Criminology with Forensic Science
Criminology with forensic science brings together the social scientific study of crime, criminal behaviour, and justice systems with the natural scientific methods of evidence collection, analysis, and interpretation used in criminal investigations. Criminology asks why crime occurs, who commits it, who is victimised, how the criminal justice system responds, and whether those responses are effective and fair. Forensic science provides the technical toolkit for establishing what happened at a crime scene, linking suspects to evidence, and presenting findings in court in ways that are scientifically rigorous and legally sound.
At Hull this three-year full-time degree develops your understanding of criminological theory, criminal justice policy, and social research methods alongside practical forensic science skills and techniques. You will use scientific methods to examine criminal activities and engage with the latest industry knowledge through Hull's strong links with justice agencies, which give the programme unique insight into how criminology and forensic science actually operate in professional practice. The combination gives you both the analytical frameworks of social science and the technical competence that forensic roles require.
Graduates of criminology with forensic science programmes pursue a range of careers. Some move into forensic science roles within the criminal justice system, including crime scene examination, laboratory analysis of forensic evidence, and expert witness work. Others pursue careers in the police, probation, youth justice, social work, and related services.
The criminological analysis skills also transfer well into policy research, academia, and roles in organisations concerned with justice reform. Further study is often helpful for specialist roles: postgraduate degrees in forensic science, criminology, or criminal justice, and professional training for careers in law or social work, are all common routes for graduates who want to develop further expertise.