Studying criminology abroad

What is criminology?

Criminology is the study of crime, its causes, its impacts, and how society responds to it. As a field of study it explores psychology, law, sociology, and justice systems to understand criminal behaviour and prevention.

Studying criminology at university involves analysing real cases, researching crime trends, and debating justice policies.

You will get to learn through a mix of theory and practical work, helping you to develop critical thinking and investigative skills for a career in law enforcement, research, social work, or policymaking.

Why study criminology abroad?

Studying criminology abroad will give you a global view of crime, justice and law enforcement. It presents a chance to learn different legal systems, explore real world cases, and gain valuable research skills.

Plus, experiencing new cultures will help you to develop a broader understanding of crime and society – great for a career in law, policy, or research.

What you will study

In a criminology degree, you’ll study:

• Theories of Crime – Understanding why people commit crimes.
• Criminal Justice Systems – Exploring policing, courts, and corrections worldwide.
• Crime & Society – Examining how crime affects different communities.
• Law & Policy – Learning about criminal law and justice policies.
• Forensic Psychology – Studying criminal behavior and offender profiling.
• Research Methods – Analysing crime data and trends.
• Punishment & Rehabilitation – Exploring prisons, sentencing, and rehabilitation programs.
• Cybercrime & Modern Issues – Investigating online crime, terrorism, and organised crime.

Accreditation

A criminology degree can lead to different awards at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels:

Undergraduate Level:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminology – Focuses on the social and theoretical aspects of crime.
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Criminology – Includes more research methods, data analysis, and forensic elements.
• Joint Honours Degree – Criminology combined with subjects like psychology, law, or sociology.

Postgraduate Level:

• Master of Arts (MA) in Criminology – A deeper look into crime theory, policy, and justice systems.
• Master of Science (MSc) in Criminology – Focuses on research, analytics, and applied criminology.
• Master of Laws (LLM) in Criminal Law & Justice – For those specialising in the legal aspects of crime.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Criminology – Advanced research leading to academic or policy-making careers.

Careers

As a graduate of a criminology degree or masters degree you will have diverse career opportunities. You could work in law enforcement as a police officer, or in criminal justice agencies like probation services.

Other roles include working as a criminologist, researcher, or policy advisors, analysing crime data and developing crime prevention strategies. Some graduates pursue careers in forensics, victim support, or prison management. You could also choose to work in social work, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration.

If you choose to go onto further education, you might be able to enter academia or become a legal professional, contributing to policy and criminal law reform.