Criminology and Policing
Jump-start your career in the criminal justice sector with our specialist Criminology and Policing degree.
in the country for the number of graduates going into paid employment or further study.
Source: GOS
Explore the English legal and criminal justice systems, including the police, courts, prisons, probation, and youth justice system.
You’ll discover the origins, cultural and political ethos, and legal and ethical frameworks of the system, as well as complex issues including media representation, public attitudes and the position of victims and offenders.
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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 with the latest case studies and research, interactive sessions, and opportunities for field trips.
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Specialise with optional modules including Cyber Crime, the Dark Web, and Trafficking and Exploitation
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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
Work towards your career goals from day one. You’ll have opportunities to engage with professionals from the criminal justice sector through guest lectures, workshop events, study trips and research projects.
We’ll support you to get involved in justice causes and campaigns, charities and voluntary work that contributes to civic duty so you can gain relevant experience in the criminal justice system. You’ll also boost your CV as you become proficient in critical analysis, research and communication.
You could also develop a specialism or start a career in research by taking part in our academic shadowing scheme or Cambridgeshire County Council’s violence prevention analysis programmes.
Teaching and modules
In Year 1, you’ll start to explore the key elements of England’s criminal justice system: police, courts, prisons, probation, and youth justice. You’ll also consider how media representations of crime shape public perceptions.
In Year 2, you’ll examine the ‘rise’ in evidence-based policing, major disaster planning, and how you can make a difference in the world, researching, pitching and evaluating an idea that could make a positive contribution to society.
Finally you’ll learn more about the youth justice system and how agencies use criminological theories, before pooling your learning in a Major Project.
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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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There's more to Criminology than you might think.
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Find out why our Criminology students love their annual celebration of their work.
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Colleen Moore tells us what hides behind the headlines.
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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
- Introduction to Policing
- Into ARU
- Media, Society and Crime *
- Policing Practice *
- Evidence-Based Policing
- Researching Society and Culture
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Policing Vulnerability *
- Cybercrime and Policing *
- Lessons Learned: Inquests, Tribunals and Truth *
- Violence and Confrontation *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
- Intoxicants and Intoxication *
- Revolving Doors: Punishment and Rehabilitation *
- Violence, Gender and Victimisation *
- Using Linguistics: An Introduction to Forensic, Clinical and Computational Linguistics *
- Dark Web Policing and Control *
- Introduction to Youth Work and Safeguarding *
- Youth, Crime and Aggression
- Criminology and Policing in Policy and Practice
- Undergraduate Major Project - Criminology *
- Undergraduate Major Project - Policing *
- Investigative Psychology *
- Exploitation, Trafficking and Sexual Violence *
- Neighbourhood Policing and Community Safety *
- Race, Racism and Ethnic Identity *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
- Police and Counter-terrorism *
- Organised Crime *
- Comparative and Global Criminal Justice *
- Concepts of Good and Evil *
- 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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John GreenanSenior Lecturer
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Dr Joanne TraynorSenior Lecturer
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Vicky GaddSenior Lecturer
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Dr Christian KempDeputy Head of School
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Dr Aimee NeaversonSenior 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 and Policing
Clearing places available
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start
UK students
Call our Clearing line
01245 686868
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