BA Criminology is a three-year undergraduate degree program which involves the practice and application of principles linked to crime in order to investigate and solve it. This undergraduate course is interdisciplinary in nature, and may be a challenging one. The subjects that students get to study while pursuing this course include Fundamentals of Criminology, Criminal Psychology, Police Science and Forensic Science, Laws of Crime and Minor Acts, Police Administration and Procedural Law and Forensic Medicine.
To be eligible to apply to this course, students must have passed Class 12 or equivalent in a relevant discipline from a recognized board with an aggregate of at least 50% marks. Admission to this course will be done based on the candidate's performance in the Class 12 exams. The average tuition fee charged by colleges or universities for this course in India lies anywhere between INR 9,000 and 1,20,000 per annum. The fee varies as per the type of the institution.
After completing this course, students will be able to find work in various private and public sectors as a Crime Investigator, Social Worker, Counsellor, Prison Manager, Law Enforcement Officer, and Private Detective. They may also enter the profession of teaching and/or further research. Average initial salary offered to a Criminology degree holder ranges somewhere between INR 3,00,000 and 4,00,000 per annum, which may increase with the number of years of work experience and knowledge in the field
Highlights for BA Criminology program are provided in the table given below:
| Course Level | Graduation |
| Full Form | Bachelor of Arts in Criminology |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Examination Type | Annual/ Semester |
| Eligibility | Passed Class 12 or equivalent (preferably in a Science or Arts stream) from a recognized board with a minimum score of 50% |
| Admission Process | Merit-based |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 9,000 - 1,20,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3,00,000 - 4,00,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | ICICI Bank, Wipro, Infosys, South Indian Bank, Federal Bank, SAP labs Accenture, Textron, Cognizant, Oracle etc. |
| Job Positions | Crime Investigator, Social Worker, Counsellor, Prison Manager, Law Enforcement Officer, Private Detective, Forensic Specialist etc. |
Information and details about the BA Criminology program are as follows.
- This course basically focuses on understanding criminal behaviour and deeds, and the causes and impacts of a crime on the victim and society.
- Criminology is the scientific study of crimes along with its legal aspects, causes, impacts, and measures for control and restoration.
- Graduands may also learn about the crime statistics of India and the world as well as about the criminal justice systems, which includes the evaluation of criminal justice agencies, penology, criminal careers, and desistance.
- Besides the theoretical side of the course, the curriculum may also involve laboratorial aspect, which takes place in labs that are entitled for criminology studies where several manifestations are shown.
- Candidates who are passionate in fighting against crime and seeking justice, and those possessing observational, analytical and research skills may find it easier to accomplish this degree with perfection.
Why Study BA Criminology?
BA Criminology course is one of the most sought after courses in India in terms of personal growth and career growth opportunities. The course has many benefits attached to it. Some of the benefits and perks of pursuing this course are given below.
- Being a job-oriented course, it helps foster observational, research, analytical, psychological, sociological, verbal and writing skills.
- Graduands get an in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system and develop skills to analyse data, determine the cause of a crime, and come up with measures to prevent crimes.
- Covering various topics such as Crime Analysis, Victimology, Culture and Crime, Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society, and Juvenile Delinquency, students learn to solve a crime using scientific methods and get entry-level jobs like forensic specialists, private investigators, and law enforcement officers.
- Candidates who enjoy working and interacting with several people may take up corrections officers, counselors, or rehabilitation officers.
- The course offers a handsome salary package ranging from INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 or higher.
- The course opens up various career opportunities in front of students. Students can choose to work in top-notch companies. Apart from this, yet another option for students is to pursue higher education.
What is the BA Criminology Admission Process 2024?
Admission to this course will be done based on the candidate's performance in the qualifying examination i.e. Class 12 exams. In merit-based selection, marks obtained by a candidate in the qualifying examinations are considered for offering admission into the course. The various steps involved in the admission process are given below.
- Registration: Registration date opens up annually and announcements are made in advance by the colleges. Registration will be done online where a profile needs to be created.
- Filling up of application form: Once a profile has been created, login and start the application process. Fill up the application form with past educational achievements, job experience, internships and projects done etc.
- Scan and upload documents: Documents like mark sheets, photograph, signature and transfer certificates must be scanned and uploaded online to the portal. All documents must be in a specific format and size only to be accepted.
- Application fee: A minimal application fee has to be paid to process the application. Payment can be done using online payment methods.
- Admission: Colleges take a couple of weeks to process applications. If a candidate meets the cut offs and all other criteria then an offer letter for admission is released.
What is the BA Criminology Eligibility Criteria?
Students who wish to pursue a BA Criminology course must fulfil the following eligibility criteria.
- Candidates who have completed their Class 12 or equivalent, with an aggregate of 50% marks are eligible to enroll for this program.
- Candidates who have taken a Science or Arts stream for their higher secondary education are preferred.
- 5% relaxation in marks will be given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), differently abled, and other categories.
- There is no specific age limit for this course.
Which are the top BA Criminology Entrance Exams?
There are only a few colleges which conduct an entrance test for admission to the Bachelor of Criminology course. The examination mostly has a duration of 2 to 3 hours during which the students are required to attempt objective type questions. The examination details are released by the colleges every year.
| Exam Name | Application Period (Tentative) | Exam Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| CUET | February 2024 – March 2024 |
May 15 - 31, 2024 |
| NPAT | December, 2023 – May, 2024 | January, 2024 – May, 2024 |
| IPU CET | March 2024 – April 2024 | April 2024 |
How to Prepare for BA Criminology Entrance Exams?
Some of the important points that candidates can keep in mind while preparing for BA Criminology entrance exams are given below:
- Syllabus: Students must go through the syllabus of the course and mark all the important topics from syllabus
- Revise important topics: Revise all the important topics from the syllabus. Make sure to solve all questions that are related to the important topics.
- Practice Previous Year’s Question Papers: Solve previous year’s question paper so that you can get use to the question and it will also help in increasing your speed as the exam will be in online mode
- Mock Test: Candidates can solve and give the online mock test at the official website. It will increase efficiency and speed and will boost up your confidence.
How to get admission in a good BA Criminology college?
To secure admission into a top-ranked BA Criminology college, a number of factors come into play. Some of the following tips will be helpful in that regard.
- The admission process to the course is either entrance based or merit-based.
- Since most colleges enroll students on the basis of merit, candidates are advised to procure high percentages in the papers in their higher secondary schooling.
- Participation and certification in various extra-curricular activities such as clubs, sports, and NGO volunteering can be an addendum to the list of merits.
- In the case of entrance based selection, it is very important to perform well and score above the qualifying marks in the entrance test in order to get admission in a good college.
- One must be well aware of the latest exam pattern. One must also know the weightage assigned to each section in the exam and prepare accordingly.
- One must start preparing for the entrance exam a year before as this gives ample time for learning and revision. Do keep your target institute in mind.
What is the Syllabus of BA Criminology?
BA Criminology is a 3-year degree program. Each year consists of 2 semesters. The course curriculum incorporates various assignments, presentations and projects. The detailed year-wise syllabus of BA Criminology course is given below:
| Semester I | |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Criminology | Practical - I |
| Semester II | |
| Introduction to Forensic Science | Practical - II |
| Semester III | |
| Police Science | Practical - III |
| Semester IV | |
| Criminal Law and Jurisprudence | Practical - IV |
| Semester V | |
| Theories of Crime | Forensic Medicine |
| Field Work | NA |
| Semester VI | |
| Victimology | Correctional Administration |
| Project | NA |
Which are the Top BA Criminology Colleges?
BA in Criminology courses are offered by many top colleges and universities across the country. Some of the top colleges offering this course have been mentioned below with several other details.
| College | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| St. Thomas College, Thrissur | Merit-Based | INR 2,020 |
| Bangalore University, Bangalore | Merit-Based | INR 1,857 |
| Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore | Merit-Based | INR 95,750 |
| Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Madhya Pradesh | Merit-Based | INR 4,300 |
| St. Philomena's College, Karnataka | Karnataka | INR 34,858 |
| SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, Karnataka | Merit-Based | INR 56,400 |
| Vani Sakkare Government First Grade College, Karnataka | Merit-Based | INR 2,527 |
| Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies, Bangalore | Merit-Based | INR 1,09,175 |
Source: College Websites
BA Criminology College Comparison
Selecting one among various colleges can be a daunting task. This becomes more difficult when all the colleges hold a certain level of reputation. Hence, to ease the process, the top colleges offering BA Criminology course have been compared below based on various parameters.
| Parameter | St. Thomas College, Thrissur | Bangalore University |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Thrissur | Bangalore |
| Overview | Founded in 1889 and affiliated to University of Calicut, this autonomous institution aims to transform students into an enlightened society by disseminating knowledge in various disciplines and challenging obstacles. | Instituted in 196 and approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC), this university strives to provide access to education, and contribute to various causes through education in Humanities, Social Science, Law, Commerce, Science & Technology. |
| NIRF Ranking | 63 | 100 |
| Courses Offered | BSc, BA, B.Com, BBA, BCA, MSW, B.Voc etc. | MBA, MSc, BBA, B.Com, BSc etc. |
| Average Fees | INR 2,020 | INR 1,857 |
| Average Salary | INR 2,80,000 | INR 2,50,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | ICICI Bank, Wipro, Infosys, South Indian Bank, Federal Bank | Infosys, TCS, Microsoft, Dell, SAP labs Accenture, Textron, Cognizant |
Source: College Websites
BA Criminology Distance Learning
Sometimes, due to several reasons, one cannot pursue the desired course through regular learning mode, in such cases distance learning mode comes to their rescue. Students can pursue a BA Criminology course through distance mode as well. Before taking admission, Students must check for the validity of the course and the college in distance or correspondence mode.
- In order to be eligible for this course through correspondence mode students need to pass the higher secondary examinations from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 50%.
- The minimum duration required to complete this course from distance mode is 3 year and the maximum duration of the same is 5 years.
- Admission to BA Criminology course through correspondence mode is merit-based.
- The average fee for the course ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 50,000 annually.
Given below are some colleges which offer this course through distance mode.
| College | Admission Process | Duration | Average Course Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directorate of Distance and Continuing Education, Tamil Nadu | Merit-Based | 3 years | 11,700 |
| Institute of Distance Education, Tamil Nadu | Merit-Based | 3 years | 7,500 |
| Tamil Nadu Open University, Tamil Nadu | Merit-Based | 3 years | 6,600 |
BA Criminology vs BA Criminology and Police Administration
BA Criminology and BA Criminology and Police Administration are two different courses offered in the subject of Criminology. Some of the key differences and similarities between these two courses are mentioned below.
Also check out the top BA Criminology and Police Administration Colleges in India.
| Specialization | BA Criminology | BA Criminology and Police Administration |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | This course involves analysis of crime, criminal behaviour and the criminal justice system, as well as an understanding of criminal psychology. | This program involves understanding of crime and punishment, and the influence of social inequality in the criminal justice system, as well as learning other problems faced by society. |
| Duration | 3 years | 3 years |
| Admission Process | Merit-Based | Merit-Based |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed Class 12 from a recognized board | Passed Class 12 from a recognized board |
| Average Fees | INR 9,000 - 1,20,000 | INR 7,500 - 3,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3,00,000 - 4,00,000 | INR 1,50,000 - 16,00,000 |
| Job Positions | Scientist, Research Assistant, Criminologist, Forensic Scientist, Investigator, Private Detective, Crime Laboratory Analyst, Drug Policy Advisor etc. | Police Officer, Youth Worker, Civilian Crime Analyst, Law Professional, Victim Service Worker, Corrections Officer, Policy Consultant, Crisis Intervention Worker etc. |
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BA Criminology vs BSc Forensic Science
BA Criminology and BSc Forensic Science are quite similar to each other, however, there is a little difference between these two. The difference between BA Criminology and BA Forensic Science is given below:
| Parameter | BA Criminology | BSc Forensic Science |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Bachelor of Arts in Criminology | Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science |
| Duration | 3 years | 3 years |
| Eligibility | Passed Class 12 in a relevant stream from a recognized board. | Passed Class 12 or equivalent in the Science stream, with Biology or Mathematics, with an aggregate of 50% marks |
| Course Objective | Learn and understand the criminal justice system, and the scientific methods to investigate and solve the crime. | Learn and apply scientific methods to investigate and solve a crime, and get the knowledge of analysing evidence found at the crime spot. |
| Average Fees | INR 9,000 to 1,20,000 | INR 30,000 to 2,50,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 | INR 3,00,000 to 5,00,000 |
| Job Positions | Crime Investigator, Social Worker, Counsellor, Prison Manager, Law Enforcement Officer, Private Detective, Forensic Specialist etc. | Forensic Expert, Forensic Scientist, Investigative Officer, Forensic Accountant, Laboratory Assistant, Law Expert, Cyber Forensic Expert etc. |
Source: College Websites
What are Job Prospects and Career Options after BA Criminology?
- A wide range of careers await those who have graduated in BA Criminology in both the private and public sectors.
- Graduands are advised to take up internships or part-time jobs while doing the degree so that after graduating, they may have the required work experience for some fields.
- There are a large number of job opportunities for students in this field. BA Criminology degree holders are hired in many different sectors of the industry such as Investigation Agencies, NGOs, Forensic Department, Police Department, Prisons, Hospitals etc.
- Fresh graduates of this course can easily expect an initial salary of INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 per year. The salary offered is proportional to the experience earned in the field. The salary offered increases with increase in the experience in the field.
Some of the most common job profiles that a BA Criminology student can opt for along with job description and salary package are mentioned in the table below.
| Job Position | Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lecturer | Instructs students in the field of Criminology and various subjects related to it, as well as may take up research in the field of Criminology and/or Forensic Science. | INR 3,95,000 |
| Private Detective | The job of a Private Detective is to investigate and solve several civil and criminal cases based on a person, an asset or a business deal. | INR 2,36,020 |
| Prison Manager | Supervises all the operations taking place in a prison such as prison security, staff performance, and maintenance. | INR 14,85,200 |
| Correctional Counsellor | Works in rehabilitation centers and prisons to help inmates to change their criminal behaviour. | INR 2,00,000 |
| Medical Investigation Officer | Collects biological samples/evidence from a crime scene, and conducts tests such as studying their DNA, and may even testify in court. | INR 5,29,300 |
Source: College Websites
What are the Future Scope of BA Criminology?
BA Criminology is pretty popular among students and a large number of students opt for this course. The course offers diverse career opportunities. This further affirms the immense popularity of the course among students. The most popular choices of education on completion of a BA Criminology degree are as follows.
-
MA: If one wishes to continue in the same field of education, the first program of choice is a MA Police Administration. It is a two-year course and the eligibility criteria include having a BA in Criminology.
Check out the Top MA Police Administration Colleges in India.
- MBA: A large number of BA graduates choose to go for the management route by choosing to pursue a PGDM or MBA course. Admissions are offered through a national level entrance test. Having a BA degree together with an MBA in a specialization of choice is highly advantageous and many organizations actively search for such candidates. Check out top MBA Colleges and PGDM Colleges in India.
- Competitive examinations: Another route that graduates can go for is to prepare for competitive examinations. Examinations that are meant for job opportunities in Government sector organizations are most popular. Jobs in this sector are secure with assured high pay and regular increments.
BA Criminology FAQs
Some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to BA Criminology program are as follows:
Ques. What is the career scope for a Criminologist in India?
Ans. The role of Criminologists increases everyday in order to subdue the increasing crime rates in India. Thus, criminologists can establish a strong career in India.
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria to seek admission to a BA Criminology course?
Ans. Students must have passed Class 12 or equivalent in relevant discipline from a recognized board to seek admission to this program?
Ques. Is BA Criminology hard to study?
Ans. BA in Criminology may demand steadfast dedication throughout the course. The program also includes classes in Communicative English, Computer Science, Logic and Statistics, which may altogether make it a hard course.
Ques. What is the admission process followed by Indian Colleges/ Universities for admission to BA Criminology course?
Ans. Admission to this course will be done based on Merit in the qualifying examination i.e. Class 12 examination.
Ques. What are the advantages of studying Criminology?
Ans. Students who have a passion to fight and solve crimes may find this field to be extremely exciting. Moreover, the job is not merely to sit behind a computer, but to go out and disentangle a situation. Criminologists may use their intellect to analyse the cases that they are assigned and may make a career from creating demographics and stories about crimes.
Ques. What are the disadvantages of studying Criminology?
Ans. Criminology may prove to be hard to study. Besides, graduates may face a strong competition to procure a job in the field alongside the postgraduates and those who have work experience. One may need to work in distressing situations such as questioning dangerous suspects and inspecting odious crime scenes.
Ques. Can one become a Criminologist after getting a bachelor's degree in Criminology?
Ans. Undergraduates may find it difficult to find a job in the field of Criminology as postgraduates and experienced persons pose a challenge. Undergraduates are advised to take up internships or a part-time job to get work experience.
Ques. What are the highest paying jobs in the field of Criminology?
Ans. Some of the top highest paid jobs in the field of Criminology includes Private Detective, Forensic Analyst and Probation Officer are some of the highest paid jobs in the field of Criminology.
Ques. Can one become a lawyer after completing a BA Criminology course?
Ans. No, you cannot become a lawyer after completing just a BA Criminology course. In order to become a lawyer, one must complete a Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB) degree.
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