Criminal Justice

Criminal justice is the study of how societies define, respond to, and manage crime and the people who commit it. Drawing on law, sociology, psychology, and social policy, it examines the formal institutions of the criminal justice system, including the police, courts, and prison and probation services, as well as the social and political contexts in which those institutions operate. It asks critical questions about what justice actually means in practice, how offending behaviour is understood, and how the state's responses to crime affect individuals, communities, and the fairness of the society we live in.

At Edge Hill University, this three-year full-time programme develops both conceptual understanding and practical analytical skills, giving you the frameworks to understand the criminal justice system and the professional insight to work within it. You will explore factors that contribute to offending, examine treatment and management approaches, and engage with the diverse institutions and stakeholders that make up the criminal justice landscape. A sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities are all built into the programme, giving you substantial professional and international experience before you graduate.

The typical entry tariff of 104 points reflects the accessible character of the programme.

You will develop analytical and research skills, the ability to evaluate evidence about crime and criminal justice critically, and the professional awareness needed to work effectively in this complex and socially important field.

Graduates pursue careers in probation, the prison service, the police, the courts, youth offending teams, victim support services, social work, community safety, the voluntary sector, and research. Postgraduate study in criminology, criminal justice, law, or social policy is a well-established route for those wishing to develop specialist expertise or move into research and policy roles.