BSc Criminology

Explore crime and criminal justice – from causes to controls to consequences – with our BSc Criminology degree.

Offered by the School of Law, this three-year degree is ideal if you have an interest in law, sociology, politics and social policy. You’ll study sociological, criminological and legal concepts, approaches and methodologies, gaining a critical understanding of crime, criminal justice, and their relationship with the law. You’ll also develop a solid understanding of social science research methodologies and ethics. In the National Student Survey 2023, 90% of our students said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (90% of respondents studying in the School of Law).

At the end of your degree, you’ll possess a strong grounding in both the legal framework and the challenges in which matters of crime and justice play out.

Uncover key concepts of criminology

Explore the critical questions that criminology addresses. What is crime? What is justice? To what extent is rule breaking governed by human nature versus wider social context? Whose account of crime and justice “counts” most and why?

Topics covered include:

processes of criminalisation and victimisation
causes and organisation of crime
crime management and prevention
interrelationship between crime, social inequalities and rights
official and unofficial responses to crime
punishment and media representations of crime
politics of criminal justice policy.

Where criminology meets law and policy

Our BSc Criminology degree provides you with an education in criminology that is interwoven with the study of law.

You’ll acquire the foundational knowledge needed to produce and understand socio-legal and criminological research, yet the degree is designed with maximum flexibility to allow you to follow your interests. You have the opportunity to undertake optional modules on matters pertinent to law, studying alongside LLB Law students.

Learn more about studying criminology at the University of Reading

You’ll learn via lectures, seminar discussions, prescribed and recommended reading, and the writing of essays and a dissertation.

Join a vibrant research environment

Our BSc Criminology degree strongly aligns with the research and teaching expertise of the School of Law, where 99% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Law).

Our research reflects the breadth of our academic expertise, spanning human rights, security, global law, financial regulation and law in society, with a strong concern for social justice matters.

Take full advantage of the School of Law’s research seminars and guest speakers, which offer a different perspective and keep you in touch with the latest global developments.

Previous speakers have visited from:

Birkbeck, University of London
London School of Economics and Political Science
the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.

Your degree your way

Whether you have a particular passion or want to explore a broad range of socio-legal topics, you can create your own pathway with our extensive range of optional modules, both within the School of Law and from other relevant disciplines.

Possible pathways may include:

Sex, Gender and the Law
International Law and Security
Human Rights
Children, Families and Youth Justice.

Develop your skills in criminological research and practice

Throughout your studies, you’ll receive training to conduct research effectively – beginning with interpreting primary sources and understanding research methodologies.

Your second and third years will see you inducted into the criminological community of practice as you research matters of crime and justice and ethical practice in social science research.

Also in your third year, a dissertation research project will enable you to work with archives and other secondary data sources. As well as first-hand analysis of empirical datasets about crime and justice under the guidance of your supervisor, you may have the opportunity to analyse data and questions connected with live research projects being undertaken by our staff.

Learn from leaders in the field

Our academics regularly feature in academic literature and the media, offering their expertise on current issues. As such, our teaching is research-led and relevant.

Learn how research by Dr Beatrice Krebs helped abolish the doctrine of 'joint enterprise' in murder cases.
Professor Jo Phoenix researches sex, gender, sexualities and justice, youth justice and punishment, the production of criminological knowledge and research ethics. She has started research centres and networks including the Centre for Sex, Gender and Sexualities, and the Open University Gender Critical Research Network.
Professor Marko Milanovic has served as one of three high-level experts assisting the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights on the examination of alleged human rights violations committed in Belarus. He is currently advising a taskforce supporting the Prosecutor General of Ukraine regarding accountability for crimes committed during the Ukrainian conflict.
Professor Rosa Freedman is a member of the UN Secretary-General's Civil Society Advisory Board on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. She works closely with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as a member of the Steering Committee on Women, Peace and Security.
Dr Alexander Gilder, one of the few international lawyers working on UN peace operations, is at the cutting-edge of research on stabilisation, the protection of civilians, and security sector reform.

Gain real-world experience

During your Criminology degree, you will have opportunities to gain hands-on experience in real-world settings through voluntary placement opportunities:

Thames Valley Police

An immersive placement where you will gain insight and practical experience in the police by spending 8 days in 8 different settings from the control room to crime scene investigation.

Death Penalty Clinic

An opportunity for you to work with Dr Alexandra Cox and Dr Leandro Ayres França for one year on real death penalty cases across the globe.

Elizabeth Fry Charity

A placement working with and supporting women involved in the criminal justice system.

Learn more about how you'll study criminology as an undergraduate

Overview

Explore crime and criminal justice – from causes to controls to consequences – with our BSc Criminology degree.

At the end of your degree, you’ll possess a strong grounding in both the legal framework and the challenges in which matters of crime and justice play out.

Uncover key concepts of criminology

Topics covered include:

processes of criminalisation and victimisation
causes and organisation of crime
crime management and prevention
interrelationship between crime, social inequalities and rights
official and unofficial responses to crime
punishment and media representations of crime
politics of criminal justice policy.

Where criminology meets law and policy

Our BSc Criminology degree provides you with an education in criminology that is interwoven with the study of law.

Learn more about studying criminology at the University of Reading

Learning

You’ll learn via lectures, seminar discussions, prescribed and recommended reading, and the writing of essays and a dissertation.

Join a vibrant research environment

Our research reflects the breadth of our academic expertise, spanning human rights, security, global law, financial regulation and law in society, with a strong concern for social justice matters.

Take full advantage of the School of Law’s research seminars and guest speakers, which offer a different perspective and keep you in touch with the latest global developments.

Previous speakers have visited from:

Birkbeck, University of London
London School of Economics and Political Science
the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.

Your degree your way

Possible pathways may include:

Sex, Gender and the Law
International Law and Security
Human Rights
Children, Families and Youth Justice.

Develop your skills in criminological research and practice

Throughout your studies, you’ll receive training to conduct research effectively – beginning with interpreting primary sources and understanding research methodologies.

Your second and third years will see you inducted into the criminological community of practice as you research matters of crime and justice and ethical practice in social science research.

Learn from leaders in the field

Our academics regularly feature in academic literature and the media, offering their expertise on current issues. As such, our teaching is research-led and relevant.

Learn how research by Dr Beatrice Krebs helped abolish the doctrine of 'joint enterprise' in murder cases.
Professor Jo Phoenix researches sex, gender, sexualities and justice, youth justice and punishment, the production of criminological knowledge and research ethics. She has started research centres and networks including the Centre for Sex, Gender and Sexualities, and the Open University Gender Critical Research Network.
Professor Marko Milanovic has served as one of three high-level experts assisting the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights on the examination of alleged human rights violations committed in Belarus. He is currently advising a taskforce supporting the Prosecutor General of Ukraine regarding accountability for crimes committed during the Ukrainian conflict.
Professor Rosa Freedman is a member of the UN Secretary-General's Civil Society Advisory Board on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. She works closely with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as a member of the Steering Committee on Women, Peace and Security.
Dr Alexander Gilder, one of the few international lawyers working on UN peace operations, is at the cutting-edge of research on stabilisation, the protection of civilians, and security sector reform.

Gain real-world experience

During your Criminology degree, you will have opportunities to gain hands-on experience in real-world settings through voluntary placement opportunities:

Thames Valley Police

An immersive placement where you will gain insight and practical experience in the police by spending 8 days in 8 different settings from the control room to crime scene investigation.

Death Penalty Clinic

An opportunity for you to work with Dr Alexandra Cox and Dr Leandro Ayres França for one year on real death penalty cases across the globe.

Elizabeth Fry Charity

A placement working with and supporting women involved in the criminal justice system.

Learn more about how you'll study criminology as an undergraduate

Entry requirements A Level ABB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

ABB

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

Pre-sessional English language programme

Our Pre-sessional English Programme is for international students who need to meet their degree programme English language requirements.

Our courses equip you with the skills and language needed for academic success, including critical thinking, self-reflection, learner autonomy, research skills and integrating sources. The Pre-sessional English Programme is accredited by the global association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes, which guarantees you will receive a high-quality student experience.

To find out more, visit Pre-sessional English.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

Compulsory modules

Introduction to Criminology

Explore crime, justice, punishment and social harm as you explore the discipline of criminology. You’ll consider main theoretical perspectives as you learn about criminology’s main concepts, the nature of crimes, and the correlation of social inequalities such as class, age, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and disability with victims.

Legal Skills for Criminologists

Develop your understanding of the English legal system and its relation to criminology as a discipline. As you study, you'll examine the interrelationship between society, culture and the law and develop practical, transferable skills.

Criminal Law

Explore the application of a range of criminal offences and defences as you learn the fundamental principles of criminal law in the English Legal System. You’ll gain an appreciation of the development of the criminal law by precedent and statutory interpretation, focusing on law in theory and practice and the need for reform.

Introduction to Criminal Justice

Study the process for preventing and managing crime. You’ll be introduced to main criminological traditions and perspectives relevant to studying criminal justice, focusing on the development, role, organisation, and governance of the main institutions and agencies involved in crime control and punishment.

Optional modules

Law and Society

Discover the role that law plays in modern society as you examine some of the profound changes that have taken place in society over the last 200 years. You’ll critically analyse the ways law has evolved to meet the changing needs and values of our society and assess whether the legal system has been successful at keeping pace.

Optional choices from the University-wide catalogue

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Crime and Media

Learn to think critically about the relationship between media and crime. You’ll study theoretical perspectives on representation and the research methods needed to analyse media representations of crime and media in everyday life. Explore critical perspectives about media institutions and analyse how they build on and from ‘crime stories'.

Advanced Criminological Theory

Gain insight into the development of key criminological perspectives since the 1960s and their continuing relevance for understanding crime and processes of criminalisation. You’ll examine contemporary concepts and study the interconnections between crime, criminalisation, victimisation and social inequalities.

Criminological Research Methods

Develop an understanding of social science research and how it is applied to the study of crime and justice. As you study, you’ll rely on qualitative and quantitative research methods and learn how to analyse data.

Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice

Study the administration of criminal justice and the agencies involved, including how they have evolved and how they engage with governmental bodies. You’ll study contemporary policy debates in criminal justice in the context of broader social changes, inequalities, and political and ideological processes.

Optional modules

Critical Victimology

Analyse the experiences of victims and the processes by which the experience of being a victim is recognised by the criminal justice system. You’ll consider the main theoretical perspectives of positivist, radical and critical victimology as you develop a deep understanding of the role of ‘the victim’ and how crime impacts the individual.

Introduction to International and European Human Rights Law

Learn about human rights treaties, conventions and resolutions implemented by the United Nations, and the international systems that operate to ensure the implementation and enforcement of them.

Evidence

Study the modern law of evidence in criminal and civil cases and gain an appreciation of the approach taken by the courts to evidential issues. You’ll take part in practical activities and scenarios to develop an understanding of the purpose and nature of legal rules of evidence.

Research Project

Grow your understanding of criminal law through your own research project.

Women, Crime and Justice

Explore women’s experiences of offending, victimisation, criminal justice and punishment. You’ll analyse women’s experience in historical and contemporary contexts from a range of perspectives, relying on key theories and methodologies that employ a feminist analysis of crime and justice.

Foundations of International Law

Gain a crucial understanding of international law and the key foundational aspects of the international legal system. You’ll study the way international law is created, the different subjects of international law, the role of international dispute settlement, and how states are found responsible for breaches of international law.

Legal Writing Credit

Embark on a piece of assessed written work that will allow you to independently research a set topic and produce a critical essay. You’ll rely on relevant legal materials to develop a critical, original argument in response to your chosen topic.

Religion and Law

Study the intersectionality of law within a variety of different religions. You’ll consider how different religions have impacted the law and cultivate a critical understanding of the relationship between the two. Considering theoretical stand points, you’ll develop an enhanced knowledge of religious freedom in the English legal system and its relation to international human rights.

Optional choices from the University-wide catalogue

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Dissertation

Embark on a research journey that allows you to implement all you‘ve learned about law and legal theory. You’ll identify your own research question, conduct research, and analyse relevant law and literature to organise and articulate an extended written project.

Optional modules

Youth Justice

Take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the history and theory of childhood and delinquency, and learn to critically assess the multiple explanations for youth offending. You’ll also learn about the experiences people have had in youth justice systems.

Crimes of the Powerful

Moving away from ‘street-based’ crime, you’ll consider the ways in which some of the most harmful crimes are committed by powerful actors within society – including state actors and corporations. You’ll examine the nature, extent and impact of the harms of the powerful and explanations for these types of activities.

Contemporary Issues in Punishment

Explore contemporary theories, debates and issues in penology and punishment. You’ll analyse the changing social, cultural and political meanings of formal and informal modes of punishment and custodial social regulation.

Family Law

Study the private area of law relating to the family and the consequences of = familial breakdown. You’ll apply the law analytically to understand the process of dissolution and how arrangements for children are made.

Race, Ethnicity and Justice

Investigate the relationship between race, ethnicity and criminal justice as you examine key institutions such as the police, prosecution, defence, judges and juries. You’ll learn from the point of view of race and racism, exploring the long history of holding these organisations to account for racial and ethnic disparities.

Prisons in Crisis

Explore how criminologists make sense of key debates surrounding prisons and failure of criminal justice. You’ll study crises related to prison violence and suicide, racialised mass incarceration in American prisons, the overcrowding of English prisons, and warehousing of prisoners in Brazil.

Green Criminology: Environmental Crime and Climate Justice

Study environmental harm through a criminological lens as you ask questions about the forms of harm being done, where, by whom, to what effect, and what consequences and responses there might be. You’ll consider humans relationship to nature and the underlying political, social and cultural determinants of humans abuses to the natural world.

Children, Families and the State

Explore how the law is used to protect and promote the best interests of children and the duty of local authorities to assist children in their area. As you study, you’ll develop your presentation and research skills and have the opportunity to participate in a mock case.

Gender and Law

Critically analyse contemporary issues relating to sex and gender in a range of legal areas. You’ll develop a deep understanding of theoretical approaches related to the study of gender and law and learn to use them as critical tools to apply a gender critique to established legal concepts and categories.

Environment

Take a broad, comparative and transnational approach to the study of national and international environmental law and regulation. Alongside a main focus on English environmental law, you'll gain insights from countries across both the Global North and Global South.

Optional choices from the University-wide catalogue

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,535 per year for 2025/26 then fixed per year at this fee for the standard duration of your course.

New international students: £25,250 per year for 2025/26 then fixed per year at this fee for the standard duration of your course.

Tuition fees

To find out more about how the University of Reading sets its tuition fees, see our fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Where can criminology take you?

Your criminology degree aims to equip you with research, analytical and communication skills that will prepare you for criminology careers or further study.

You’ll develop subject-specific knowledge relevant to careers in:

government (Civil Service, local government offices)
criminal justice (police, prison service, probation service, youth justice service)
social work
youth work
non-governmental organisations
welfare and service charities
campaigning organisations and social research
investigative journalism
think tanks.

You may wish to undertake further study to work as a solicitor or in other legal professional jobs.

Careers support from the School of Law

You’ll benefit from our dedicated careers advisor and other employability support offered by the School of Law.

This includes:

help with CV writing, placement applications and interview techniques
regular commercial awareness workshops and other career-orientated events – such as employer visits, alumni conversations and career talks – featuring practitioners from a range of fields discussing their work.

BSc Criminology

Gain real-world experience

Thames Valley Police

Death Penalty Clinic

Elizabeth Fry Charity

Tuition fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

Ready for more?