Computer Science and Criminology

Computer science and criminology is a combination that addresses both the technical infrastructure of the digital world and the social and legal questions that arise from how that infrastructure is used and misused. Computer science covers the theory and practice of computation, including programming, networks, data structures, algorithms, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the full range of technologies that underpin modern digital systems. Criminology examines crime as a social phenomenon, asking why it occurs, how the criminal justice system responds, and what more effective approaches to prevention and justice might look like.

In an era of cybercrime, digital forensics and algorithmic policing, the two disciplines speak to each other in increasingly important ways.

At Liverpool Hope University this four-year programme begins with a foundation year, making it accessible to students who need additional preparation before the main degree. You will explore the breadth of computer science, from networks and mobile computing to artificial intelligence, virtual reality and robotics, alongside the core theoretical and empirical content of criminological study. The programme includes a sandwich year in professional practice and a year abroad, giving you extended professional experience and an international perspective on both technology and criminal justice.

Graduates from this combination are well placed for roles in cybersecurity, digital forensics, policing technology, fraud investigation, information security management, technology policy and research. The criminology component also opens routes into criminal justice agencies, community safety organisations and the voluntary sector, while the technical skills are valued across a wide range of industries that need people who combine computing competence with an understanding of legal, ethical and social dimensions. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in cybersecurity, digital forensics, criminology or a related field, deepening their expertise in one or both disciplines.