BSc Criminology and Sociology
About this course
Criminology and sociology are natural partners. Every crime takes place within a social context: it is shaped by poverty or inequality, by community norms and social pressures, by the institutions that define and enforce what counts as criminal, and by the experiences of the individuals involved. Sociology provides the conceptual frameworks and research methods needed to understand those contexts, while criminology focuses their application on crime, deviance, the criminal justice system and the social responses to harm. Studying them together gives you a more complete picture than either discipline alone could offer. At the University of Suffolk, the programme engages directly with controversial public issues and encourages open debate. You will explore theories of crime and deviance, the sociology of inequality, race, gender and class, the workings of the police, courts and prison system, the politics of criminal justice policy, and the social construction of crime itself. The degree develops your ability to gather and analyse evidence, to engage with complex social questions without reducing them to simple answers, and to communicate your thinking clearly and persuasively. The part-time mode of delivery makes the degree accessible to students who are balancing their studies with work or other commitments, and Suffolk's location in the east of England means you can draw on the distinctive social and demographic context of the region in your studies. Ipswich and the surrounding area offer real examples of the social phenomena you will study, from patterns of deprivation and regeneration to the challenges facing local criminal justice agencies. Graduates of criminology and sociology degrees move into careers in probation, social work, policing, the prison service, youth justice, policy, voluntary sector organisations, housing, community development and education. Many pursue postgraduate study in criminology, sociology, social policy, law or social work, which opens further specialist roles in research and professional practice.
Syllabus & Modules
Typical curriculumStudent Satisfaction
National Student Survey - 10 respondents (77% response rate)
What comes next? 🎓
Choosing the right university starts with choosing the right school. Explore transparent, data-driven school profiles powered by official DfE statistics.
Explore Schools on WhatSchool.ai →