Criminology and Criminal Justice

Criminology and criminal justice examines the nature, causes, and consequences of crime, and the social, legal, and political institutions that respond to it. It is a discipline that draws on sociology, psychology, law, and political science to ask fundamental questions about harm, justice, punishment, and social order. Far from being narrowly vocational, it is an intellectually rich subject that gives you tools for thinking about some of the most contested questions in public life.

This four-year full-time programme at the University of Bedfordshire includes a foundation year, providing structured preparation for honours-level study and opening the degree to a wider range of students. You will explore theories of crime and deviance, the operation of the criminal justice system, policing and its history, the penal system, victimology, youth justice, and international and comparative perspectives on crime. The programme engages critically with contemporary debates about inequality, race, gender, and class in relation to crime and criminal justice, encouraging you to think beyond common assumptions and to evaluate evidence carefully.

A foundation year tariff of 56 points means the programme is designed to be genuinely accessible.

Criminology graduates go on to careers in probation, the police service, youth justice, social work, prison service, community safety, policy analysis, victim support, journalism, and the voluntary sector. The analytical skills and knowledge of social institutions you develop are valued across a wide range of public and third-sector employers. For those who want to continue studying, postgraduate options include criminal justice, social work, law, security studies, and research methods, and the programme provides a strong foundation for any of these routes.