Criminology and Social Policy

Criminology and social policy is a combination that examines both the causes of crime and the social policy responses designed to address them, developing a critical and analytical understanding of how societies manage social problems. Criminology investigates how activities come to be defined as criminal, why definitions vary across societies and time, and what social, economic, and psychological factors shape criminal behaviour. Social policy is an applied social science that examines how governments and institutions respond to the major challenges facing society, from poverty and unemployment to housing, health, and crime itself.

At Queen's University Belfast, this three-year full-time degree develops your understanding of criminology and social policy in an integrated way, allowing you to apply social science concepts to real policy problems and to examine the criminal justice system with critical rigour. You will engage with a wide range of theories explaining criminal behaviour and study the operation of the criminal justice system alongside analysis of social policies designed to prevent crime, support victims, and rehabilitate offenders. A typical entry tariff of 136 points applies.

Graduates from criminology and social policy programmes pursue careers across the criminal justice sector, social care, public policy, community development, and the third sector. Many work in the police service, probation, youth justice, social work, housing, and organisations addressing poverty or social exclusion. The policy dimension of the degree is particularly valuable for roles in research, advocacy, and government, where the ability to analyse social problems and evaluate policy responses is central.

Postgraduate study in criminology, social policy, law, social work, or public administration is a natural continuation.