Criminology

Criminology examines one of the most complex and consequential areas of social life: why crime occurs, how societies define and respond to it, and what the criminal justice system actually achieves. It draws on sociology, psychology, law, and politics to analyse not only criminal behaviour but also the structures of policing, prosecution, sentencing, and rehabilitation, as well as the cultural and political forces that shape what counts as crime in the first place. These are questions with real stakes for justice, public safety, and social equality.

At Edinburgh Napier University, this four-year full-time programme provides a rigorous grounding in criminological theory and research alongside an understanding of criminal justice policy and practice in Scotland and beyond. You will study the major theoretical traditions of criminology, engage with empirical research on crime and victimisation, and develop skills in social research and data analysis. The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study criminology in a different national and legal context and to broaden your comparative understanding of how different societies respond to crime.

Graduates of criminology programmes pursue careers in policing, probation, the prison service, victim support, social work, policy research, and the voluntary sector. The analytical and research skills the degree develops are valued in the civil service, consultancy, and journalism, as well as in criminal justice practice. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in criminology, criminal justice, law, or social policy, where a strong undergraduate grounding in the theoretical and empirical dimensions of the discipline provides an excellent preparation.