Criminology

Criminology addresses one of the most urgent and enduring questions in social life: why does crime happen, and how should societies respond? It is a discipline that brings rigorous evidence to bear on questions about criminal behaviour, the definition and measurement of crime, the operation of the criminal justice system, the experience of victims, and the effectiveness of different approaches to prevention and punishment. It draws on sociology, psychology, law, and political theory, and it consistently finds that the answers are more nuanced and contested than popular accounts suggest.

At the University of Sussex, this three-year, full-time programme includes a foundation year and takes a global perspective on crime, criminal justice, and punishment, recognising that the need for better understanding of crime is worldwide and that comparative analysis enriches both academic and practical engagement with the field. You will study the causes of crime at individual, situational, and social levels, the social construction of crime and deviance, the operation of policing and the courts, the carceral system, victim experience, and the possibilities for prevention and restorative justice. A sandwich year, year abroad option, and work placement opportunities are all available, giving you professional experience and the chance to encounter criminal justice systems in other national contexts.

Graduates go on to careers in probation, the prison service, youth offending, victim support, social work, policing, policy research, journalism, and the voluntary sector. Many continue to postgraduate study in criminology, law, social policy, or forensic psychology. Sussex's critical tradition and its engagement with questions of social justice and inequality make the programme particularly well-suited to those who want to bring both rigour and a commitment to change to the field.