Criminology - BA (Hons)

What causes crime and deviance, and what are its consequences Today’s global criminal justice system needs graduates with expert knowledge and a drive to make real- world change. Our BA Criminology course equips you to answer these questions and more, by exploring how crime is shaped by, and impacts, real- world social contexts. Through your studies, you will engage critically with victims, criminality, policing and media representations of crime, supported by a learning environment that encourages discussion, debate and independent thinking. You will move beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries to examine how crime intersects with wider political, social and economic factors including gender, class, ethnicity and inequality. This grounding enables you to understand not only how crime is defined and responded to, but how ideas of crime and deviance connect to broader social debates. Guided by leading criminology experts, you will establish advanced skills in data analysis and research methods, learning how criminologists investigate complex problems, work with data and generate evidence to shape policy, practice and public understanding. Learning here goes beyond the classroom. You will take part in field trips, such as visits to Manchester Crown Court, and engage directly with professionals to gain insight into how criminological knowledge is applied in practice. Optional opportunities, including placements, study abroad, or specialist units, allow you to tailor your course around your interests and career ambitions. University of Manchester graduates are highly targeted by top employers (High Fliers Graduate Market Report, 2026). By the time you graduate, you will have developed the analytical, research and communication skills highly valued in a wide range of roles giving you the competitive edge for careers related to criminal justice and crime reduction, including the police, prisons, offender management, youth justice and victimisation, as well as role outside of the sector such as in social research, government or teaching.

The University welcomes applications from appropriately qualified candidates across the world. We value global talent and are proud to receive applications from a wide range of educational systems and national backgrounds. Because international qualifications vary widely, it is not possible for us to list entry information for every country on this page. If your country is not listed below, please contact us and a member of our team will be happy to assist you: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/contact-international-team/