University of Manchester

BA in Criminology

Our BA Criminology course gives you the tools to explore crime as one of today’s most pressing social issues, and to understand how it connects with wider political, social and economic challenges. You’ll study theories of crime and deviance alongside real-world issues such as organised crime, domestic violence, cybercrime, youth offending, prisons and probation, and modern slavery.

You’ll also develop advanced skills in data analysis and research methods, learning how criminologists investigate complex problems and generate evidence to shape policy and practice. Learning goes beyond the classroom.

You’ll take part in field trips, such as visits to Manchester Crown Court, and engage directly with professionals to see how criminological knowledge is applied in practice. Optional opportunities – including placements, study abroad, or specialist units – allow you to tailor your course around your interests and career ambitions.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have developed the analytical, research and communication skills valued in a wide range of roles. Criminology graduates from Manchester go on to careers in policing, offender management, probation, prisons, youth justice, victim support, research, policy and beyond.

Special features

Student societies
Benefit from networking and professional development opportunities through our student societies. The Manchester University Criminology Society (MUCS) is a long-established society for those who have an interest in crime and criminal justice. The Society promotes greater integration between students on different courses studying criminology.

Paid placement opportunity
Apply for a paid summer Q-Step internship between Years 2 and 3. This is an excellent opportunity to gain work experience and make contacts, while putting the skills you learn into practice. Recent placements include the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, and the College of Policing.

Professional Experience Year
You apply in Year 1 to boost your employability through a paid Professional Experience Year. If you meet the criteria, the Professional Experience Team and Careers Service will work with you to find a suitable placement in Year 2. You will complete your Professional Experience Year in Year 3 extending your degree to four years, before returning to the University to finish your final year. Your degree title will include 'with Professional Experience', giving you an advantage of work experience when entering the graduate jobs market.

Teaching and learning

Lectures are delivered to a large group of students, covering an overview of a particular subject.

Tutorials are small groups where you discuss in greater depth a topic you are learning.

You need to prepare in advance and submit written work for each subject.

We offer skills sessions to enhance your academic learning and employability.

If you apply to study abroad, you will complete course units in your host university, taught in English, which focus on criminology subjects or other topics of interest.

You will spend around 40 hours per week studying, including lectures, workshops and tutorials.

Coursework and assessment

Methods of assessing your work are:

• essays;
• oral presentations;
• short exercises or written pieces, eg, blogs and learning portfolios;
• project work;
• exams.

We provide helpful and detailed feedback on all written and oral work.

Course content for year 1

Compulsory course units allow you to develop an understanding of the sociological and psychological explanations for crime and criminal behaviour.

Study the criminal justice system and criminal law alongside theories of criminal behaviour.

Begin to appreciate the methods used to research crime and deviance.

Course content for year 2

Extend your understanding of criminological theory and your knowledge of the practices and techniques used in contemporary criminal justice systems.

Develop your knowledge of specific patterns of crime and criminality, as well as your understanding of research methods.

Course content for year 3

Continue to extend your understanding of criminological theory and your knowledge of the practices and techniques used in contemporary criminal justice systems.

Study a unique range of optional subjects delivered by leading experts teaching from original research projects. Topics include drugs and society, the criminal psychopath, and serious and organised crime.

Hone your research and project management skills with a dissertation on a criminological topic of your choosing.

Course content for year 4

If you are selected to take up the Professional Experience opportunity in Year 3, then you will take Year 3 course content in Year 4.

We have an excellent reputation for employability. We are currently the joint-most targeted university by top graduate recruiters in the UK.

Our graduates pursue a variety of careers, including:

• criminal justice system-related professions;
• police and offender management (e.g., Probation Service);
• community justice;
• national intelligence and security agencies;
• charity and voluntary sector organisations;
• government;
• teaching.

The BA Criminology course has employability skills embedded throughout.

You will have access to specialist careers events covering a broad range of professions and opportunities for you to meet professionals working in criminal justice-related areas.

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you will have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate.

At Manchester, you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability, further study, research degrees (PhD), and research jobs across sectors.

Ranked 1st for Criminology in the UK (The Guardian league table for Best UK universities for criminology).