BA CRIMINOLOGY

What drives people to commit crime, and how should society respond? Our BA in Criminology — one of only two single-major criminology degrees in the Republic of Ireland — draws on sociology, psychology, anthropology and law to explore everything from policing to prisons and beyond.

November Open Days Download our Prospectus
Qualification
Bachelor Of Arts Degree
CAO Points
380
CAO/MU Apply code
MH504
Award Type and NFQ level
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
01 February 2027
Jump to
CAO Hub

Overview

Criminology can be described as the study of crime, criminal behaviour and society’s reaction to it.

In this unique, three-year interdisciplinary degree programme, you will study criminology in depth, equipping you with the skills to examine criminal behaviour and understand what drives it.

You will study perspectives from:

  • sociology
  • psychology
  • anthropology
  • law

Maynooth University is one of only two universities in the Republic of Ireland offering the opportunity to study Criminology as a single major degree.

  • In first year, students acquire a thorough theoretical understanding of crime, both in an international and Irish context.
  • This is built on in second and third year when students take core modules in subjects such as prisons and policing, as well as optional modules in line with their interests.
  • You will learn from leading international experts in the field with research interests in prisons, policing, restorative justice, gender, ethnicity, human trafficking, victimology, terrorism and mental health.

Course structure

Duration: 3 years (4 with Erasmus/Study Abroad)

First year

  • 30 credits of Criminology (group 2 and group 7)
  • Up to 2 other subjects (1 of which may be Critical Skills) from the remaining subject groups Subject Groups

Second year

  • At least 50 credits of Criminology
  • Optional 10 credit Elective
  • Optional work placement or study abroad after second year – subject to availability. The University will support you in the search for a placement job; however, the process is competitive.
  • Students who take at least 15 credits of Law in first year of MH504, and who pass first year, are eligible to transfer into year 2 of the MH502 BCL Law and Criminology degree or year 2 of the MH501 LLB degree.

Third year

  • 60 credits of Criminology

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.

Year 1

LW1CF30 - Criminology

Credits: 30  |  Compulsory

Criminology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW183

7.5

2

Y

LW166

7.5

1

Y

LW165

7.5

2

Y

LW182

7.5

1

Y

AC1F15 - Accounting

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Accounting modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AC152

7.5

2

Y

AC151

7.5

1

Y

AN1V30 - Anthropology

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN169

7.5

2

Y

AN167

7.5

1

Y

AN170

7.5

2

N

AN171

7.5

1

N

CN1F15 - Chinese Studies For Non Beginners

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Chinese Studies For Non Beginners modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CN181

7.5

1

Y

CN182

7.5

2

Y

CL1F15 - Classical Studies

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Classical Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GC151

7.5

1

Y

GC152

7.5

2

Y

CS1V30 - Computer Science

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Computer Science modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CS192

7.5

2

N

CS181

7.5

1

Y

CS182

7.5

2

Y

CS191

7.5

1

N

EC1F15 - Economics

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Economics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EC103

7.5

2

Y

EC101

7.5

1

Y

EN1V30 - English

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

English modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EN106

7.5

1

N

EN107

7.5

2

N

EN101

7.5

1

Y

EN102

7.5

2

Y

FN1F15 - Finance

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Finance modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EC103

7.5

2

Y

EC101

7.5

1

Y

FR1F15 - French For Non-Beginners

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

French For Non-Beginners modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

FR181

7.5

1

Y

FR182

7.5

2

Y

GY1V30 - Geography

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Geography modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GY161

7.5

1

N

GY162

7.5

2

N

GY151

7.5

1

N

GY152

7.5

2

N

KD1V30 - International Development

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

International Development modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

KD156

7.5

2

Y

KD158

7.5

2

N

KD159

7.5

1

N

KD157

7.5

1

Y

LW1V30 - Law

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Law modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW158

5

2

N

LW152

5

1

N

LW157

5

2

Y

LW155

2.5

1

Y

LW156

2.5

2

Y

LW153

2.5

1

N

LW151

5

1

Y

LW177

2.5

2

N

MP1F15 - Mathematical Physics

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Mathematical Physics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MP110

7.5

1

Y

MP112

7.5

2

Y

MS1F15 - Mathematical Studies

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Mathematical Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MT105A

7.5

1

Y

ST122

5

2

Y

MT112A

2.5

2

Y

MD1FF15 - Media, Film & Cultural Studies

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Media, Film & Cultural Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MD160

7.5

1

Y

MD161

7.5

2

Y

SG1F15 - Medieval Celtic Studies

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Medieval Celtic Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SG151

7.5

1

Y

SG152

7.5

2

Y

MU1V30 - Music

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Music modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MU102A

5

1

Y

MU101A

2.5

1

Y

MU101B

2.5

2

Y

MU153

7.5

1

N

MU154

7.5

2

N

MU102B

5

2

Y

MU1TF15 - Music Technology

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Music Technology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MU159

7.5

2

Y

MU158

7.5

1

Y

NG1V30 - Nua-Ghaeilge

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Nua-Ghaeilge modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

NG154

7.5

1

N

NG153

7.5

2

N

NG151

7.5

1

Y

NG152

7.5

2

Y

PO1F15 - Politics

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Politics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PO151

7.5

2

Y

PO152

7.5

1

Y

PS1F15 - Psychological Studies

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Psychological Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PS150

7.5

1

Y

PS151

7.5

2

Y

SO1F15 - Sociology

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Sociology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SO156

7.5

2

Y

SO152

7.5

1

Y

SPA1F15 - Spanish For Non-Beginners

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Spanish For Non-Beginners modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA181

7.5

1

Y

SPA182

7.5

2

Y

ST1F15 - Statistics

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Statistics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

DS151

7.5

1

Y

DS152

7.5

2

Y

SK1US2 - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK105X

7.5

2

N

SK105Y

7.5

2

N

SK1USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1051

7.5

1

N

SK1061

7.5

2

N

SK3USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1053

7.5

1

N

SK1063

7.5

2

N

SK4USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1054

7.5

1

N

SK1064

7.5

2

N

SK5USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1055

7.5

1

N

SK1065

7.5

2

N

SK6USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1056

7.5

1

N

SK1066

7.5

2

N

Year 2

LW2CSM - Criminology

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Criminology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW225

5

2

N

LW292

5

2

N

LW226

5

1

N

SO227

5

1

N

LW224

5

1

Y

PO205

5

2

N

AN217

5

1

N

LW267

5

1

N

LW272

5

1

N

LW229

5

2

N

SO240

5

2

Y

LW273

5

2

N

KD217

5

1

N

LW269

5

2

Y

LW227

5

1

Y

LW270

5

1

N

PO304

5

1

N

AC2EL - Accounting In Society

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Accounting In Society modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AC210

5

1

N

AC211

5

2

N

GC2MEL - Ancient Mythology - Epic And Tragic Tales

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Ancient Mythology - Epic And Tragic Tales modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GC231

5

1

N

GC232

5

2

N

AN2EL - Anti-Racism

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Anti-Racism modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN215

5

1

N

AN216

5

2

N

CN2BEL - Beginning Chinese

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Beginning Chinese modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CN261

5

2

N

CN260

5

1

N

FR2BEL - Beginning French

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Beginning French modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

FR260

5

1

N

FR261

5

2

N

GN2BEL - Beginning German

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Beginning German modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GN260

5

1

N

GN261

5

2

N

SPA2BEL - Beginning Spanish

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Beginning Spanish modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA260

5

1

N

SPA261

5

2

N

CAT2EL - Catalan Language And Culture

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Catalan Language And Culture modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA225

5

2

N

SPA215

5

1

N

PHY2EL - Climate Change And Sustainable Energy

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Climate Change And Sustainable Energy modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PHY260

5

1

N

PHY261

5

2

N

CN2CEL - Continuing Chinese

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Continuing Chinese modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CN281

5

1

N

CN282

5

2

N

FR2CEL - Continuing French

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Continuing French modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

FR281

5

1

N

FR282

5

2

N

GN2CEL - Continuing German

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Continuing German modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GN281

5

1

N

GN282

5

2

N

NG2CEL - Continuing Nua-Ghaeilge

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Continuing Nua-Ghaeilge modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

NG211

5

2

N

NG201

5

1

N

SPA2CEL - Continuing Spanish

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Continuing Spanish modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA281

5

1

N

SPA282

5

2

N

PD2DEL - Eden Entrepreneurship Design And Innovation

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Eden Entrepreneurship Design And Innovation modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PD217A

5

1

N

PD218A

5

2

N

MD2EL - Film And Screen Studies

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Film And Screen Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MD240

5

1

N

MD216

5

2

N

MU226

5

2

N

SPA223

5

2

N

SK2EL - Foundations In Science Writing And Communication

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Foundations In Science Writing And Communication modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK252

5

2

N

SK251

5

1

N

TH2GEL - Good And Evil

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Good And Evil modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

TH251

5

1

N

TH252

5

2

N

EN2BEL - Great Books

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Great Books modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EN280

5

1

N

EN281

5

2

N

EC2EL - Influential Ideas In Economics

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Influential Ideas In Economics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EC216

5

2

N

EC222

5

1

N

PH2LEL - Introduction To Philosophy In The Digital Age

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Introduction To Philosophy In The Digital Age modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PH221

5

2

N

PH215B

5

1

N

TESL2EL - Introduction To Teaching English Language

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Introduction To Teaching English Language modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

TESL201

5

1

N

TESL202

5

2

N

NG2IEL - Irish Cultural Heritage

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Irish Cultural Heritage modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

ID001

5

1

N

ID001X

5

2

N

ID013X

5

2

N

ID013

5

1

N

POR2EL - Portuguese Language And Culture

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Portuguese Language And Culture modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA216

5

1

N

SPA226

5

2

N

KD2AEL - Prioritising People And Planet

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Prioritising People And Planet modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN261

5

2

N

KD212

5

1

N

FR2REL - Refresh Your French

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Refresh Your French modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

FR271

5

1

N

FR272

5

2

N

PD2SEL - Service Innovation

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Service Innovation modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PD201

5

2

N

PD264

5

1

N

EX2EX - Skills For Success:professional Development

Credits: 5  |  Not compulsory

Skills For Success:professional Development modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EX202

5

2

N

EX201

5

1

N

MN2EQEL - The Growth And Development Of The Irish Equine Industry

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

The Growth And Development Of The Irish Equine Industry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MN232

5

2

N

MN230

5

1

N

SG2EL - Wondrous People And Places: An Introduction To Celtic Literature

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Wondrous People And Places: An Introduction To Celtic Literature modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SG228

5

2

N

SG256

5

1

N

Year 3

LW3CSM - Criminology

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

After Graduation

This programme allows students to explore career prospects in the criminal justice world, opening up potential careers in:

  • the Gardaí
  • security services
  • data analytics
  • probation
  • the prison service
  • the non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector
  • research institutes

The skills you will gain from studying Criminology, such as a focus on evidence and data-based inquiry, are also highly transferable to other areas, including

  • law
  • journalism
  • social research
  • social work
  • counselling
  • community work
  • policy analysis
  • public administration

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Applicants

Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7, O6/H7 in Irish, English.

DARE

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is an alternative entry route to third level education for school-leavers whose disability affected their second level education.

HEAR

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a pathway to third level education for school-leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact the Access Office for more information on these access routes.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.

Entry requirements table

Subject

Required

Ordinary Level Grade

Higher Level Grade

Irish

Yes

O6

H7

English

Yes

O6

H7

Language

No

N/A

N/A

Mathematics

No

N/A

N/A

Science

No

N/A

N/A

* This course requires 4 additional subjects.

  1. EU / EFTA Applicants - Further information can be found by navigating to our EU/EFTA applicant information page.
  2. International Applicants - International (Non-EU) applicants for undergraduate programmes submit their application online via our online application portal. Applications open on 14th October 2026 and close on 1st July 2027. For further information, please navigate to our International applicant page.

Mature applicant information

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry.

For part-time degrees the mature age is 21.

Visit our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on this page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) and require support for any required written exercise/interview/online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2027. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

Visit the Access Office for more information on available supports and required documentation.

Mature applicant deadline: 01 February 2027

Transfer option into this degree from the Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 - subject to meeting requirements.

How to apply

Apply online to the CAO (Central Applications Office)

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are.

Categories of applicant:

  • School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
  • Mature students (23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry/21 years if part-time)
  • EU/EFTA/UK students
  • International students (outside the EU)
  • QQI (Further Education) students
  • Transferring students
  • Deferring students

Learn more about undergraduate applications and access routes.

Got a question about this course?

Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/law

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