Criminology

Criminology is the scientific study of crime: why it happens, who defines it, how it is responded to, how it affects communities, and what can be done to reduce it. It is a discipline that refuses simple answers, insisting on evidence, engaging with social inequality, and asking hard questions about the justice, effectiveness, and legitimacy of the systems society puts in place to deal with harmful behaviour. It draws on sociology, psychology, law, and political theory, making it one of the most genuinely interdisciplinary subjects in the social sciences.

At Coventry University, this three-year, full-time programme gives you the knowledge and analytical tools to understand crime and the criminal justice system in depth. You will explore theories of criminal behaviour, the social construction of crime, the operation of policing, courts, and prisons, the experience of victims, approaches to prevention and rehabilitation, and the relationship between crime and broader social inequalities. A sandwich placement year is built into the programme, giving you professional experience in a criminal justice, policy, or social care environment.

A year abroad option and work placement opportunities are also available, giving you exposure to different national approaches to crime and criminal justice.

Coventry's emphasis on applied learning means you will engage with real-world questions and practitioners throughout your studies, developing not just academic understanding but practical insight into the challenges of the field. Graduates go on to careers in probation, the prison service, youth offending services, victim support, social work, policing, policy research, journalism, and the charity sector. Many continue to postgraduate study in criminology, law, social policy, or forensic psychology, and some pursue research careers that contribute to a better understanding of crime and how societies respond to it.