Criminology
Criminology
Discover criminology undergraduate degrees
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.
Course
Now in clearing
On our course you explore the nature of crime, criminal justice and punishment within wider social contexts.
Course
Now in clearing
BA (Hons) Criminology (Including Foundation Year)
BA Criminology (including Foundation Year) prepares you for university study while introducing you to the fields of criminology and sociology
Course
Now in clearing
BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology
Combine specialist study of criminology with a broad approach to sociological thought. Study crime, criminals, & criminal justice within wider social context.
Course
Now in clearing
BA (Hons) Criminology with Criminal Law
Why should crime be punished? What shapes criminal law in principle and practice? Explore these questions and more through BA Criminology with Criminal Law
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Now in clearing
BA (Hons) Criminology with Social Psychology
Examine the foundations of criminology, exploring the nature of crime, criminals & criminal justice within wider social & psychological contexts
Course
Now in clearing
BA (Hons) Criminology with Counselling Skills
This course explores crime and society, alongside counselling which examines the nature of emotional difficulties and human relationships.
Clearing 2026
Get ahead of results day. Explore your Clearing options now and be ready to secure your place with us when the time comes.
Why choose Essex?
- 15th in UK for Sociology in Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024
- 21st in UK for sociology (Daily Mail University Guide 2026)
- 30th in UK for sociology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
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. Want to understand crime? Welcome home!
Why choose Essex?
- 15th in UK for Sociology in Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024
- 21st in UK for sociology (Daily Mail University Guide 2026)
- 30th in UK for sociology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
Course
On our course you explore the nature of crime, criminal justice and punishment within wider social contexts.
Course
MA Sociology and Criminology emboldens you to study crime, criminals, and criminal justice within wider social contexts.
Course
MA Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security
MA Organised Crime, Terrorism & Security addresses critical, conceptual & theoretical analyses of terrorism & counter-terrorism from a qualitative perspective.
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MSc Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security
In MSc Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security course you address cutting-edge critical, conceptual and theoretical analyses of terrorism and counter-terrorism.
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?
- 15th in UK for Sociology in Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024
- 21st in UK for sociology (Daily Mail University Guide 2026)
- 30th in UK for sociology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
Find your academic supervisor
Search our staff profiles and discover the researchers open to academic supervision at the University of Essex.
Research degree
Gain a PhD Criminology in a founding Sociology department, founded in 1964 with pioneering sociological approaches at its core.
Research degree
You will work with a supervisor whose role is to guide you through the different stages of your research degree. In some cases, you may have joint supervision.
Research degree
Combine your Masters and PhD study with our four-year integrated PhD Criminology.
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