Subject

Criminology

Impatient to explore crime, criminal justice and punishment?

Criminology
You want to understand why crime happens. 

You’re prepared to challenge the accepted concepts of justice, punishment and social control and have a meaningful impact on society. At Essex we encourage you to question the prescribed and critique the accepted norms. Harnessing a criminological imagination will give you fresh eyes to view some of the today’s most pressing issues. If you're impatient to understand the nature of crime, welcome home! But be warned,  you will see the world in a completely different way.

Why study here?
  • You are taught by staff who conduct world-leading research and write the textbooks
  • 85% of our Department of Sociology graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2022)
  • Top 25 for criminology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)
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Chat with Emily, a BA Criminology with Social Psychology student

Fancy discovering what student life at Essex is like? Want to learn more about the department? Why not talk to Emily, a 2nd year student studying in the Department of Sociology

Chat with Emily
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There are few things as enlightening as studying crime, criminals and criminal justice.

Although there are many different approaches to the subject, at Essex we take a sociological view. You critique ideas and concepts of justice, punishment and social control. Our courses are contemporary and informed by global theory. You study with other committed, engaged and motivated students, and have the opportunity to attend guest-speaker seminars, events and conferences. Impatient to understand crime? Welcome home!

Why study here?
  • Top 25 for criminology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)
  • We pioneered sociologically informed approaches to criminology — Essex is where it all started
  • 91% of our postgraduates are in highly skilled employment (Graduate Outcomes 2022)
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Our Centre for Criminology is a local and international centre of excellence for the study of criminology.

We attract research funding, produce world class research outputs and engage with local schools, colleges and businesses. With our integrated, four-year PhD, you follow our Sociological Research pathway in your first year. This provides Masters-level research training, before undertaking your PhD research. This course is also available for study on a full or part time basis. 

Why study here?
  • We are 2nd in UK for research power in sociology (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).
  • We're ranked 16th for criminology in the UK according to the Times Good University Guide 2021
  • You work with world-leading scholars in an exciting and active research environment.
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We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.