Criminology University of Reading

Overview

Key features

Throughout the Criminology BSc degree offered from the University of Reading this three-year degree is ideal if you have an interest in law, sociology, politics and social policy. You’ll study sociological, criminological and legal concepts, approaches and methodologies, gaining a critical understanding of crime, criminal justice, and their relationship with the law. You’ll also develop a solid understanding of social science research methodologies and ethics.

At the end of your degree, you’ll possess a strong grounding in both the legal framework and the challenges in which matters of crime and justice play out.

Uncover key concepts of criminology

Explore the critical questions that criminology addresses. What is crime? What is justice? To what extent is rule breaking governed by human nature versus wider social context? Whose account of crime and justice “counts” most and why?

Topics covered include:

• processes of criminalisation and victimisation
• causes and organisation of crime
• crime management and prevention
• interrelationship between crime, social inequalities and rights
• official and unofficial responses to crime
• punishment and media representations of crime

• politics of criminal justice policy.

Career opportunities:

Your criminology degree aims to equip you with research, analytical and communication skills that will prepare you for criminology careers or further study.

You’ll develop subject-specific knowledge relevant to careers in:

• government (Civil Service, local government offices)
• criminal justice (police, prison service, probation service, youth justice service)
• social work
• youth work
• non-governmental organisations
• welfare and service charities
• campaigning organisations and social research
• investigative journalism
• think tanks.

You may wish to undertake further study to work as a solicitor or in other legal professional jobs.