Criminology and Sociology

Explore the nature of crime and the criminal justice system in modern society with our leading academics and through our links with partners like HMP Exeter and Landworks. Develop key skills for your future, whether it’s in probation, policing or youth justice so you’re ready to navigate the challenges society is facing. Look within and beyond the city of Plymouth itself, with walking tours to understand the local community and hands-on projects with local rehabilitation and victim charities.

• Get involved – Boost your chances of finding that perfect first job and gain hands-on experience. A dedicated criminology employability officer provides students with a range of opportunities to build their portfolio of experience with local and national criminal and social justice related agencies. Additionally each year, our students work with the Devon and Cornwall Police to create a real campaign to tackle issues impacting the student community, like online scams.

• Innovative teaching – Our teaching is informed by innovative teaching methods and use of contemporary technologies including VR, AI and exploration of forensic techniques and analysis. We actively encourage students to interrogate the boundaries of criminological ideas. Experience our pioneering module with HMP Exeter, where students learn about rehabilitation inside prison walls.

• Contemporary focus – The course identifies and focuses on emergent issues in criminology and criminal justice throughout all stages of study. The programme learns from the past, considers the present and looks to the future of criminological enquiry.

• Research led – As leading scholars in their fields of research, the criminology team have strong national and international research profiles. Criminology students benefit from the close ties criminology staff have with criminal and wider social justice agencies. These ties provide students with excellent research opportunities and an embedded approach to employability within their modules, as well as an optional placement year.

• In demand – Open doors to a career in the private, public or third sector – highly transferable skills mean you will find career opportunities in a diverse range of settings. Our graduates are highly sought after by a range of criminal justice agencies, including the police, probation, prison and youth justice services.

• Create change – Draw on our inter-disciplinary approach to study, with a focus on contemporary issues, to gain real insight into the nature of crime, the workings of the criminal justice system and the society around you and equip yourself with the skills to bring about real change and make a difference.