Criminology and Policing Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Our Criminology and Policing degree gives you an in-depth knowledge of sociology, modern policing and criminal justice. By immersing yourself in these fascinating subjects you’ll develop a thorough understanding of criminology and get a genuine feel for the issues involved in police work.

Abertay's Criminology degrees are ranked TOP in Scotland for Criminology teaching (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).

Through a detailed study of crime and society, you’ll cover topics like policing in practice, cybercrime, and drugs and addiction. You'll discover how well these two topics complement each other from academic experts and speakers with real-world experience.

Work placement and special constable options

You'll get essential work experience and networking opportunities through a work placement that directly relates to your degree.

Plus, if you are keen to work for the police, you can apply to be a special constable. This experience puts you in a great position to pursue a career in the police force or the police service after you graduate. 

What you’ll study

In the first two years you concentrate on the foundations of criminology and sociology. After that you'll study the specific areas related to criminal justice and policing, such as: 

* Criminal investigation and policing in practice.

* Cybercrime and policing technology. 

* Drugs, addiction and society.

* Gender, crime and victimology. 

* The sociology of race and ethnicity.

Flexible pathway degrees

Criminology degrees here at Abertay are flexible. For the first two years, everyone studies the same curriculum. In third year you can choose to stay on this course, or switch to another 'criminology with' pathway.

The work skills you’ll develop

You’ll graduate with an in-depth understanding of sociology, modern policing and criminal justice.

We place a strong emphasis on developing your research skills, which are highly valued in the workplace. Whether it's collaboration, assessing evidence, writing reports, researching or project work, your criminology and policing studies are designed to make you extremely employable.

Whatever career you choose, we aim to help you become a confident, knowledgeable graduate with a great set of transferable skills.