Hiya OP!
Thanks for the question. The Programme Leader for our BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology programme has asked us to post this response which she hopes you will find useful in your decision-making process.
Applying to study on a joint honour Criminology and Sociology degree is a great choice and should allow you to really explore the social world and the way it impacts upon people’s lives while observing widening trends of crime and deviance, inequalities and opportunities.
The Criminology and Sociology programme within LJMU offers an exciting, student-focused curriculum based on each academic’s cutting-edge research.
As a developing critical social scientist, you will be encouraged to be critical of hierarchical structures that can abuse powers in order to claim one group as inferior/undeserving/lesser and another as superior/deserving and worthy.
The Criminology and Sociology programme at LJMU also prioritises the ways in which we can use our knowledge and understanding in a way that benefits our wider community by placing importance in the application to the real-world. Therefore, alongside some of the more traditional modules that you might see across the different universities, there are also opportunities in LJMU to engage in relevant work-based learning, and a chance to study abroad as part of your degree. Students also have the opportunity in their second year to conduct international fieldwork, which in previous years has taken place in Amsterdam. This allows you to work on a case study in another country, collect evidence, interview and write a report on your findings.
What about LJMU?
LJMU is an inclusive, civic university dedicated to the student voice and experience, which prides itself in placing students at the heart of everything it does. Our support services give you access to specialists in study skills, wellbeing, employability and a range of welfare support open to every single student which really helps ensure success in everything you put your mind to.
Sociology and Criminology is taught within the School of Humanities and Social Science, based in the John Foster Building in our Mount Pleasant campus. You have access to all our facilities including a dedicated library, and you’re only a short distance from the Student Life Building which hosts a gym, café facilities, student support services and other vital, dedicated services.
Ultimately this is your decision, and you need to choose the university that you feel will best support you and satisfy your interests in the subject. I would suggest that you talk to academics from both courses and learn a little more about their course content as well as the support you will get as a student. Maybe class size is something to also ask about and go to their clearing open days if you can. Our Clearing Open House event takes place on Saturday 17th August. We also have Open Days taking place in the autumn for September 2025 entry.
Our open days give you the opportunity to meet with past/present students too so you can get a real ‘feel’ for the place and their personal experiences studying at LJMU.
The more informed you are the more likely you are to make the right choice for you. We wish you the best in your search and if LJMU is the one you choose, we will be happy to welcome you in induction week.
Any other questions, please feel free to let me know and I'd be happy to help - and good luck with finding your place in Clearing!
Charlotte
Liverpool John Moores University