Criminology

Criminology is the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon: its nature, causes, and distribution, and the responses of criminal justice systems and wider society to it. It is an inherently interdisciplinary subject, drawing on sociology, psychology, law, economics, and political science to address questions that have real stakes for individuals and communities. Why do some people commit crimes and others in similar circumstances do not?

How do social inequalities shape who is policed and punished? Does incarceration reduce crime or produce more of it? These are not just academic questions; they are the substance of policy debates that affect millions of lives.

At Loughborough you will develop a comprehensive understanding of crime, its causes and consequences, and the complex motivations and experiences of both those engaged in criminal activity and those involved in preventing and responding to it. The programme covers criminological theory from classical deterrence to critical and cultural criminology, alongside topics in policing, courts, penology, victimology, organised crime, and the social and structural factors that shape crime rates. You will develop strong research skills in both quantitative and qualitative methods, equipping you to engage with criminological evidence critically and to conduct your own research.

The four-year full-time programme gives you the depth to engage with the subject thoroughly across a range of methodological and theoretical perspectives.

Graduates go on to careers in the police, probation, prison and court services, social work, youth justice, research, policy, journalism, law, and the voluntary sector. Many continue to postgraduate study in criminology, criminal justice, law, or related social sciences. The analytical skills and understanding of social structures that criminology develops are valued across a wide range of professional contexts beyond the criminal justice system.