Criminology

Criminology is the social scientific study of crime, why people offend, how societies define and respond to harmful behaviour, and whether criminal justice systems achieve the goals they claim. It draws on sociology, psychology, law, and history to engage with questions that are both intellectually demanding and directly relevant to how societies organise their response to crime, victims, and the people who move through the justice system. Studying criminology develops critical thinking, research skills, and an understanding of the social structures and processes that produce the crime statistics we read in the news.

At the University of Sunderland, this three-year full-time degree gives you the opportunity to understand the causes of crime and how society responds to it, investigating current issues, debates, and trends surrounding crime and the criminal justice system. A distinctive feature of the programme is the opportunity to gain real-world experience through voluntary roles within the criminal justice system, giving you direct professional exposure to policing, probation, courts, or other organisations alongside your academic study. A year abroad is also incorporated into the programme, providing international comparative perspective on crime and justice.

You will graduate with a criminology qualification and the professional experience to support a career start in criminal justice or related sectors.

Criminology graduates work in a wide range of roles across the criminal justice system and beyond. Police, probation, youth offending, prison service, victim support, social work, policy research, and journalism are all common destinations. The analytical and research skills the degree develops are valued in many organisations that need people who can engage with evidence about human behaviour and communicate about complex social situations clearly.

Postgraduate study in criminology, law, social policy, or social work is a natural next step for those who want to develop specialist expertise. The typical entry tariff is 104 points.