Creative Writing and Criminology

Creative writing and criminology is an unusual but remarkably productive pairing. Criminology asks rigorous analytical questions about crime, justice, deviance, and social order, drawing on sociology, psychology, and law to understand why crime happens and how societies respond. Creative writing, in turn, has always been fascinated by these same questions: from crime fiction and true crime narratives to dramatic examinations of imprisonment, moral failure, and social inequality.

Studying both together means you can bring disciplinary rigour to human stories of crime and justice, and creative depth to the analytical material of criminology.

At Liverpool Hope University this three-year full-time programme places you in one of England's most literarily distinctive cities, where poets, writers, and storytellers are a live part of local culture. You will be taught by writers and academics connected to the local writing community and recognised internationally for their work, giving the creative writing strand genuine professional credibility. The criminology component develops your understanding of criminal behaviour, criminal justice systems, victimology, policing, and penal policy.

The course includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and a work placement component, giving you structured professional experience before you graduate. The typical entry tariff of 88 points reflects the broad entry approach of this creative and interdisciplinary programme.

You will develop creative craft, analytical thinking, research skills, and the ability to engage seriously with complex social and human material from multiple perspectives.

Graduates pursue careers in writing, journalism, criminal justice, probation, youth work, social research, policy, arts education, and the voluntary sector. Postgraduate study in creative writing, criminology, or social policy is also a natural continuation.