Crime is a constant feature in today’s headlines – from sexual violence and homicide to the prison crisis and crimes against humanity. As crime and responses to it continue to evolve, this course invites you to dive into the dynamic and challenging world of criminology. You’ll explore the complexities of crime, its impact on individuals and society, and the workings of the criminal justice system.
Our course provides deep insight into forensic investigation, community policing, crime prevention, and deterrence strategies. You’ll also explore emerging areas in criminology, such as green criminology, restorative justice, and the criminology of media, culture and society.
We are committed to decolonising the curriculum, offering students a global perspective on crime and justice, and fostering a critical understanding of criminology in diverse cultural contexts. You’ll engage in forward-thinking debates about preventing and deterring criminal behaviour, and develop the skills to respond to today’s justice challenges through evidence-based approaches.
Through the lens of justice, collaboration and change, this course provides opportunity to interrogate and address individual, interpersonal, institutional and international approaches to crime. From understanding the impact of race and gender on justice outcomes, to addressing the complexities of youth justice and policing in communities, our course prepares you to confront pressing societal issues and contribute to meaningful change. By the end of this course, you’ll have gained the practical and theoretical tools to understand and evaluate contemporary issues in Criminal Justice.
Our learning approach is critical, constructive, and collaborative, ensuring you’re actively involved in problem-solving, teamwork, and hands-on research. You’ll tackle real-world challenges through a variety of assignments, such as live briefs from national and international agencies, problem-solving tasks, case files, research projects, and portfolios.
One of the course’s key features is our dedicated crime scene houses, where you’ll collect and analyse evidence in realistic scenarios, just as you would in a real-world investigation. You’ll also gain access to advanced forensic technologies, including a forensic interviewing suite and virtual reality tools, to critically evaluate key issues like the reliability of eyewitness testimony.
You will draw on the expertise of lecturers with extensive professional credentials and research experience and be inspired by industry guest speakers, including those who graduated from the university. We have research expertise in restorative, arts based, and trauma-informed practice in criminal justice and community transformation, as well as professional expertise of policing. One of our renowned criminologists advises on domestic violence and homicide cases and has appeared on major media platforms like BBC’s Panorama.
Throughout the course, you’ll gain hands-on experience through internships, fieldwork, and applied research. Right from the start, you’ll be trained in research skills, empowering you to design and carry out your own independent research project for your dissertation. Some students even contribute to local crime-prevention strategies. Work placements with police forces, local authorities, or community organizations (such as the Hollie Gazzard Trust, Gloucester Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and Victim Support), allow you to earn academic credit, while gaining hands-on experience of research and professional practice.
Join our vibrant criminology community and dive deeper into the areas of interest to you. You also have opportunities to be involved in the Homicide Research Group and the Sexual Violence Research Group. These collaborative groups allow you to work alongside faculty and peers on cutting-edge research.
104 – 120 UCAS tariff points, from any level 3 qualification, which includes A-levels, BTEC, T-levels and many other qualifications. Please see the UCAS tariff calculator for a list of level 3 qualifications and associated tariff points.
If you are unsure whether we could make you an offer or you have any questions, just get in touch with our admissions team who will be able to advise you.
English Language or Literature and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.
We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants, although some entry requirements may still apply for Professionally Accredited Courses. We accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas and make offers on an individual basis.
Please read the entry requirements for your country – and contact our admissions team if you have questions.
Here's an example of the types of modules you'll study (the contents and structure of the course are reviewed occasionally, but it is unlikely that there will be significant change).
Module information is not available for this programme.
You're viewing fees for the course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.
| Start date | Location | UCAS code |
Fee (UK) Fee per year |
Fee (international) Fee per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham | M900 | TBC | TBC |
| Sep 2025 | Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham | M900 | £9,535 | £17,425 |
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International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. |
Find out more | |||
At UoG we create a climate for bravery and growth. We instil confidence in all our students, so you can graduate career-ready and meet your ambitions.
95% of our graduates are in work or further study*, but if you’re not in a job 6 months after graduating we’ll guarantee you 6 months of free support, followed by the offer of a paid internship to kickstart your career – plus we’ll commit to lifetime career coaching. Eligibility conditions apply.
*Graduate Outcomes Survey published 2024 and based on 2021/22 leavers
Discover our promisesThis course will enable you to pursue a meaningful and impactful career in the field of criminology. Designed for individuals interested in pursuing opportunities within the police, prison service, youth service, and other criminal justice agencies, this course provides a deep understanding of the societal and psychological factors surrounding crime.
Through hands-on experiences and interactions with professionals in the field, you will develop essential skills that are applicable to a range of roles within the criminal justice system. The course covers a wide array of topics, including theories of crime and justice, as well as their practical application in real-world scenarios.
This approach not only prepares you for employment, but also equips you with the necessary tools to adapt and thrive throughout your career in criminology, ultimately making substantial contributions to a safer and more equitable society.
Our partnership with the Ministry of Justice means our students can take part in their mentoring scheme – which has been shortlisted as a finalist for excellence in career and employability service engagement (Target Jobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2020).
Students are encouraged to join the Homicide Research Group, led by Professor Jane Monckton Smith, to analyse real cases. Published research from this group has been influential in shaping police response to stalking and domestic violence.
Recent guest lecturers have included the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, former chief constables, professionals who work with victims of domestic violence, plus members of Thames Valley Anti-terrorism Unit, Youth Justice Services, Metropolitan Police Service and HM Prison Service.
You’ll learn how a crime scene should be managed, and how forensic teams collect, preserve and analyse evidence.
Gain new skills and develop innovative projects using cutting-edge facilities, labs and suites. Work with expert lecturers and professionals from across the industry.
In your first year you’ll study the relevance of criminology on a GB-based residential field week. In your second or third year you could choose to take a field week module to a location such as Canada, South Africa or Bosnia where you will learn about some of the distinctive challenges facing those societies, and different features of their criminal justice systems.
To develop your skills for employment you can complete a short internship in the workplace.
Our links with Gloucestershire Constabulary mean you can also experience community policing first-hand, working as part of the Student Community Patrol which helps to keep people safe while they enjoy Cheltenham’s nightlife.
“I support the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan. I work with community groups to create a safer Gloucestershire. As part of my degree, I volunteered with Cheltenham West End Partnership. I worked on projects to integrate diverse communities. I really enjoyed seeing the positive difference effective community engagement makes. It made me realise that I want to work with the community in this way.”
Joanna Szymanska, Criminology graduate
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