Applied Sociology and Criminology

Our criminology courses rank in the UK top 20 overall in their subject field (The Guardian University Guide, 2026).

Delivering the most up-to-date theory and practice, this course reflects both national and international developments in these ever-changing fields. It gives you the critical thinking skills and confidence to develop your own position on such important issues as individual and social responsibility; crime and punishment; and global social dilemmas. Your second and third years give you the opportunity to take optional units in areas of interest such as youth and crime; the politics of migration; and crime and the media.

Facilities and Specialist Equipment

• Four-storey library with an extensive range of physical and digital resources.

• Specialist labs, lecture theatres and bespoke group study spaces.

Your Student Experience

• Study with expert staff from a variety of social science backgrounds including forensic psychiatry; policing; offender management; social work; and youth justice.

• All staff are actively involved in research in areas such as human rights; safeguarding; policing; social justice; public policy; youth crime and violence; and offender management.

• Gain specialist knowledge thanks to subject-relevant field trips, most recently including a visit to The Old Bailey and Royal Courts of Justice.

• See theory in action through voluntary work and simulated crime scenarios embedded into the course units.

• Personalise your degree with optional units and the choice of a final-year dissertation that is based on either research or community work experience.

• Interact with local charities, policymakers and community influencers with our #SASS Change Maker initiative, which aims to increase awareness of and response to topical societal issues.

Areas of study may include:

• Introduction to criminology
• Understanding society, identity and structures
• Introduction to research and political enquiry
• Cybercrime
• Refugees, displacement, and the politics of migration
• Urban Crime - Forensic mental health
• Terrorism
• Sociology of Health and Illness

Every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate at the point of publication on the UCAS website. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website.