Criminology

Crime is a social and political issue with huge impact, causing misery for both victim and perpetrator. This degree is for those who want to investigate, understand and tackle this problem and who may later wish to work within the police or criminal justice system.

Why study Criminology at Marjon?

• Practical focus through real life case studies.
• You will experience court rooms, custody suites and police stations to aid your learning.
• Realistic simulated environments such as a crime scene house on site.
• Focus on psychological profiling, exploring how to predict criminal behaviour.
• Perform your own research through work placements within the criminal justice system.
• We work with many partner agencies including Devon and Cornwall Police, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Derriford Hospital Emergency Department, Victim Support, Youth Justice Board, Court Service, Plymouth Surveillance Unit, Coroner’s Court and Devonport Community Safety Programme.

What might I become?

You could apply to graduate schemes with the police, civil service or prison service. You could work to prevent crime or with families, who have been victims of crime, work as a social worker, youth worker, probation officer, police officer or community development officer.

Find out more at Open Day

Open Day is your opportunity to find out more about studying Criminology at Marjon. You’ll meet lecturers and look around our dedicated onsite crime scene house. Our student life talks will help you prepare to go to university, covering topics such as careers, funding, sport and our award winning on-campus student support service. You can also take a tour of the campus with a current student and find out about the student-led clubs and societies.

Book on to an Open Day at: www.marjon.ac.uk/open-day

Why study at Marjon?

• Small, person-focused university
• No.2 university in England for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2024)
• No.4 university in the UK for Career Prospects (WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2023)
• No.4 uni in England for Education (Student Experience) (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)

Jade - Second year, Criminology;
“In our first year we learnt about psychology in crime and the mindset of a criminal. We also learnt about the role of victims within the criminal justice system. This year we are learning about crime scene photography and how to take photos that can be used in court. There’s also 50 hours of research placement to set us up for our future careers. In the third year we’re going to learn about punishment, sentencing and how different countries handle crime. We will also learn about the ethics of being involved in criminal justice.”

1st Year
Criminal Justice Careers
Law and Human Rights
Crime and Criminology
Understanding Research: Theory and Method
Psychology in Practice
Victims and Offenders: Children and Youth People

2nd Year
Bio-social Criminology
Thinking Like a Criminologist
Research Methods
Policing and Managing Crime
Forensic Psychology
Media and Crime
Engaging with Employability Criminology

3rd Year
Global Criminology
Punishment and Prisons
Criminological Project: Dissertation
Conflict & Conflict Resolution
The Ethical Professional
Criminal Psychology

Assessment methods are varied and include portfolios, essays and reports. There are two end of semester exams and you will be appraised based on your participation in the class room and in groups.