Criminology

Criminology with a focus on policing and investigations is a degree for students who want to understand crime and the criminal justice system from the perspectives most relevant to law enforcement and investigative practice. Criminology examines why crime occurs, how it is defined and measured, how different communities experience and respond to it, and what the evidence says about effective prevention and intervention. The policing and investigations specialism adds depth in the specific dynamics of investigative psychology, detective work, offender profiling, and the operational realities of policing in contemporary society.

At Middlesex University, this programme is led by academics with extensive experience in policing and investigative psychology, with real-life experience and connections that bring a practitioner perspective to academic content. The programme is part time, making it accessible to those who are managing other commitments, including people already working in related fields who want to deepen their knowledge. It includes a foundation year, which provides an additional preparatory stage for students who need it, as well as a sandwich year and a work placement, giving you the opportunity to develop practical experience alongside your academic study.

The programme has no listed tariff or duration, and admissions are considered individually.

You will study the sociology and psychology of crime, victimology, the criminal justice process, detective reasoning and investigative methods, policing theory and practice, and forensic psychology, developing both the academic understanding of criminological research and the applied knowledge relevant to investigative and policing contexts.

Graduates from criminology programmes with policing and investigations specialisms move into careers in the police service, the National Crime Agency, probation, prisons, courts, border force, social research, policy, and a range of statutory and voluntary organisations working in criminal justice. Further study at postgraduate level in criminology, forensic psychology, policing, or criminal justice is a common next step for those who want to develop specialist expertise or move into leadership roles.