Criminology is all about understanding why people commit crimes and how we can stop them. From delving into the minds of criminals to analysing the effectiveness of criminal justice policies, criminologists are at the heart of making our communities safer. As a criminology student, you'll dive into all sorts of theories, laws, and systems to tackle real-world cases.
Updated: 09 Apr 2026
Single Honours
Criminology
Criminal Justice
Forensic Psychology
Joint Honours
Criminology and Sociology
Criminology and Psychology
Criminology and Law
Criminology and Social Policy
SOURCE: COMMON DEGREE TITLES FROM WHATUNI
Alternative options
Foundation years: A foundation year offers an introduction to criminology. It’s a great option for students who need to catch up on course content before starting their undergraduate degree.
Sandwich degrees: Extending your undergraduate degree by an additional year, ‘sandwiched’ between Years 2 and 3 or taken after Year 3, means you can expand your horizons by studying abroad for a year or get some valuable work experience in the field.
Integrated Master’s: Pursuing an integrated Master's degree in criminology means you can upgrade your qualification to a postgraduate degree, with just one extra year of study. You’ll gain a competitive edge in the field of criminology, with relatively little extra expense.
Degree apprenticeships: These three-to-six-year courses enable you to combine academic study with practical training and earn while you learn. Sound good? What’s even better is that your employer pays for your tuition fees.
FIND OUT MORE: Get more advice on choosing your course
QUALIFICATION | REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|
UCAS points | 96–160 |
A-levels | AAB–CCC |
BTECs | DDD–MMM |
Scottish Highers | AAAAB–BBCC |
International Baccalaureate | 36–27 |
SOURCE: WHATUNI
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Students from diverse academic backgrounds can apply for criminology courses, however a strong foundation in social sciences, humanities, and analytical thinking will be helpful. You’ll benefit from choosing A-level (or equivalent) qualifications in subjects like sociology, psychology, or law, with grades usually ranging from BBB to AAB in competitive courses.
FIND OUT MORE: How to choose your A-level subjects
The WUSCAs are the largest annual uni awards in the UK voted for exclusively by students, ranking unis on the features that students really care about.
Criminology is a broad field of study, and includes everything from scientific laboratory work, to real life courtroom drama. You’ll cover subjects like criminal behaviour and forensic psychology to criminal profiling, chemical analysis, and practical fieldwork, and many of these areas may pique your interest and provide the basis for a long-term career specialism.
You’ll be ideally placed to explore your favourite disciplines and develop expertise in a chosen area. Some specialisations include:
Criminal psychology: Criminal psychology delves into the minds of offenders, exploring their motives, behaviours, and trying to discover what makes them tick. It’s an important thing to understand, as it can lead to the prevention of crimes before they occur.
Comparative criminology: This is an important topic, since it considers the social, economic, and political factors influencing crime and shaping responses to it worldwide. It explores differences in crime rates, law enforcement practices, and legal frameworks in different countries and cultures.
Policing and law enforcement: Focuses on preventing crime and catching offenders. It provides a crucial service to the safety of the general public and encompasses various roles, such as patrol officers, detectives, and special units, using community engagement and legal authority to enforce laws and protect communities.
Cybercrime and digital forensics: Cybercrime is all about combatting online hacking, identity theft, and fraud. Digital sleuths investigate virtual evidence, analyse data breaches, and developing security measures to fight cyber threats and safeguard our information systems and networks.
Restorative justice: Restorative justice is all about making amends. It emphasises repairing the harm caused by crime and restoring relationships between offenders, victims, and communities, offering alternatives to traditional criminal punishments, and instead aiming for closure and empowerment.
FIND OUT MORE: Get more advice on choosing your course
Theories of crime and criminality
Criminal law
Victim services
Policing strategies
Forensic psychology
Criminal profiling
Victimology
White-collar crime
Youth justice
Gender, race, and crime
You can expect to learn how to recognise the patterns and consequences of criminal behaviour through a mixture of lectures, seminars, and hands-on fieldwork. You’ll develop keen analytical skills, critical thinking abilities, and a vast knowledge of criminal justice systems.
You’ll be up to date with the latest issues within the industry, such as cybercrime, terrorism, and mass incarceration, and you’ll examine how to build a fairer system for all.
Additionally, you’ll pick up some general professional skills like:
Teamwork
Attention to detail
Report writing
Communication
Data analysis
Are you ready to start looking for your future university degree? Use our handy search tools now to check out criminology courses across the UK and find the perfect one for your needs.
Some criminology courses carry accreditation by various UK regulation bodies, such as the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. These courses ensure that graduates possess the skills and knowledge needed for careers in criminal justice, social services, or research.
Not all criminology courses have formal accreditation, however many professional accreditation bodies can be applied to after gaining your degree.
If you’re passionate about solving crime and upholding justice but aren’t sure if a criminology degree is the way forward, then it may be worth considering alternative pathways. There are several related degrees worth exploring here, allowing you to focus on different aspects of what you may cover in criminology:
Sociology
Psychology
Law
Forensic science
Public policy
A criminology degree is great for kickstarting a career in the field of criminal justice, social services, or advocacy. You could work as a police or probation officer, a victim advocate, or even in juvenile rehabilitation.
There are jobs available in prisons, government agencies, and public law enforcement, and many of these can lead to meaningful career pathways where you’ll contribute to the safety of individuals and communities.
"Criminology obviously provides the skills and knowledge for careers relating to criminal justice – for example, learning what helps people move away from committing crime is essential for anyone wanting to work with ex-offenders. But mainly, Criminology provides so-called ‘transferable skills’ that show a wide range of employers that you’re capable. You’ll learn how to identify and evaluate different evidence about some of the more emotive topics in society, turn this information into persuasive arguments, and then communicate that clearly in writing and through presentations. In doing this, you show employers that you’re balanced, reliable and capable – important characteristics for most graduate level jobs!"
Potential job roles can include:
Criminal investigator
Probation officer
Crime analyst
Forensic psychologist
Policy analyst
Legal researcher
Social services coordinator
These are just a few of the most common job roles. You'll find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in criminology or a related subject.
FIND OUT MORE: Career guides
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