Sociology and Criminology (Including Year Abroad)

What is BA Sociology and Criminology?
BA Sociology and Criminology is a three-year degree, or four years with an optional placement or study abroad year.

Combining the specialist study of criminology with a broad sociological perspective, you’ll explore crime, criminal justice, and criminal behaviour within wider social contexts. You’ll examine how crime is shaped by social structures, identities, inequalities, and cultural change, developing a deeper understanding of both society and the criminal justice system.

Why this course
There can be no crime without society. This course combines the study of criminology and sociology, enabling you to understand crime, criminals, and criminal justice through a broader examination of social life and social change.

Guided by expert academics specialising in areas such as terrorism, prisons, drug misuse, and crime in the media, you’ll explore how criminal activity intersects with age, gender, power, identity, and inequality.

You’ll investigate contemporary social issues while developing an understanding of how institutions, communities, and cultures influence both crime and responses to crime. This interdisciplinary approach equips you to analyse some of the most important social challenges facing societies today.

Throughout your degree, you’ll develop critical thinking, research, and analytical skills that can be applied across a wide range of careers and professional settings.

Who should apply
Students interested in understanding crime and criminal justice within wider social contexts
Those curious about the relationship between inequality, identity, power, and criminal behaviour
Learners who enjoy exploring contemporary social issues through critical analysis and research
Future practitioners, policymakers, researchers, or analysts seeking expertise in both sociology and criminology

What you’ll learn
Crime and society: Examine crime, victimisation, punishment, and criminal justice through sociological and criminological perspectives
Social divisions and inequality: Explore class, work, commercial culture, and the social factors that shape opportunity and disadvantage
Culture, identity, and subjectivity: Investigate how identities and social experiences influence behaviour and social outcomes
Public policy and social issues: Study policy responses to health, crime, ageing, and environmental challenges
Visual criminology and the history of crime: Explore representations of crime and the historical development of criminal justice systems

Your learning experience
Research-led teaching: Learn from academics whose expertise spans criminology, sociology, criminal justice, and social policy
Specialist expertise: Explore topics taught by researchers working on terrorism, prisons, drug misuse, crime in the media, and social inequalities
Interdisciplinary learning: Combine sociological and criminological perspectives to understand complex social issues
Independent dissertation: Undertake a supervised research project on a topic that inspires you and connects with current debates
Supportive academic community: Study within a large, welcoming department recognised for its research excellence

Careers and outcomes
A BA Sociology and Criminology degree can prepare you for careers in:

Criminal justice and public safety: Policing, probation, prisons, youth justice, and community safety organisations
Public policy and government: Policy development, social research, and public sector analysis
Research and consultancy: Roles in think tanks, research organisations, charities, and consultancy firms
Community and third-sector organisations: Supporting social justice, rehabilitation, human rights, and community development initiatives
Further study and professional training: Progressing into postgraduate study in criminology, sociology, social policy, law, or related disciplines

Many of our courses offer a choice of optional modules to tailor your learning experience. More information about these can be found on the University of Essex website.