Criminology

Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminal behaviour, and the systems society creates to respond to them. It is a genuinely interdisciplinary field, drawing on sociology, psychology, law, history, and philosophy to understand why crime happens, who commits it, who is victimised, and how criminal justice institutions from policing and courts to prisons and rehabilitation programmes shape and are shaped by the societies in which they operate. Criminology does not take crime or punishment as given; it asks critical questions about how the law defines what counts as criminal, whose behaviour is policed, and whether the responses society makes to crime are proportionate and just.

At the University of York, this three-year full-time programme encourages you to look beyond traditional views of crime and engage with the latest criminological thinking. You will develop a strong understanding of the economic and cultural aspects of criminal justice, examining issues such as the social construction of crime, inequality and criminal justice, the experiences of victims, the effectiveness of different approaches to punishment and rehabilitation, and the governance of public order. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, giving you a rich combination of practical and international experience alongside the academic curriculum.

Criminology graduates are well placed for careers in the criminal justice system, including probation, the courts, youth justice, and policy roles. The degree also prepares graduates for work in social research, journalism, advocacy, community development, and the voluntary sector. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in criminology, law, social policy, or criminal justice, and the critical analytical skills the degree develops are valued across a wide range of professional contexts where understanding social systems and their consequences is important.