The Essex website uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are consenting to their use. Please visit our cookie policy to find out which cookies we use and why. View cookie policy.

University of Essex homepage Course Finder Criminology
Subject

Criminology

Criminology
Undergraduate Masters Research

Discover criminology degrees at Essex

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 choose Essex?
  • You are taught by staff who conduct world-leading research and write the textbooks
  • 92% of our Department of Sociology graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2023)
  • We pioneered sociologically informed approaches to criminology - Essex is where it all started
The Department of Sociology logo, home to criminology undergraduates at the University of Essex.
Learn more about criminology at Essex

Discover the home of criminology at Essex and visit the Department of Sociology. Discover what it's like to study at undergraduate level in this renowned Department.

Visit the home of criminology at Essex
Join our next open day
Discover more about our upcoming open days at the University of Essex and book your place.
Visit us virtually
Visit the University of Essex online, discover our accommodation and learn more about our subjects.
Apply to Essex
Find out how to apply to Essex and discover our helpful resources to support your application.
If you like criminology, you might also like:
Sociology
Psychology
Law
Journalism
Film studies
American (US) studies

Explore postgraduate criminology degrees at Essex

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 choose Essex?
  • We pioneered sociologically informed approaches to criminology — Essex is where it all started
  • We are 2nd in the UK for research power in sociology (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021)
  • 90% of our postgraduates are in highly skilled employment (Graduate Outcomes 2023)

Visit the home of criminology at Essex

Visit the Department of Sociology, home to criminology at Essex Learn more about postgraduate degrees in the Department of Sociology Explore research from the Department of Sociology

Resources for criminologists at Essex

Visit the UK Data Archive (UKDA), the UK's largest collection of social, economic and population data Visit the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER), a leading centre for longitudinal studies and data on how people's lives are changing over time
University of Essex Graduate Alumni
Learn more about postgraduate fees, funding and scholarships

Find a scholarship, discover postgraduate funding opportunities and learn more about the fee structure for postgraduate students at Essex.

Learn more about postgraduate fees and funding
Join an open day
Discover more about our upcoming open days at the University of Essex and book your place.
Visit us virtually
Visit the University of Essex online, discover our accommodation and learn more about our subjects.
Apply to Essex
Find out how to apply to Essex and discover our helpful resources to support your application.

Find criminology research degrees

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 research here?
  • We are 2nd in UK for research power in sociology (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).
  • We pioneered sociologically informed approaches to criminology - Essex is where it all started.
  • You work with world-leading scholars in an exciting and active research environment.

Find your academic supervisor

Search our staff profiles and discover the researchers open to academic supervision at the University of Essex.

A pair of glasses resting on top of an open notebook.
Learn more about fees, funding and scholarships for research students

Find a scholarship, discover funding opportunities and learn more about the fee structure for research students at Essex.

Learn more about fees and funding for research students

Visit the home of criminology at Essex

Visit the Department of Sociology, home to criminology at Essex Learn more about postgraduate degrees in the Department of Sociology Explore research from the Department of Sociology

Resources for criminologists at Essex

Visit the UK Data Archive (UKDA), the UK's largest collection of social, economic and population data Visit the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER), a leading centre for longitudinal studies and data on how people's lives are changing over time

Research clusters

Crime Justice and Public Policy Culture Identity and Subjectivity Social Divisions and Economic Life Sociological Foundations Theory and Method Transnationalism, Nation and Rights

Research centres

Centre for Criminology Centre for Global South Studies Centre for Intimate and Sexual Citizenship Centre for Migration Studies Centre for Research in Economic Sociology and Innovation
Visit us virtually
Visit the University of Essex online, discover our accommodation and learn more about our subjects.
Join an open day
Discover more about our upcoming open days at the University of Essex and book your place.
Apply to Essex
Find out how to apply to Essex and discover our helpful resources to support your application.
A student walking on campus at the University of Essex.
Want to know more?

Sign-up to learn about life as an Essex student with emails about accommodation, societies, careers support, facilities and more.

Sign-up to emails
Life at Essex
What it's like to live at Essex
Accommodation
Find your new home
CHAT TO US
ASK OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF ANYTHING
WE ARE
ESSEX ARE YOU?
Get a prospectus Get to know Essex
STUDY
Find a course
LIFE
RESEARCH
EXPLORE
CONTACT US
Contact


  • +44 (0) 1206 873333
  • University of Essex
  • Wivenhoe Park
  • Colchester CO4 3SQ

University of Essex - Where change happens

CONNECT WITH US
© 2023 University of Essex. All rights reserved