Policing And Criminal Justice
Policing and criminal justice is a degree that examines crime, its causes, and the institutions and professionals that respond to it, with particular focus on policing as a practice, profession, and social institution. It combines criminological theory with practical professional development, asking both why crime happens and how effective, ethical, and accountable responses to it can be designed and delivered. Questions about legitimacy, fairness, and the relationship between the police and the communities they serve are as central to the discipline as questions about investigative technique and criminal law.
At Edge Hill University, this three-year programme develops your ability to examine the issues that influence criminal activity, explore how criminal justice agencies manage offenders and safeguard society, and build the practical skills that prepare you for a career in the criminal justice system. You will study the sociology and psychology of crime and deviance, policing theory and practice, criminal justice policy, victimology, the courts and sentencing, and the professional frameworks within which police officers and criminal justice practitioners operate. The programme is relevant both to students aspiring to join the police service and to those interested in broader criminal justice careers.
The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you substantial professional and international experience alongside your academic study. These elements develop your practical competence and understanding of how policing and criminal justice operate in real contexts.
Graduates pursue careers in policing, probation, youth justice, prison service, social work, victim support, criminal justice research, and community safety roles. Many use the degree as a foundation for direct entry into the police service or other criminal justice agencies. Postgraduate study in criminology, policing, law, or social work is a natural route for those who wish to develop further expertise.