Criminology

Criminology is the social scientific study of crime: why it happens, how it is defined, how society responds to it, and whether those responses are effective or just. It draws on sociology, psychology, law, and social policy to ask fundamental questions about harm, punishment, victimisation, and justice. As the current course description notes, Chester's criminology programme explores the relationship between society, the individual, crime, harm, punishment, victimisation, rights, and justice, covering the full range of concerns that make this one of the most intellectually engaging and socially relevant subjects available.

This four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad, which gives you the opportunity to study criminology in a different national context and to understand how crime, policing, and punishment are approached differently across legal and cultural systems. The programme also includes a foundation year pathway, making it accessible to students with a typical tariff as low as 72 points who demonstrate genuine motivation and potential. The foundation year provides additional preparatory support before the main degree content begins, widening access to a subject that benefits from diverse student backgrounds.

You will study theories of crime and deviance, the sociology of policing and criminal justice, penology and the prison system, victimology, youth justice, race and gender dimensions of crime and punishment, and the evidence base for different approaches to crime reduction. You will also develop research skills in both quantitative and qualitative methods, which are directly applicable in research, policy, and practice roles.

Graduates from criminology programmes move into careers in the criminal justice system, including probation, prison service, youth offending teams, police, and courts, as well as roles in social work, research, policy, the voluntary sector, and community safety. Some continue to postgraduate study in criminology, criminal justice, or law.