Criminology And Law

Criminology and law is a degree that examines crime and justice from both sociological and legal perspectives. Criminology asks why crime occurs, how it is defined and experienced, and how criminal justice systems respond at every stage from policing to sentencing and rehabilitation. Law provides the formal framework, examining the rules, processes and institutions through which crime is prosecuted, evidence is tested and justice is attempted.

Studying them together gives you a richer understanding of each, because the social conditions that produce crime shape how the law is applied, and the legal framework in turn shapes what counts as crime and who faces its consequences.

At Edge Hill, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and a work placement, giving you substantial professional and international experience alongside your academic study. The programme develops your criminological understanding of crime, power and social change alongside key legal principles, the criminal justice system and the skills relevant to legal practice and advocacy. The combination is well suited to students considering careers in law, policing, the wider criminal justice system or policy and research.

You will develop analytical, research and argumentation skills across both disciplines, engaging with the evidence base for criminological theory and the reasoning skills of legal analysis. The work placement and year abroad give you practical experience and international exposure that strengthen your graduate profile.

Graduates move into policing, probation, legal practice, youth justice, social care, crime policy research, the voluntary sector and legal aid work. Some use the degree as a foundation for graduate entry to the bar or solicitors' programmes. Postgraduate study in law, criminology or criminal justice is a well-supported option.