Criminology
Explore the nature of crime, justice and punishment and prepare for a career in criminal justice and crime prevention.
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: GOS 2025
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.
This course is also available by distance learning.
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Hear more about our criminology degrees in Cambridge, which include opportunities to explore policing or sociology in-depth.
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Learn from staff with real-world experience, with modules delivered by policing and criminal justice practitioners.
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Build a portfolio and CV, hear from key criminal justice professionals, and attend employment fairs.
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Use our links to local and national organisations, including police forces, to find work placements and engage with professionals.
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Attend events organised by our International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute.
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Join a university at the forefront of shaping cultural change in uniformed services, with our record £11million research grant.
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
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.
Teaching and modules
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.
Student experience
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Emma works as a Probation Officer in Cambridge after graduating from our Criminology degree.
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Dani studied on our BA Criminology and MA Criminology as a mature student, and has since taught at a local secondary school as well as working as an Associate Lecturer at ARU. Hear how Criminology at ARU helped Dani follow her interests.
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Hear from ARU lecturer John Greenan in this Springpod Subject Spotlight. Watch the full lecture on Springpod.
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Find out why there's more to criminology than you might think.
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ARU researcher Colleen Moore tells us what hides behind the headlines.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- 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
- 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) *
- 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 *
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Foundation in Law and Policing
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
- Work Placement - Humanities and Social Sciences
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Vicky GaddSenior Lecturer
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Dr Michael MillsSenior Lecturer
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Dr Aimee NeaversonSenior Lecturer
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John GreenanSenior Lecturer
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Dr Paul NelsonSenior Lecturer
Facilities
Join our student community and benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources.
There's the opportunity to go on field trips in the UK and overseas, and study abroad for a semester with funding available to help cover the cost.
You can access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Apply for Criminology
Clearing places available
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start
