Criminology and Criminal Justice

Criminology and criminal justice is a discipline that examines crime not just as a legal category but as a complex social phenomenon, and the criminal justice system not just as an institutional structure but as a set of practices and values that have real consequences for individuals and communities. It asks why crime occurs, who commits it and who is most affected by it, how different societies define and respond to it, and whether the responses deployed by the criminal justice system, from policing and prosecution to sentencing, imprisonment, and rehabilitation, are effective, just, and humane.

At Wrexham University, this three-year full-time degree introduces you to the work of the agencies that make up the criminal justice system alongside an exploration of the causes of crime at both individual and societal levels. You will develop understanding of community justice, offending behaviour, victimology, crime prevention, and the legal and ethical dimensions of the criminal justice process. The first year provides a strong foundation in both theory and practice, preparing you for the more specialised and critical work that follows.

The typical entry tariff is 104 UCAS points.

Graduates of criminology and criminal justice programmes find careers in probation and rehabilitation services, the police, youth offending teams, prison services, social work, victim support, the charity sector, policy research, and community justice. The analytical, research, and communication skills the degree develops are valued in any professional context where understanding crime, justice, and social inequality matters. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in criminology, criminal justice, law, or social work, deepening their expertise in the areas where they want to build a long-term career.