Criminology

Criminology is the systematic study of crime, criminal behaviour, and the social responses to both. It draws on sociology, psychology, law, history, and policy analysis to ask why crime happens, how it is distributed across society, whether the systems designed to prevent and punish it actually work, and whose interests those systems serve. These are questions that matter in any society, and studying them equips you with analytical tools that are useful both in criminal justice professions and in a wide range of other careers.

At Manchester Metropolitan University, this three-year full-time BSc is aimed at students who want to engage rigorously with these questions. You will explore the causes and patterns of crime and examine its real impact, looking at both offenders and victims and how each is processed through the criminal justice system. The programme covers theories of criminality, policing and law enforcement, the courts and sentencing, prisons and rehabilitation, and broader questions of crime prevention and community safety.

The degree also includes a sandwich year and a work placement, giving you the opportunity to gain professional experience in a criminology-relevant setting before you graduate. This practical dimension makes a significant difference to your graduate readiness and to the strength of your profile in a competitive job market.

Criminology graduates move into a wide range of careers in and around the criminal justice system. The police, probation service, prison service, youth justice, victim support organisations, social work, and local government community safety roles are all direct routes. Policy research, think tanks, NGOs, journalism, and the third sector are further destinations.

The sandwich year and placement experience gained during this degree strengthen your connections to the field. For those interested in postgraduate study, criminology, criminal justice, social policy, and law are all natural options.