Criminology

Criminology is the academic study of crime as a social, cultural and political phenomenon rather than simply as a legal category. It asks not just who commits crime and why, but how societies define and respond to behaviour they find threatening, whose interests shape the criminal justice system, and what the evidence actually tells us about what reduces harm. It draws on sociology, psychology, law, history and political science to develop a discipline that is analytically rigorous, socially engaged and practically relevant.

At the University of Westminster this part-time programme is designed to challenge and inspire, developing your critical insight into how crime and crime control work, and equipping you with the professional skills to thrive in competitive graduate careers. You will examine major criminological theories, the institutions and processes of criminal justice, the experiences of offenders and victims, and the politics of crime policy. The programme invites you to question who gets to define what crime is in the first place, and to analyse the deeper social forces that shape patterns of offending and punishment.

Criminology graduates move into careers across the criminal justice system, including policing, probation, youth justice, victim support, prison service and social work. Policy research, journalism, legal work, the civil service and the voluntary sector also draw on criminologists' analytical and communication skills. The part-time mode at Westminster allows students to combine study with existing employment or other commitments.

Postgraduate study in criminology, social policy, forensic psychology, law or public administration is a natural further route for those seeking specialist careers or research pathways.