Criminology
Criminology is a fascinating discipline, concerned with understanding crime and deviance, its consequences, and how societies and institutions create, and respond to, such issues. It is inherently interdisciplinary, and will give you sociological, historical, political and psychological perspectives for understanding and tackling crime and deviance and society’s responses to it – as well as the methodological and analytical skills to assess these. As such, it allows you to explore theoretical, empirical, practical and methodological issues and provides a unique opportunity to tackle some of the most pressing concerns of our day, from the use of police forensics, to cyber and organised crime, and police accountability amongst others.
100% of our Sociology research has internationally excellent impact
Based on research impact rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021. Our research in Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Criminology was returned to this UoA
Top 15 in the UK for Criminology
15th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
Home to the prestigious Q-Step Centre for Computational Social Science (C2S2)
Opportunities to study abroad in Europe, the USA, Australia and elsewhere
Study with us
You will gain a solid basis in key criminological concepts, themes, institutions and the methods through which these are researched. You will also have the opportunity to tailor your degree to focus on areas of criminology that you find particularly interesting, choosing from a broad range of optional modules. As such you will have the opportunity not only to develop specialist subject knowledge, but also to develop transferrable skills - including in critical analysis, research, collaborative working, oral and written communication - relevant to a wide range of careers.
Our BSc degrees also have a focus on providing students with the transferable skills in data analysis that are increasingly in-demand by the vast majority of employers in various sectors. Our teaching methods are creative, often drawing on contemporary issues and on staff experience researching and working in the sector, and our assessment methods varied, again designed to promote transferrable skills valuable to employers.
Undergraduate
Postgraduate taught
Postgraduate research
In our department you have the opportunity to undertake advanced postgraduate research in a friendly, interdisciplinary, collaborative, and highly productive community. We have a range of interests that cut across themes in sociology (including criminology), philosophy, anthropology and anthrozoology.
Research
Our research active teaching staff have a range of specialisms across a range of research areas. These include expertise in:
- Different criminal justice institutions (including the police and prisons) and techniques they use (including the use of forensics)
- Research methods in criminology, This is delivered by the University’s Q-Step Centre for Computational Social Science
- International and comparative criminology
- Different types of crimes, from cybercrime to organised crime, terrorism to crimes of the powerful and State violence
These research areas of interest are often inspired by, and further benefit from, our teaching staff’s practical experience in the field.
