BA (Hons) Criminology with Cybercrime with Foundation Year (NEW)

Course Overview

Do you want to become a cybercrime specialist but need to build your academic confidence ahead of your studies? Arden BA (Hons) Criminology with Cybercrime with Foundation Year will provide you with the support you need to succeed, followed by in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system and the latest cybersecurity developments across the UK and globally.

The course takes a modern, digital-first, and global approach to the study of criminology and cybercrime, equipping you with cutting-edge transferable skills. You’ll cover all the essentials of criminology, with a specialised focus on cybercrime and security from an international perspective, preparing you for potential careers focusing on cybercrime such as policing, probation, fraud prevention, counter-terrorism, cybercrime prevention, digital forensics, and more.

This course has been developed by experienced lecturers with in-depth knowledge of the issues you’ll be studying. They’ve designed your course syllabus to cover the latest trends, events, and advancements in the field, helping you graduate with the modern skills needed to find employment in the sector. You’ll also have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers with backgrounds varying from cybersecurity professionals to reformed ex-offenders, giving you an inside look into the field and helping you start creating industry links long before you complete your degree.

This course shares its foundation year and Level 4 modules with Arden BA (Hons) Criminology. After completing your first two years of study, you’ll have the option to switch over to the standard criminology pathway if it better matches your career goals.

Entry requirements

At Arden University applications are consider on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – Arden team is more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Arden BA (Hons) Criminology with Cybercrime with Foundation Year, you should normally have:

At least 3 x GCSEs or 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent. If your qualifications are older than 3 years, Arden will also ask to see a professional CV.
If you do not meet these requirements, you may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of professional work experience evidenced by a CV and reference.
Arden also offer this course as a standard bachelor’s degree without foundation year.

Course fee

International Fee	Fee
fee per level:	£4000

UK Fee	Fee
fee per level:	£6,935

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English, can be accepted.

Arden also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (Arden recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

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Course details and modules

Arden’s foundation year modules have been designed to give you a tailored and fully supportive introduction to university study. This first year of study will prepare you for success in higher education by introducing you to the academic skills and subject-specific knowledge required to excel in your chosen degree subject.

This foundation year course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to successfully complete a full undergraduate degree in criminology with cybercrime, even if you’ve been out of education for some time or don’t meet the requirements for standard entry. You’ll develop key academic skills needed for university study in areas such as maths, data, research, presentation, academic referencing, and more.

Demand for cybersecurity professionals in the UK increased by 58% just last year*, and the cyber security sectoral analysis 2022 confirms that the sector’s skills gaps more than tripled with its revenue rising to over £10 billion in the UK alone. This course has been designed with a clear applied focus to help you fill these growing industry gaps. With its digital-first, global approach to your learning, you’ll graduate with the up-to-date, real-world skills you need to succeed in this thriving sector.

How do Arden University assess students?

AU assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Modules

You have between 4 to 12 years to complete this course, which means you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of Arden students, however, aim to complete their studies within 4 to 6 years.

Your studies will begin by reviewing key preparatory academic study skills, followed by an introduction to both criminology and cybercrime at Level 4. At Level 5, you will have the opportunity to choose one of these pathways, in which your remaining modules will help you learn the latest sector-specific skills needed by employers.

Foundation year modules

Preparing for University Success
Exploring the Social World
Advancing your Academic Skills
Examining Social Justice
Planning for Your Future Success
Investigation & Innovation Project

Level 4

Becoming a Criminologist (20 credits)
A History of Crime and Punishment (20 credits)
Crime, Media, and Culture (20 credits)
Cybercrime: The Essentials (20 credits)
Policing Priorities (20 credits)
Working within the Criminal Justice System (20 credits)

Level 5

Researching the Field (20 credits)
Youth Crime and Justice (20 credits)
Defending the Realm (20 credits)
Crimes of the Powerful (20 credits)
Cyber Espionage and Cyber Warfare (20 credits)
Organised Transnational Cybercrime (20 credits)

Level 6

Professional Practice: A Case Study (20 credits)
Digital Forensics (20 credits)
Terrorism Online: Radicalisation and Propaganda (20 credits)
Responding to Global Cyber Emergencies (20 credits)
Research Project (40 credits)

Career prospects

This course provides you with both the foundations you need for further study in the field, as well as a range of universal, transferable skills that will allow you to apply your knowledge across diverse sectors.

What can I do after Arden University?

By earning a degree in criminology, you’ll be well-positioned for a range of exciting opportunities once you graduate. As well as the possibility of continuing on to further study at the master’s level, your degree will open doors in areas such as:

Fraud prevention
Counter-terrorism
Cybercrime prevention
Digital forensics.
Criminal justice system (police, prison, or probation)
Criminal investigative services
Government, social, or community services
Voluntary sector
Working with charities
NGOs (non-governmental organisations)
Work with the home office or in education

What will the BA (Hons) Criminology with Cybercrime with Foundation Year do for me?

You’ll graduate from this course with real practical insight into today’s evolving criminology field that you’ll be able to apply immediately to your future role. Just some of the things you’ll learn include:

The knowledge and academic study skills needed to succeed at university.
Key issues within criminology with a specialised focus on cybercrime.
In-depth knowledge of global cybersecurity issues, including the most up-to-date developments in areas such as digital forensics, the dark web, and online terrorism.
How to detect and deter cybercrime activity and the challenges it poses to criminal justice agencies, businesses, and governments.
The modern skills to fill industry gaps in today’s growing cybercrime sector.

During your Foundation Year, you’ll get comprehensive support and preparation for your university journey, including:

Introduction and preparation: Arden Foundation Year courses introduce you to university-level teaching, learning, and assessment methods. You’ll develop essential study skills, research techniques, and critical thinking abilities, laying a strong foundation for your degree studies.

Personalised support: Arden academic staff will guide you throughout your Foundation Year. They’ll ensure a smooth transition into your degree programme, providing the support you need every step of the way.

Direct relevance to your future degree: your programme content is carefully designed to align with Arden’s degree courses. Studying a Foundation Year will equip you with subject-specific knowledge and interdisciplinary exploration, establishing a solid base for your chosen degree.

Improved degree outcomes: Arden prioritise not only your academic preparation but also your success. By boosting your confidence, academic skills, and understanding of the subjects, Arden empower you to achieve the best possible degree outcomes and expand your career opportunities.

Part-time online learning

How does it work?

Studying the BA (Hons) Criminology with Cybercrime with Foundation Year online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

Arden online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at university. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with like-minded students who you can meet with through Arden Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. You’ll also have access to Arden online online Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on Arden fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Learn more about online learning

Introducing your Digital Backpack

Once you’ve enrolled on your Criminology with Cybercrime with Foundation Year degree with Arden you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources Arden have put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.

Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:

Office 365 subscription
Integrated zoom video conferencing
Careers support available through Arden Futures, your careers platform, to help you throughout your career journey whether you are a Career Starter, Changer or Developer
Free online access to Arden Library Portal, which includes thousands of eBooks and journals, as well as industry databases which Arden’ve carefully hand-picked to support your studies – all yours for free while you study with us
Subscription to Togetherall for an abundance of mental health support