Criminology and Sociology

Criminology and sociology together form one of the most intellectually compelling combinations in the social sciences, asking both how societies are structured and why some people, groups, and behaviours come to be defined as criminal. This thought-provoking combination teaches you to think critically about crime and how people engage and interact with the world, covering everything from addiction and criminalisation to human rights and climate change. Criminology examines the definition, causes, and consequences of crime and the operation of the criminal justice system.

Sociology provides the broader framework, investigating how social structures, institutions, inequalities, and cultural forces shape human life and produce different outcomes for different groups.

At Abertay University, this four-year full-time programme develops your skills in sociological and criminological theory, social research methods, and critical analysis of the criminal justice system and social policy. You will engage with questions about power, inequality, deviance, and justice, developing the ability to evaluate evidence, construct arguments, and think across disciplinary boundaries. A year abroad is built into the programme, giving you the experience of studying in a different national context and encountering different approaches to crime, punishment, and social organisation.

Entry typically requires around 152 UCAS tariff points.

Graduates work in the criminal justice system, social work, community development, local government, the voluntary sector, public policy, social research, education, and a wide range of roles that require critical thinking about social and criminal justice issues. Many continue to postgraduate study in criminology, sociology, social work, or related disciplines, or pursue professional qualifications in law, social care, or community development.