Criminology And Sociology

Criminology and sociology at Edge Hill University is a combination that approaches some of the most pressing questions in contemporary social life from two complementary analytical positions. Sociology examines the structures, processes and cultural forces that shape social experience and produce inequality; criminology uses similar tools to ask specifically how crime is defined, who commits it and why, who is harmed by it, and how institutions respond. Together, the disciplines offer a more complete picture of social harm and social control than either can provide alone.

At Edge Hill, this three-year full-time degree includes a sandwich year, year abroad and work placement, adding professional experience and international perspective to an academically grounded programme.

You will engage with sociological theory and empirical research on class, race, gender and social change alongside criminological perspectives that range from traditional crime science through to critical and abolitionist approaches that question the very nature of crime and punishment. Research methods in both quantitative and qualitative traditions run through the curriculum, developing your ability to investigate social phenomena rigorously rather than simply accepting received accounts. The work placement gives you direct experience in a relevant professional setting, and the year abroad extends your analytical perspective into another national context.

A typical entry tariff of around 104 points is expected.

Graduates pursue careers in criminal justice, social work, community development, policy research, journalism, education, youth work, probation, the voluntary sector and local government. The combination of sociological and criminological training is particularly valuable in roles that engage with social disadvantage, structural inequality and the justice system simultaneously. Many graduates proceed to postgraduate study in criminology, social policy, social work or sociology, deepening their expertise before specialising professionally.