Criminology

Criminology is the systematic study of crime, those who commit it, those who are harmed by it, and the systems through which society responds to it. It draws on sociology, psychology, law, and political science to examine why crime occurs, how it varies across social groups and contexts, and how different societies define, police, and punish harmful behaviour. The discipline engages with questions of justice, inequality, power, and the social construction of deviance, and it develops both rigorous analytical thinking and genuine understanding of some of the most challenging social problems of our time.

At Birmingham City University, this three-year full-time BA Criminology programme is supported by close links with local criminal justice organisations in the voluntary, public, and private sectors, including West Midlands Police Force. These connections give the programme practical relevance and professional context that extends well beyond what academic study alone can provide. A sandwich placement year and work placement opportunities are built into the degree, taking you into real criminal justice settings where you can apply your knowledge and develop professional skills.

Birmingham is one of the UK's most diverse cities, with a complex and active criminal justice landscape, providing excellent context for studying crime, punishment, and victimisation.

You will examine theories of crime and deviance, the workings of the criminal justice system from policing through to prisons and probation, the experiences of victims, and the evidence base on what interventions reduce offending. Research methods and the critical evaluation of evidence are central to the programme.

Graduates from criminology programmes pursue careers in probation, policing, youth justice, social work, victim support, the prison service, research, policy, and the third sector. The analytical and research skills developed are also valued in public administration and journalism. Postgraduate study in criminology, criminal justice, social work, or law is a natural continuation.