Criminology and Sociology
Explore pressing crime and social issues and prepare for careers including policing, probation, youth offending and government.
Our Sociology courses ranked 18th in the UK.
Source: Guardian University Guide 2024
On this degree you'll discover the most recent ideas, issues and debates in criminology and sociology. These could include the media and moral panics; sexual violence and offender profiling; youth offending; war, terror and genocide – giving you a specialist perspective on crime and society.
You can tailor your degree to your interests and career goals through a range of optional modules. For example, you could focus on issues of corporate crime or human rights, or examine the link between intoxicants or religion and crime.
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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
Studying sociology at ARU has allowed me to see the world in a different perspective, and given me the ability to critically analyse theories and concepts.
Prepare for your 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 including authors of important criminology texts.
Specialist modules in years 2 and 3 and our excellent links with employers such as Cambridgeshire Police, the National Crime Agency and the Probation Service will help you tailor your degree towards your career goals.
Teaching and modules
Transform how you view crime and other social issues, hone many crucial skills, expand your ambitions, and set the foundations for your career.
In Year 1 you’ll discover key ideas in sociology and criminology. These include the relations that connect individuals, groups and institutions within societies, and the inner workings, strengths and weaknesses of the criminal justice system in England and Wales.
In Year 2 you’ll explore how migration shapes societies and lives, how schooling systems and strategies shape individual and collective identities, and how you how can make a difference in the world.
Finally, you’ll consider issues of race and racism and how agencies use criminological theories, before pooling your learning in a Major Project.
Student experience
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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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ARU researcher Colleen Moore tells us what hides behind the headlines.
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Take a walk through emotional management of suffering with Dr Stephanie Parsons.
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
- Sociology in Action
- Into ARU
- Media, Society and Crime *
- Global Affairs *
- Mobilities and Migration
- Sociology of Education
- Researching Society and Culture
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Cybercrime and Policing *
- Intoxicants and Intoxication *
- Revolving Doors: Punishment and Rehabilitation *
- Spirituality, Religion and the Secular *
- Sociology of Health Inequalities *
- Violence and Confrontation *
- Violence, Gender and Victimisation *
- Lessons Learned: Inquests, Tribunals and Truth *
- Dark Web Policing and Control *
- Hanging, Prisons and Community Service: Crime and Punishment in Britain throughout the Ages *
- Introduction to Youth Work and Safeguarding *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
- Undergraduate Major Project
- Race, Racism and Ethnic Identity
- Criminology and Policing in Policy and Practice
- Comparative and Global Criminal Justice *
- Investigative Psychology *
- Organised Crime *
- Police and Counter-terrorism *
- Global Feminisms *
- Concepts of Good and Evil *
- Sexuality and Social Control *
- Environment, Nature and Society *
- Youth, Crime and Aggression *
- Exploitation, Trafficking and Sexual Violence *
- Politics and Social Media *
- Sport, Globalisation and International politics *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
- Crime and Data Science *
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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Dr Michael MillsSenior Lecturer
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Dr Mirna GuhaDeputy Head of School
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Rachel RyderDirector of Studies
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Vicky GaddSenior Lecturer
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Dr Charlotte HerriottSenior Lecturer
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Dr Elina Karpacheva-HockLecturer
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 Sociology
Clearing places available
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start
