Criminology with Foundation

Criminology is the scientific and social-scientific study of crime, its causes, its distribution, and society's responses to it. It draws on sociology, psychology, law, and political science to ask why crime occurs, how criminal justice systems work, and whether they are effective and fair. It is a discipline that matters both intellectually and socially, because the answers to its questions have real consequences for policy, for the people caught up in the criminal justice system, and for the communities most affected by crime.

At Plymouth this degree begins with a foundation year, which provides a thorough preparation in the academic and organisational skills needed for university study, ensuring that students who are motivated and capable but whose prior qualifications need development are ready for the demands of the main programme. From the second year onwards you will engage with criminological theory from classical approaches to contemporary critical perspectives, alongside topics including the psychology of offending, victimology, policing and criminal justice, penal policy, organised crime, and the social contexts that shape crime rates and criminal justice responses. The four-year full-time programme includes a sandwich placement year and a year abroad, giving you professional experience in a relevant organisation and the opportunity to study criminal justice in a comparative international context.

Graduates go on to careers in the police, probation, prison and court services, social work, youth justice, victim support, research, policy, and the voluntary sector. The analytical and research skills the degree develops are also valuable in journalism, public affairs, and a wide range of other contexts. Many students continue to postgraduate study in criminology, criminal justice, law, or social policy.