Criminology

Criminology is the systematic study of crime, its causes, its consequences, and the social responses to it. It draws on sociology, psychology, law, and political science to examine why people commit crimes, how criminal justice systems operate, who is most affected by crime and punishment, and how policy shapes these dynamics. Studying criminology develops a genuinely critical perspective on some of the most contested questions in contemporary society, from policing and prisons to drug policy and state power.

This three-year full-time degree at the University of the West of England encourages you to explore crime from multiple angles, building the specialist knowledge and analytical skills that employers in the criminal justice and public sector value. You will engage with competing theoretical frameworks for understanding crime and deviance, examine the evidence base for different policy approaches, and develop your ability to conduct and interpret social research. The programme includes a sandwich year and work placement opportunities, giving you substantial professional experience before you graduate, alongside a year abroad that brings an international dimension to your understanding of crime and criminal justice.

These structural features mean your academic learning is continually tested against and enriched by real-world experience.

Graduates move into a wide range of careers across the criminal justice system and beyond. Roles in the police service, probation, prison service, youth justice, victim support, social work, and community safety are common, as are positions in government, policy research, and charities working with offenders or victims. The research and analytical skills the degree builds also equip graduates for roles in data analysis, public policy, and social research.

Some graduates go on to postgraduate study in criminology, social policy, law, or related disciplines.