Sustainable Development and Criminology BA (Hons)
Course code D44C
What is special about this course?
The world is facing the prospect of a climate emergency, with decision-makers grappling with how to understand and respond to the pressures on our environment and society. Sustainable Development, from the local to the global, is essential if society is to tackle the challenges faced. The necessary changes will impact on every facet of society, culture and the economy; this is a critical moment to study sustainability.
Criminology draws on a wide range of human and social science disciplines and is both a theoretical and empirical subject, with many of criminology’s most significant advances achieved through empirical studies. Core to this BA (Hons) Sustainable Development and Criminology programme are the development of clear and confident research methods and analysis skills.
You will develop a critical understanding of the local, national and international contexts of crime, offenders, victimisation and responses to crime (including cybercrime). You will also expand your knowledge and critical understanding of the three pillars of sustainability (social, environmental, economic), learn the facts about climate change, explore the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and consider potential and emerging solutions such as the Green New Deals, the concept of ‘degrowth’ and the transition to wellbeing economies, leaving you ideally placed to influence, or indeed become, one of the decision-makers.
Delivered online by blended learning and available to study from home, you will benefit from collaborative discussions and activities with colleagues from a range of diverse backgrounds and experiences, facilitated by tutors with many years of experience in delivering online education.
Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.
Special features
- The opportunity to combine the study of the social world, environment and economics, with the study of crime and its control
- Join a course which can be studied from home anywhere in the world, full or part-time to suit your circumstances
- Delivered by tutors with years of experience of teaching at a distance, offering a high level of support
- Online learning materials available 24/7 via laptops, tablets or mobiles, including reading, videos and podcasts
- Optional study field trip to Iceland as well as opportunities for a student society residential trip in the Scottish Highlands
Entry requirements
- 3 Scottish Highers at grades BBC or above or
- 2 A levels at grades BC or above
- At least 2 should be from the list of required subjects
- Additional qualifications and experiences will be considered on an individual basis
Advanced entry
- HNC Social Science (12 SCQF credits) with 3 additional SCQF credits at level 7, which is equivalent to 120 degree credit points, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit, will be considered for direct entry to year two
Year 1 - CertHE
You will study the following modules:
- Exploring economics in a changing world (S2)
- Introduction to criminological theory (S2)
- Understanding sustainable development (S1)
- Understanding the social world (S1)
You will also choose two further option modules from other humanities subjects.
Year 2 - DipHE
You will study the following modules:
Sustainable development
- Approaches to economic development (S1)
- Empowering communities (S1)
Criminology
- History of crime and punishment (S1)
- Practical research and analysis skills (S2)
You will also choose two further option modules from across the Humanities subject area, which includes our optional international field trip module, 'Sustainable development approaches in an international context'.
Year 3 - BA
You will usually study the following modules:
Sustainable development
- Globalisation and sustainable development (S1)
- Sustainable tourism and the environment (S2)
You will also choose three of the following modules:
Sustainable development
- Sustainable tourism and the environment (S2) OR Advanced social research methods (S1)
Criminology
- Gender, crime and justice (S2) OR Strange cases: crime literature and the construction of crime (S2)
- Psychology of criminal justice (S1) OR Victimology (S1)
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
You will complete a dissertation in either Sustainable Development or Criminology.
You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject plus three option modules from the other subject.
Sustainable development
- Agroecology: regenerative food systems (S2)
- Geo-political development issues (S1)
- Social enterprise and the social economy (S1)
- The consumerist society (S2)
Criminology
- Cultural criminology (S1)
- Globalisation of crime (S1)
- The darker side of the internet (S2)
- Understanding violence in sport (S2)
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Part-time modular (standalone modules)
- This course is mainly delivered online with scheduled sessions and tutorials
- Live tutorial sessions are scheduled each week; they are usually recorded and made available to view later if you're unable to attend at the scheduled time
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You will have the option to take part in an online induction in September/January
- You may have the opportunity to undertake an optional residential in year 2 if you choose the international field trip module, Sustainable development approaches in an international context, which involves a field trip to Iceland
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 36 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ up to 20 hours per week
- Part-time modular (standalone modules): variable
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll
- North, West and Hebrides
- This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the world
- Students based near to one of the listed campuses should apply to, and be enrolled and supported by, their local campus
- All other students should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, UHI North, West and Hebrides
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
Rest of the UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,120 | £6,420 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,020 | £1,070 |
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK studying online from their home country, or living in the UK but assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:
This includes EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK and EEA and Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,960 | £7,080 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,160 | £1,180 |
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
This course includes an option to attend student society residential trips and an optional international field trip to Iceland. You will be required to pay a contribution towards the cost of the residential and international trips. Further information is available upon request. Attendance at such face to face events is optional and not essential for completion of the course.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your BA (Hons) Sustainable Development and Criminology course, you might like to consider careers in:
- Government departments and development agencies
- Economic development departments of local authorities
- Community enterprises and community energy groups
- Community land initiatives
- Natural and rural heritage organisations
- Voluntary sector development posts
- International non-governmental organisations
- Independent consultancy on sustainability
Can I progress into further study?
You may wish to progress from BA (Hons) Sustainable Development and Criminology to the following courses:
- MSc Sustainable Mountain Development
- MSc Sustainability and Rural Regeneration
- MSc Net Zero Communities
- MSc Sustainable Energy Solutions
- MLitt Island Studies
- MLitt Archaeological Studies
- MLitt Highlands and Islands Literature
- MLitt Scottish Heritage
- MLitt Viking Studies
- MSc Interpretation: Management and Practice
- MSc Archaeological Practice
- MSc Tourism
- MA Health and Wellbeing
- MEd Tertiary and Higher Education
- MSc Leadership and Management
- Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
- MSc Applied Social Sciences: Globalisation and Crime
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
If you are considering studying at UHI, I would say don’t hesitate! The course is interesting and well-structured, the support from lecturers is excellent and there are many varied opportunities to work with other students while studying online. The best part about being in the Highlands is that it is a fantastic place to live – either in the city or rurally. It really does have the best of both worlds!
Louise studied Sustainable development at UHI North, West and Hebrides.
Apply for Sustainable Development and Criminology BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.