Criminology and Policing

Criminology and policing is a degree that combines the academic study of crime and criminal justice with a particular focus on the theory and practice of policing, one of the most visible and consequential institutions in any society. Criminology examines why crime occurs, who it affects, how criminal justice institutions respond, and with what effects, while policing studies examines the history, culture, organisation, and practice of police work, the relationship between police and communities, and the challenges of accountability, legitimacy, and effectiveness that policing raises in democratic societies.

At Roehampton University, this three-year full-time programme with a foundation year is designed to build your conceptual, practical, and critical understanding of criminal, deviant, and harmful actions, and the broader social, political, and environmental effects of those phenomena. The foundation year provides a supported academic preparation before the main degree. A sandwich year with work placements is also available, giving you professional experience in relevant criminal justice settings during your studies.

You will study criminological theory, the politics of law and order, victimology, evidence-based policing, criminal justice policy, and the social and cultural dimensions of policing practice, developing the analytical and critical skills needed to engage seriously with debates about crime and justice.

Graduates go on to careers in policing, probation, youth justice, the prison service, community safety, social work, victim services, and policy roles, as well as in research, journalism, and the voluntary sector. Many pursue professional qualifications or further training, including the Police Education Qualifications Framework for those entering policing. Postgraduate study in criminology, law, forensic psychology, or public policy is another route, and the analytical and communication skills the degree develops are valued across a wide range of public, voluntary, and professional sector contexts.