Criminology

About this programme

Crime is one of the most urgent and debated issues shaping contemporary society — and criminology has never been more vital. To study criminology is to ask some of society’s most important questions: how do we prevent crime, but also, who gets to decide what crime is in the first place? Our Criminology BA (Hons) is designed to challenge, inspire and empower you with the knowledge, critical insight and professional skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive graduate landscape. Criminology is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on sociology, law, politics, psychology and cultural studies to explore the causes, consequences and control of crime. This course develops your understanding of crime and justice from multiple perspectives, while equipping you with strong analytical, research and transferable skills that support lifelong personal and professional growth. You’ll engage with core questions at the heart of the discipline: how is crime defined? Who has the power to shape criminal law? What causes crime? How do ideas of justice differ across cultures and historical periods? Beyond examining who commits crime and how societies respond, you’ll critically explore the social, political and global forces that shape criminalisation and punishment. Studying in central London at the heart of the UK’s policing and criminal justice systems offers a powerful learning environment. Contemporary issues such as globalisation, inequality and cultural change are examined through theoretical, qualitative and empirical approaches, bringing real-world relevance into the classroom.