Criminology and Sociology (Honours)

Overview

Within this Criminology and Sociology (Honours) from The Open University UK you’ll investigate questions of crime, criminalisation and social harm to determine whether society’s responses to these questions are adequate and appropriate. You’ll also explore how social worlds are made and how we, as individuals, are shaped by the societies in which we live.

Key facts:

• Explore lively and topical issues about contemporary social life and about crime, harm and criminal justice
• Learn to evaluate evidence critically and understand criminological and sociological problems better
• Examine the role of both theory and research in shaping knowledge about crime, justice and the wider social world
• Explore criminological and sociological topics of your own interest in depth in the final year.

Career opportunities:

A degree in criminology and sociology at The Open University UK can lead to employment across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Businesses, public sector organisations and educational institutions increasingly have to deal with social issues, and value the skills that criminology and sociology graduates can provide.

Please note, this degree does not guarantee entry to the career fields listed, which may require specialist qualifications to enter. However, it may help you gain those qualifications and enhance your prospects for progression once you are employed.

In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

• criminal justice worker – in prison, probation, police, victim and youth services 
• voluntary or third sector work with communities, victims, vulnerable populations 
• non-governmental organisations and aid workers
• social researcher
• community development worker