Criminology (Hons) Lancaster University

Overview

Through the  Criminology (Hons) course from Lancaster University you’ll look critically at the social, cultural, political, and economic contexts of crime and criminal justice, as well as viewing challenges through a social justice lens. You will examine how crime is portrayed in the media and popular culture and explore how deviancy is rendered as a criminal act and how activism and protest can be demonised.

You will learn to untangle the complex relationship between society, crime, and the criminal justice system and explore what alternative approaches to justice might look like now and in the future.

Together, we will investigate the historical, present, and future dimensions of crime—spanning urban streets to digital spaces in national and global perspectives.

Career opportunities:

This Criminology degree creates opportunities to work in a wide array of exciting and impactful careers, offering the chance to work at the intersections of justice and social change.

Alongside real-world experience, you’ll gain the professional skills that employers value. In addition to your comprehensive knowledge of crime and criminal justice in a range of contexts you will be a strong communicator with the confidence to speak in public, put forward an argument and make sound decisions. Able to think critically, carry out research and analyse data, you will be a valuable asset in any professional role.

Your degree will prepare you for roles with criminal justice agencies (the Police, Prison Service, the National Probation Service), the Home Office, the Department for Health, Social Services, charities and the Youth Offending Service.

A dedicated careers team is on hand to help you make decisions about your future, and we’ll explain how to access professional bodies and criminal justice organisations. You will graduate with the skills, experience and contacts you need for a rewarding career within the criminal justice system and beyond.

Our graduates have gone on to roles with:

• Criminal justice agencies (the police force, HM Prison Service, the National Probation Service, GSL UK)
• The Home Office & Ministry of Justice
• The Department for Health and Social Care
• Local Government
• NHS trusts
• Charities
• Youth offending services
• Legal and Consulting firms
• Banks and financial institutions

You may also choose to go on to further study or gain professional qualifications that will take your career further.

Careers and employability support

The degrees open up an extremely wide array of career pathways in businesses and organisations, large and small, in the UK and overseas.

We run a paid internship scheme specifically for our arts, humanities and social sciences students, supported by a specialist Employability Team. The team offer individual consultations and tailored application guidance, as well as careers events, development opportunities, and resources.