Criminology

Criminology is the social scientific study of crime, its causes, its consequences and the ways in which societies respond to it. Drawing on sociology, psychology, law, politics and philosophy, it asks who commits crimes and why, how criminal behaviour is defined and contested, how victims are affected, and whether the institutions of criminal justice, from policing and prosecution to imprisonment and rehabilitation, achieve their stated goals. Criminology does not take crime as a fixed category but examines how definitions of deviance are socially constructed, how power shapes enforcement, and what more effective and just responses might look like.

At Birmingham City University you will study part-time, allowing you to balance your studies with other commitments while engaging with a curriculum informed by close links with local criminal justice organisations in the voluntary, public and private sectors. You will develop a broad understanding of crime, punishment and victimisation, examining both the theoretical foundations of criminological thought and its application to contemporary justice issues. The programme includes a sandwich year in professional practice and a placement element, giving you extended experience of working within criminal justice or related settings that enriches your academic understanding and builds your professional network.

Criminology graduates are well placed for careers in probation, youth justice, community safety, policing, prison service, social work, policy research and the voluntary sector. The analytical and critical thinking skills the discipline develops are also valued in journalism, public affairs and education. Many graduates pursue further professional training or postgraduate study in criminology, social policy, applied social research or law, moving into specialist roles in justice, policy or academic research.

The close links with criminal justice organisations that inform the programme at Birmingham City University also provide direct pathways into professional practice for graduates who are ready to apply for roles in the sector.