Criminology and Human Biology

Criminology and Human Biology is an unusual combination that reflects the full complexity of crime as a human phenomenon. Criminology examines crime from sociological, psychological, and political perspectives, asking why crime happens, how it is defined and responded to, and what the consequences of criminal justice decisions are for individuals and communities. Human biology brings a different angle, attending to the biological dimensions of human behaviour, development, and health, and, in a forensic context, to the physical evidence that crimes leave behind.

At Liverpool Hope University, this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and a work placement. The foundation year provides a supported academic entry point, and as you progress through the degree you will study criminological theory, the criminal justice system, and the social contexts of crime alongside human anatomy, physiology, genetics, and the biological dimensions of behaviour and health. The combination opens pathways in forensic science, criminal justice, and healthcare-adjacent roles that neither discipline would provide alone.

The placement year and work placement give you professional experience in settings relevant to either or both subjects, and the year abroad broadens your perspective on how different societies understand and respond to crime.

You will develop both analytical and scientific skills, the ability to think critically about social problems, and a grounding in biological science that is relevant to forensic and health contexts.

Graduates move into careers in criminal justice, forensic investigation, probation, victim support, social work, healthcare, and research. The combination is also a strong foundation for further study in forensic science, criminology, or biomedical disciplines, and for professional training in healthcare, law enforcement, or social care.