Students on this course will study the causes and different types of crime, the criminal justice system in Ireland and the operation of the penal system.
Criminal motivation and the underlying societal causes of crime are also examined. Professional state organisations and privately owned companies are looking for potential candidates who can demonstrate an interest in and a proven ability to work in social and community care and in criminology.
Please note the above course descriptor is subject to change.
A minimum of 5 passes at ordinary level in the Leaving Certificate or its equivalent.
OR
Leaving Certificate Vocational, Leaving Certificate Applied or QQI Level 4 qualifications.
The Leaving Certificate is not a requirement for mature students and appropriate experience can be
considered as being equivalent to the Leaving Certificate.
All applicants will be invited to an Applicant Information Meeting.
Disclaimer: The college reserves the right to make any alterations to any programme as might be required. Where there is insufficient enrolment a course may be cancelled.
For information on all relevant higher education links visit www.qqi.ie , www.cao.ie and the websites of the relevant higher education institutions. Intending applicants are advised at all times to confirm linked awards, any additional module requirements, applications processes and scoring systems with the Admission Offices of the participating Higher Education Institutions or visit www.cao.ie
Full-time Courses:
Overseas Courses:
Upon successful completion of the year, your QQI qualification will allow you to seek employment in the following areas:
“In Ballsbridge College I studied Criminology and Social Studies. Completing this course was how I got my place in University of Stirling. Early in the year I got a conditional offer for the course which gave me specific grades to achieve. Career guidance was available while I was applying to help with my application, and my teachers were always willing to have a chat or go over something I wasn’t sure on.
I believe the work experience that I took part in was an incredible experience and added to my personal development. I was a part of the college Erasmus programme to Amsterdam with a number of other students. During my time on the Erasmus programme I developed skills and made friends with students from other classes in the college.
The course was a great help to me in achieving my goal and the teachers were always helpful to me. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Ballsbridge College to anyone.”
“I attended Ballsbridge College of Further Education for the academic year 2020/2021 and I recently graduated with a QQI Level 5 Certificate in Community Health Services. I cannot recommend the Criminology and Social Studies course highly enough. I had and continue to have, a keen interest in criminology and criminal law, so I found these modules thoroughly enjoyable and they met all my expectations.
That said, one of my favourite modules was Media Analysis, which broadened my thinking abilities and perspectives. The lecturers were all very knowledgeable and professional and they encouraged participation from everyone in the class. The class came from varying backgrounds and sharing our stories and life experiences enriched the whole learning experience. I feel that the lecturers, the content and shared learning with class mates enabled me to achieve my best potential, and I gained confidence and competence in writing and presentation skills. The knowledge I gained from the Word Processing module is invaluable and I will use these skills throughout my career.
This course helped me to achieve my life time career ambition and I will be forever grateful and indebted to all the lecturers & staff in Ballsbridge College of Further Education. As an additional bonus I made lifelong friends with lecturers and class mates. Thank you Ballsbridge College of Further Education.”
“My time in Ballsbridge was one to remember, I met some amazing people there in the course, full of diversity. The lecturers were in a league of their own too. Always willing to go the extra mile with their students to help them reach their goals and potential. During my time in Ballsbridge I was actually in a recruitment process for the Gardaí.
While the process had taken some time to complete, I used my course in my interview for the Gardaí, showing them that I’d an interest in their line of work and wasn’t just applying for the sake of it. I believe it did help me in my interview as it served like “icing on the cake” I’ll say, because it provoked the interview board to dig deeper with questions. I would recommend the Criminology and Social Studies course for anyone wishing to seek a career with the Gardaí in the future, it definitely helped me.”
