Business and Management and Criminology

As a student of a Business and Management and Criminology degree at Bath Spa you’ll develop practical and professional skills that you can apply in a variety of careers. 

In your Criminology studies, you’ll look at crime from a variety of angles and perspectives. Core modules focus on the main theories, debates, issues and research problems in criminology and criminal justice.
Your Business and Management modules will give you a broad understanding of the world of business, and over the course of your studies you’ll have the flexibility to choose optional modules in both Criminology and Business, enabling you to develop your particular areas of interest. 

Year one
Gain a broad understanding of today’s business environments – trends in commercial thinking, audience and consumer research, the importance of data in business, and issues such as gender, diversity and identity.

Discover the key concepts, theories and issues of criminology, criminal law and criminal justice agencies and institutions.

You’ll learn to look at the world through a different lens – one which lays the foundation for you to innovate in your second and final years.

Year two
In your second year, you’ll focus on the inner workings of businesses, and use business techniques to solve problems.
You’ll study contemporary debates in criminology and criminal justice, including a specific focus on policing.

You’ll have the opportunity to choose modules based on your particular areas of interest, and start developing the abilities that employers look for, such as strong presentational skills, effective group working, self-reflection and self-improvement.

At the end of the year, you can choose to embark on a ten-week summer placement, and/or a ten-month business placement – applying what you’ve learned so far in the real world.

Year three
In your final year you’ll have further opportunities to tailor your studies, with more in-depth research and project-work in the areas that interest you.

During this year, you’ll focus more and more on practical ways to apply your skills, and you’ll be able to confidently demonstrate the abilities you’ve gained during all three years of the course.

We use a mix of traditional and contemporary assessments, including essays, book reviews, exams, portfolios, creative work, projects, group work, computer-based simulations, podcasts and videos.

You’ll be taught by a team of experienced industry professionals, researchers and experts in their fields. You’ll participate in a wide variety of activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one tutorials. There's also a good blend of online activities using our Virtual Learning Environment. The majority of your lectures will be recorded, for your future reference. We also invite visiting speakers to talk about their experiences.

You’ll be given personalised support in your studies – we have a dedicated and approachable team of academics, committed to helping you achieve your goals, and we take pride in our innovative and engaging modules that inspire and challenge.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

We encourage you to take advantage of placement opportunities in your second and third year, so you can apply your learning in real world contexts. 
We have excellent links with local criminal justice organisations including local police services and prisons, as well as regional and national businesses.

Our Business and Management and Criminology degree is designed for students with an inquisitive nature, who are keen to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them, and who want to find creative ways to approach the issues affecting society.

Our course will equip you to think critically, solve problems and work with others - essential skills for a wide variety of careers, and for the flexible approach to the future that we all need to develop.

Our graduates have been employed in a wide range of careers, including:

• Crime prevention 
• Security
• Criminal justice system
• Police service
• Prison and probation service
• Charities
• Counter-terrorism
• Civil service
• Marketing
• Management
• Retail (management/merchandising/buying)
• Finance 
• Consultancy
• HR

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

You'll be taught at our Newton Park campus, which is located on the edge of Bath and offers a blend of modern and eighteenth-century buildings, with good access to the city while being nestled in the countryside. From your lectures, you’ll be able to visit the library, the Students’ Union, and access our student information and support teams, as well as many of our cutting edge facilities. 

• Our Library offers a wealth of learning resources including books, journals, DVDs and an extensive range of electronic services. Our Subject Librarians for Business Management and Criminology provide subject-specific support, including help with research.
• The Writing and Learning Centre provides support for your academic work, including feedback on written drafts and other help with academic writing.
• Our Virtual Learning Environment provides online access to learning materials such as lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources. 
• The Careers team run networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying. When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.
• You’ll have free access to thousands of business, design and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.
• If English isn't your first language, our English Language Unit can help you improve your English, reach your full potential and boost your confidence.
• Our Student Wellbeing Services are available to support you through your learning.