BA(Hons) in Criminology

Explore crime from multiple angles, and arm yourself with the specialist knowledge and skills that will get you noticed by employers when you graduate.

Why study criminology?

To tackle crime, we need to understand why it happens, what people feel about it, and how it impacts on individuals and society.

Exploring these issues from different angles is an essential part of discovering more effective deterrents and better forms of rehabilitation.

Studying this subject will give you the knowledge and skills to play your part in that work whether you choose to move into the criminal justice system itself or a related field.

Why study at UWE Bristol?

BA(Hons) Criminology teaches you about crime and the criminal justice system, drawing on sociology, law, psychology and philosophy, and applying theories, knowledge and research to real, contemporary issues.

Work with inspirational practitioners and researchers to explore the different perspectives of victims, offenders, the criminal justice system and the cultural forces at play.

Learn how to think critically, write reports, interpret data, formulate arguments, and make ethical judgements.

You'll carry out your own research, hear from guest speakers, and take part in work-based learning through our links with organisations such as the Bristol Young Offenders Scheme, the Institute of Psychotherapy and the police.

Activities such as volunteering, placements and internships will deepen your professional skills and knowledge further, to make you highly sought after when you graduate.

Where can it take me?

Criminology studies society in all its forms so it's the ideal platform for many careers.

You could work in government, the police and prison services, the court services, the NHS, educational institutions or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working with young offenders or victims of crime.

You could also go into social welfare or the private sector, working in private security or law.

At UWE Bristol we empower you to make a choice. To choose a university that challenges itself as much as you. To choose a passion that gives you purpose. To choose a community that leads the way, encouraging you to question everything, and to become the best you can be.

Change the world

At UWE Bristol, we’re focused on solving future global challenges through outstanding learning, world-leading research and a culture of enterprise.

Here, we empower our students to make a choice. To choose a university that pushes itself as much as it pushes them. To choose a community of original thinkers - breaking new boundaries and leading the way.

From our enterprise support programmes to industry masterclasses. Professional mentoring to business incubators. World-leading research facilities to work experience opportunities across the globe. We give our students the tools they need to act on their ideas and make them happen.

Each of our pioneering courses has been created in partnership with industry professionals. And over 150 come with professional accreditation from industry bodies. Coupled with world-class teaching, they’re designed to equip students with the most in-demand skills, and the kind of mindset that employers want and need. So that when you graduate from UWE Bristol, you’re ready to take on the world.

Our mindset

We believe that it’s only when you ask 'what if?' that you discover 'why not?'. That’s why we’re not afraid to ask difficult questions – and tackle the big issues head-on. It’s our way of continuing to make a real difference in the way we learn, analyse and contribute to the world we live in.

Our values

Ambitious

We’re not afraid to shape, challenge and tackle the big issues, to take the initiative and pave the way.

Inclusive

We make UWE Bristol a supportive and inspiring place to learn and work – somewhere where diversity of experience and perspective is encouraged, and learning and research are shared and accessible.

Innovative

We create new opportunities for the people who work and study with us. We embrace different ideas and pioneer new and sustainable ways of doing things.

Collaborative

We have strong connections locally and globally. We help people and organisations be the best they can, building trust throughout our university community and beyond.

Enterprising

We instil a thirst for new knowledge, its creation and application, empowering our students and staff to demonstrate a creative questioning approach, a 'can-do' confidence, and the ability to navigate uncertainty.