What is Criminology?
Criminology is the study of criminals and criminal conduct. There is a lot of knowledge available regarding the reasons behind contemporary victimization as well as remedies for the criminal justice system. Criminology is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates elements of criminal law, sociology, psychology, psychiatry, and social anthropology.
Overview
A criminology degree from a UK university will comprehensively introduce and explain the criminal justice system while also providing you with a wide range of transferable skills that can help you pursue a career in a number of different fields and businesses.
The themes and modules covered by the course will range from Globalization and Crime to Crime and Punishment in Modern Society to Sociology of Crime and Control. Additionally, they will study criminological methods like conducting interviews, conducting quantitative analysis, and analyzing vast volumes of data.
As part of a practical experience, students will inspect imaginary crime scenes and assess the evidence. Judges, police, and probation officers will be among the guest speakers. Additionally, local government organizations may offer employment and internships.
Why Study Criminology in the United Kingdom?
A degree in criminology will continuously develop you to unearth the motivations of criminals and place them in the perspective of legislation and prevention.
- Sociology, social policy, anthropology, or psychology-based examinations of society and criminal justice.
- Awareness of criminal justice system disparities and the emergence of new difficulties.
- Capability to do social research using quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Co-operation skills
- Communication (written and verbal) skill
- It will help you think critically and conduct thorough analyses.
- Skills in decision-making and information technology Organization and Presentation
- Problem-solving skills
Criminology Course Modules for the students
- Criminal justice landscape
- Social research methods
- Introducing social policy
- Sociology of crime and deviance
- Crime, culture, and social change
- Debates in criminal justice
Criminology Courses in the UK for international students
Undergraduate Courses-
- Criminology BA
- Criminology and Forensic Studies BA
- Criminology and Policing BSc
- Criminology with Applied Psychology BSc
- Sociology and Criminology BA
Postgraduate Courses-
- Criminal Justice Policy MSc
- Criminology and Criminal Justice MSc/LLM
- Criminology PGDip/MA/MPhil/PhD
- Global Crime, Justice and Security MSc
- Sociology, Social Policy, and Criminology PhD
Entry Requirements for Studying Criminology in the UK
Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated interest in the subject and course are essential for international students-
- Typical International Baccalaureate requirements: 36–27.
- Typical A-levels requirements: BBB, with a balance of arts, humanities or science subjects.
- Typical IELTS requirements: 6.0 overall, with no lower than 5.5 in any one component
- BTECs: DDD–MMM
- Scottish Highers: AAAAB–BBCC (Advanced Highers: AAB)
Experiences for Postgraduate Degrees-
- Work experience demonstrating your interpersonal abilities
- Volunteering with organisations that advocate for social justice
- Knowledge of themes of interest gained via reading books, cases, the news, the British Society of Criminology‘s blog, and podcasts.
Career in the UK for Criminology graduate
Some professions open to those with a criminology degree require additional training, but graduates have many options to choose from. A few examples of possible areas are:
- Aid worker
- Civil servant
- Counsellor
- Crime analyst
- Journalist
- Police officer
- Probation officer
- Social worker
- Solicitor
- Victim liaison officer
How will you study criminology in the UK?
Depending on the module, classes are evaluated in a variety of ways:
- Coursework
- Dissertation
- Essays
- Exams
- Group presentations
- Literature reviews
- Media analysis
- Project work
Top universities in the UK for studying Criminology
Loughborough University-
With a criminology degree from Loughborough University, you'll gain a thorough understanding of the extent, nature, and causes of crime, the criminal justice system and how it addresses crime, and the crucial factors influencing offender rehabilitation.
International students must pay £22,000 year in tuition.
Durham University-
Criminology at Durham University develops students' critical awareness of the field by looking at significant concepts and theories as well as relevant practical issues related to crime and criminal justice.
International students must pay £23,500 year in tuition.
Staffordshire University-
Students who get degrees in criminology from Staffordshire University learn about the causes, consequences, and solutions to crime in addition to the theories that underlie criminal behavior. If you studied with them, you may choose to specialize in one of their pathways or pursue a more general study of criminology.
International students must pay £9,250 in annual tuition.
University of Leeds-
Based on the top-notch research of the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies at the University of Leeds, this course will give you an advanced understanding of crime and its control. You will delve into the complex questions of what causes crime, how criminals ought to be dealt with, and how it may be avoided.
£19,500 per year is the tuition cost for international students.
The University of Sheffield-
Since it began offering criminology courses more than 35 years ago, the University of Sheffield's School of Law has built a solid reputation for its professors' commitment to the classroom and their cutting-edge research in a range of criminological subfields, including police work, victim advocacy, restorative justice, and the factors that motivate people to stop engaging in criminal behavior.
International students must pay £20,000 year in tuition.
The University of Leicester-
Criminology and Criminal Justice is a major available as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of Leicester in the UK. The course includes subjects like the sociology of crime and deviance, the criminal justice system, and the causes of crime. The program combines sociological, psychological, legal, and political concepts.
International students must pay £18,200 year in tuition.
University of Exeter-
The program covers subjects like sociology of crime and deviance, criminal justice policy, and criminological theory. Graduates of the program can pursue professions in research, social work, law enforcement, criminal justice, and other relevant fields. Students gain knowledge of the criminal justice system, the nature and causes of crime, and various reactions to crime and criminal behavior from this course.
International students must pay £21,500 annually in tuition.
Salary range in the UK for Criminology graduate
Various starting wages may be expected of criminology program graduates. As an entry-level employee in the policy industry, you may earn between £20,000 and £22,000, with a potential increase to £46,000 as a senior policy advisor for the government's public safety division.
After finishing the National Graduate Leadership Programme and becoming a police officer, you may expect to start out with a salary of roughly £26,000. Salary increases may be possible if you advance to the rank of sergeant or inspector.
Final Words
Studying criminology in the UK offers a rich and exciting educational experience that explores the complexities of criminal conduct and its effects.
The nation is home to multiple colleges with criminology programs that are well-known worldwide, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a range of cultural perspectives. For those who want to work in law enforcement, social work, or criminal justice, this makes it the perfect place to go.
The UK provides students the ability to become specialists in the most recent criminological theories and practices thanks to its long history and continuous criminological research.