Criminology

Criminology is the social scientific study of crime, criminal behaviour, the institutions that respond to it and the social conditions that shape it. It draws on sociology, psychology, law, economics and philosophy to ask why crime occurs, how it varies across societies and contexts, who commits it and who is victimised, and whether the responses of the criminal justice system, from policing and prosecution to punishment and rehabilitation, are effective and just. These are not merely academic questions; they have direct implications for policy, practice and the quality of justice in democratic societies.

At Sheffield Hallam University, this three-year full-time programme engages with the theoretical, conceptual and practical dimensions of criminology in the real world, including emerging areas such as the relationship between climate change and criminal behaviour and the growing field of green criminology. You will engage in research-informed teaching on topics including prison reform, the definition and explanation of criminality, and the responses of the justice system. The programme includes a foundation year, which allows students who need additional preparation to build the academic foundations needed for degree-level study.

A placement year gives you direct experience in settings relevant to criminology, and work placement opportunities are integrated throughout.

Criminology graduates move into careers across the criminal and social justice sectors. The prison service, probation service, police, courts, victim support organisations and youth justice services all employ criminology graduates. Social work, community development, policy research, journalism and the charitable sector are also common destinations.

The analytical and research skills the degree develops transfer well into roles where understanding complex social phenomena and communicating findings clearly are essential. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in criminology, social policy, forensic psychology or law, where the foundations of the undergraduate degree support more advanced and specialist work.