Criminology

Explore the nature of crime, justice and punishment and prepare for a career in criminal justice and crime prevention.

You'll learn hands-on through case studies, the latest research and interactive sessions – and might have the chance for field trips to courts, prisons and sites such as Auschwitz.

Consider the causes of crime, the effectiveness of punishment, and how crime and victimisation are represented in the media.

By learning how sociologists, psychologists, political theorists and law experts approach crime and complex social problems, you’ll challenge your existing opinions, and develop skills in evaluating contrasting evidence, critical thinking, and crafting arguments.

Learn from staff with real-world experience, with modules delivered by policing and criminal justice practitioners.

Build a portfolio and CV, hear from key criminal justice professionals, and attend employment fairs.

Use our links to local and national organisations, including police forces, to find work placements and engage with professionals.

Attend events organised by our International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute.

Join a university at the forefront of shaping cultural change in uniformed services, with our record £11million research grant.

Careers

Prepare for your future career from the first semester: build a portfolio and CV, attend volunteer and employment fairs, take part in our annual Criminology conference, and hear from key figures in criminal justice.

Our links to local and national organisations, including Essex, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire police forces, will give you the chance to gain work experience and build your network.

You’ll be well-equipped for a career in a number of public services. These include:

probation service
prison service (officers and governors)
police (crime scene and victim liaison officers)
Home Office (researchers and policy analysts)
Crown Prosecution Service
the Court Service
youth offending teams
crime reduction partnerships.

The multidisciplinary nature of this course, and its focus on employability and transferable skills, can also open doors elsewhere for example in adult guidance work, charity work, counselling, local government, political analysis, and legal careers.

Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You might choose to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MA Criminology. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Work Experience

Past students have taken up volunteering placements with organisations such as Romsey Mill, or completed their Undergraduate Major Project research with a number of police forces including Essex, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

Teaching

Start by studying media representation and perception of crime and how religion, the state and society have shaped criminal justice.

You’ll also learn how the various criminal justice organisations work and interact, and the roles available within them.

In Year 2, you’ll develop your knowledge of the English and Welsh court system, including its more controversial aspects, as well as exploring how you can make a difference in the world.

Finally you’ll learn more about the youth justice system and how agencies use criminological theories, before pooling your learning in a Major Project.

*=optional

Year 1: Introduction to Contemporary Issues in Criminology (30 credits); Criminal Justice in England and Wales; Media, Society and Crime; The Evolution of Crime and Criminology; Into ARU.

Year 2: Violence and Confrontation; Revolving Doors: Punishment and Rehabilitation; Researching Society and Culture; Ruskin Module (15 credits); Lessons Learned: Inquests, Tribunals and Truth *; Cybercrime and Policing *; Sociology of Health Inequalities *; Spirituality, Religion and the Secular *; Hanging, Prisons and Community Service: Crime and Punishment in Britain throughout the Ages *; Using Linguistics: An Introduction to Forensic, Clinical and Computational Linguistics *; Violence, Gender and Victimisation *; Dark Web Policing and Control *; Intoxicants and Intoxication *; Introduction to Youth Work and Safeguarding *; Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *.
Year 3: Undergraduate Major Project - Criminology; Youth, Crime and Aggression; Criminology and Policing in Policy and Practice
Exploitation; Trafficking and Sexual Violence *; Race, Racism and Ethnic Identity *; Investigative Psychology *; Global Feminisms *; Politics and Social Media *; Concepts of Good and Evil *; Organised Crime *; Sexuality and Social Control *; Police and Counter-terrorism *; Comparative and Global Criminal Justice *; Anglia Language Programme *; Crime and Data Science *

We’ll assess your progress using a range of methods, including case studies, presentations, essays, short, weekly pieces of writing, portfolios, poster presentations, data analysis exercises, examinations and group projects. You’ll receive constructive feedback throughout the course to help you improve your work.