Criminal Justice and Criminology

Prepare for your future in law with a three‑year course designed for graduates ready to start a legal career.
Crime shapes politics, media and everyday life. Understanding it properly, beyond headlines and stereotypes, matters to the world we live in.
Drawing on the world-leading research of the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies at Leeds, this programme gives you an advanced, critical understanding of crime and criminal justice today.
You will explore complex questions concerning the nature and causes of crime, trends and patterns in offending and different theories on crime, criminals and crime prevention. You will examine the various settings in which crime takes place, including the role individual, social, legal and political factors play. You will study the structure and operation of the criminal justice system, including the police, the criminal courts, prisons and probation, as well as how private and voluntary agencies help prevent crime and manage offenders.
This course helps you think critically, analyse real evidence and question assumptions. If you choose the Quantitative Research Methods (QRM) pathway, you’ll also gain data skills that employers across all sectors are actively looking for.
This programme opens doors to careers in policing, probation, prisons, policy, government, charities and research. The data skills from the QRM pathway can also lead to roles in data analysis, consultancy or postgraduate study.

Student profile: Heather Bradbury
"The course society, CrimSoc, has been a particular highlight. Being a part of a society with people interested in the same things as you such as organising prison visits and socials."
Heather Bradbury, Criminal Justice and Criminology BA

Why study at Leeds

• Teaching delivered by experts: Learn from tutors based in the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies, a leading voice in crime and justice research.

• Optional specialist pathway (QRM): Gain advanced statistical and data analysis skills that are in high demand across sectors.

• Hands-on data experience: Work with real-world datasets using professional statistical software.

• Flexible module choices: Tailor your degree to match your interests and career goals.

• Highly transferable skills: Graduate with critical thinking, research, analytical and communication skills employers value.

• Clear progression opportunities: You’ll be well-suited for careers in criminal justice, policy, research, the third sector or postgraduate study.

Rankings and awards
Top 15 in the UK for Criminology, The Guardian University League Tables 2026

Where this degree could take you
Many graduates go straight into criminal justice careers, including roles in the police, prisons, probation and research. Others move into the Civil Service, policy, media or work for charities. Some choose to deepen their expertise through postgraduate study.

Student profile: Heather Bradbury
"The course opened up a range of job opportunities to me, I found myself interested in areas of criminal justice I never thought I would involve myself in."
Heather Bradbury, BA Criminal Justice and Criminology

Career support
10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research
At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.
Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.