Criminology
The Criminology BA is a window into the world, giving insight into human diversity in complex societies and a textured view of our propensity to err, conflict, blame, and punish.
This contemporary course combines key topics in the social sciences and law – such as crime, deviance, morality, conflict, censure and justice – with philosophy, history, cultural studies and a language. The result is an exceptional breadth and depth of perspective and context.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 or 4 years, full-time for the International Pathway.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate entry requirements:
At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Other Language O6/H7
Arts Subjects Requirements with Points to Note
German
Students wishing to select German Non Beginners should have a minimum grade H4 in German in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take German (Beginners) are recommended to have a minimum of grade H3 in another modern continental language.
French
A Student will not normally be allowed to select French unless they have attained a pass standard in French in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent).
Italian
Students wishing to take Beginners’ Italian are recommended to have a minimum of grade H4 in another modern continental language, or Irish, or Latin, or Greek in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take Non-Beginners’ Italian are recommended to have a minimum of grade H4 in Italian in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent).
Spanish
Students wishing to take Beginners’ Spanish must have obtained a minimum grade H4 in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) in another modern continental language, or Irish, Latin or Greek OR evidence of competence equivalent to Grade H4 in a foreign language other than Spanish. Students who have studied Spanish at second level and obtained a grade below H4 can also join the Beginners’ Spanish course. Students wishing to take Non-Beginners’ Spanish must have obtained a minimum Grade H4 in Spanish in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent).
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
Students in this course will develop skills in critical thinking, comparative and cultural analysis, research methods and statistics. They will also strengthen their grasp of the role of history and examine the basis of moral justifications.
This skill set is invaluable for sensitive occupations such as:
policing
prisons
probation
social work
social administration
security work
charities
journalism
television and film
politics
community development
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 8
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 78
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
The Criminology BA is a window into the world, giving insight into human diversity in complex societies and a textured view of our propensity to err, conflict, blame, and punish.
This contemporary course combines key topics in the social sciences and law – such as crime, deviance, morality, conflict, censure and justice – with philosophy, history, cultural studies and a language. The result is an exceptional breadth and depth of perspective and context.
This is a research-driven, interdisciplinary programme that delivers an international body of knowledge, as well as research skills and critical thinking. Criminology provides a strong intellectual background for anyone thinking of working in culturally sensitive areas such as policing, prisons, social work, journalism, politics, research, care, health and justice agencies, support groups, charities, film or television.
Modules
All modules are worth 5 credits unless otherwise stated.
Year 1 Modules
CR1001 Criminology: A History and Introduction
CR1002 Criminology: Key Concepts, Studies and Issues (10 credits)
CR1003 Introduction to the Psychology of Crime
CR1006 Criminal Law and Social Control
SC1012 Introduction to Sociology (Part A)
SC1017 Key Issues in Sociology (Part B)
LW1169 Introduction to the Legal System for Criminology
Plus students choose one 15-credit option from the following:
- French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Irish (15 credits)
- PH1001 Introduction to Philosophy (15 credits)
Philosophy
Government and Politics ( GV1217, GV1204, GV1207 - 15 credits)
GV1204 Democracy, Ideology and Utopia
GV1207 Politics and Government of Ireland
GV1217 Introduction to Political Science
Please go to the individual subject pages for a list of first-year modules to find out more information.
Year 2 Modules
CR2001 Contemporary Criminological Theory
SC2021 Sociology of Crime and Deviance
SC2065 Introduction to Social Research
Electives*
The criminology electives are the following: Women, Confinement and Social Control in Ireland; Crime, Urbanization and Cities; Policing Modern Society; Victims and Victimology; Young People, Trauma and the Criminal Justice System; Prisons in Practice; Online Hackers and Cyber-deviants; The Global Trade in Illicit Drugs and Its Regulation; Inside-Out Criminal Justice and Social Justice;
Students can also take electives in French; Gaeilge/Irish; German; Hispanic Studies; Italian; Philosophy; Government; Geography; History; Sociology; Law; and more.
*Please note that modules are subject to availability and not all of these modules run every year.
Year 3 Modules
CR3001 Research Methods for Criminology
CR3010 Crime, Justice and Policy (10 credits)
Electives You can take some modules on offer from Year 2 as well as modules on:
Corporate Crime; Dissertation in Criminology; Abolitionism: Critical carceral studies.
Students can also take electives in French; Gaeilge/Irish; German; Hispanic Studies; Italian; Philosophy; Government; History; Sociology; and more.
Note Students may opt to spend their third year studying at a partner institution abroad if they are registered on the BA Criminology (International Pathway).
Dr John O'Brien
johnobrien@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 2903
https://www.ucc.ie/en/criminology/