BA (Hons) Media and Criminology

If you’re thinking about studying BA (Hons) Media and Criminology at the University of Derby, this is your chance to gain real-world experience, hands-on skills, and access to the latest tools that employers look for.

This course blends creativity with social insight — giving you the chance to explore how media shapes society while understanding the systems that deal with crime and justice.

You’ll experience a genuine mix of practical projects, real-world settings, and professional-standard facilities.

How you’ll learn and apply your skills:

• Work on real projects: Get involved in multiplatform advertising, content creation, film festivals, screening events, PR and promotional campaigns, and even media research with local and national employers.

• Build essential media skills: Learn how to write for the web, manage blogs and social media, create scripts, and produce and edit digital video content.

• Gain criminology insights from professionals: Your lecturers bring direct experience from roles in policing, probation, youth justice, mental health, and law, helping you connect theory to the realities of the justice system.

• Learn through diverse teaching methods: Classes combine lectures, interactive seminars, group projects, workshops, film screenings, tutorials and guided project work — making learning dynamic and collaborative.

• Study in shared learning spaces: You’ll work alongside students from law, criminology and policing in well-equipped lecture theatres, seminar rooms and modern social learning areas.

• Access excellent resources: Students have praised how easy it is to use the course’s specialist resources — with 87% saying the equipment, facilities and software were readily available and supported their learning.

This degree doesn’t just prepare you for exams — it prepares you for the real world. You’ll graduate with the confidence, creativity and professional experience to make your mark in both media and criminology-related careers.

If you choose to study BA (Hons) Media and Criminology at the University of Derby, you’ll be opening up a fascinating and flexible career path. This joint-honours degree positions you perfectly for roles that bridge both the criminal justice system and the world of media and communications. Graduates often go on to careers such as youth justice officer, communications or content executive, police or probation service investigator, or digital media producer — combining analytical thinking with creative communication skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At Derby, your career development is a key focus from day one. The Employability & Careers Service offers tailored support including CV and portfolio clinics, interview preparation, and exclusive access to their job-match portal, helping you connect directly with employers.

The university is proud that around 96% of Derby graduates are in work or further study, reflecting its strong employability record. This success is further supported by Derby’s Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, highlighting outstanding teaching and graduate outcomes.

You’ll also benefit from close links with industry and local agencies. On the criminology side, you’ll engage with organisations such as police constabularies, youth offending teams, courts, and prisons, giving you real-world insight and professional experience.

On the media side, Derby graduates have progressed into diverse fields including television, public relations, marketing, journalism, publishing, and multiplatform content production — industries that value the ability to communicate stories that matter.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be equipped for roles across both public sector services (like probation, youth justice or community rehabilitation) and creative industries (like digital advertising, media research or content production).

Further Academic Progression

After completing this degree, many students choose to deepen their expertise through postgraduate study. You could advance into a master’s in Criminal Justice & Criminology, Media and Communications, or Digital Content Production. If you’re interested in education, a PGCE could also prepare you for a rewarding career in teaching media or social sciences.