Criminology, BSc (Hons)

Criminology explores key questions about why people commit crimes, how to prevent them, and how offenders should be punished, through examining the evolving nature of crime and the criminal justice system. Ranked in the top 5 in the UK (The Times Good University Guide, 2024), the program is home to the Institute of Criminal Justice Research and offers study abroad opportunities in Brazil, Canada, or China. Students develop research skills to analyse topics like criminal behaviour, victimisation, and social control, supported by up-to-date research that links scholarship with policy and practice. This research-led approach prepares graduates for careers in public service, criminal justice, or further study, including work placements in prisons, probation, or policing.The course covers modules such as Criminology Psychology, Class Structure and Social Inequality, and Penology, focusing on global and historical changes in crime and punishment. Assessment methods include lectures, tutorials, coursework, projects, and independent learning, with coursework comprising 52% in Year 1, rising to 70% in Years 2 and 3. For more details, visit the university website.