Criminology and Social Policy

Criminology and social policy together examine the relationship between crime and the wider structures of society, asking not just why individuals commit offences but what social, economic, and political conditions generate crime and what policy responses are most effective in reducing harm. Criminology analyses the causes, distribution, and experience of crime, the operations of the criminal justice system, and the theoretical frameworks used to explain why some behaviours are criminalised and others are not. Social policy examines how governments design and deliver interventions in areas such as welfare, housing, education, health, and employment, asking what values inform these choices and whether they achieve their stated aims.

Together, the two disciplines equip you to engage rigorously with some of the most contested questions in public life.

Cardiff University is a leading research university and its programme in criminology and social policy reflects genuine academic strength in both areas. You will engage with criminological theory from classical to contemporary perspectives, examine empirical research on crime trends and the effectiveness of criminal justice interventions, and develop an understanding of how social policy is made and evaluated in the UK and comparative international contexts. Research methods training in both quantitative and qualitative approaches gives you the tools to evaluate evidence critically and to conduct your own social inquiry.

Graduates work in criminal justice agencies, social services, housing organisations, welfare charities, local authorities, and central government policy departments. Research roles in think tanks, academic institutions, and public sector research organisations are another natural destination for those who wish to apply their analytical skills directly. Journalism focused on social affairs, advocacy work, and roles in the voluntary sector addressing poverty, inequality, and social exclusion also attract criminology and social policy graduates.

Postgraduate study in criminology, social policy, social work, or law is a common further step for those who wish to deepen their expertise or enter regulated professions.