Criminology and History BA (Hons)

Uncover the past, make sense of the present and investigate crime and its causes with our Criminology and History BA. Explore themes such as crime, justice, victimisation and crime control while decoding the past to discover the social, economic, political and cultural forces that have shaped today’s world. This programme equips you with real-world expertise, critical thinking and analytical skills, and the professional capabilities needed to pursue diverse career pathways in sectors including the police, law, journalism and the civil service.

Why choose this course?
• Global Top 300 for Social Sciences (Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings, 2022)



• Keele pioneered the teaching of undergraduate Criminology in the UK



• Learn to critically evaluate and reflect on historical events and how these have impacted the world we live in



• Undertake a work placement to prepare you for future employment



• Study abroad to experience a different culture at a partner university



Curious about crime and its impact? Fascinated by the past and how crime has changed over time? Our Criminology and History degree lets you explore both subjects, deepening your understanding of crime and society through studying diverse criminological perspectives and pivotal historical events. Youll develop a strong foundation in current theories, concepts, and methodologies to better understand contemporary global challenges.

Explore the nature of crime, how it’s defined by law and public opinion, and its impact on society. Through real-world case studies, you’ll examine criminal behaviour, justice, victimisation, and crime control.

Delve into the social, cultural, and international factors influencing crime, analyse criminological data, and evaluate global approaches to criminal justice. Develop critical thinking skills to question the effectiveness of crime prevention and justice systems.

A diverse range of historical topics are explored that will sharpen your knowledge, critical thinking and analytical skills. You’ll trace the forces of change in human history, analysing how these defining moments have impacted on societies and the world. In doing so, you will build research skills, evaluate historical evidence, and reflect on key events to hone your critical thinking and gain transferable skills to effectively interpret information.

About Keele

Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.

We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.

Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre

Career focused courses, a vibrant student community and a beautiful 600-acre campus – this is Keele.

Whether you’re a passionate natural scientist, or eager to explore law, business, humanities or social sciences, our innovative courses are designed with your future in mind. Many of our courses offer a placement opportunity – just one of our initiatives that prepare you for real-world success.

Recognised for outstanding student experience and teaching quality, we were ranked a Top 10 UK university for student satisfaction across 15 subjects (National Student Survey 2025, broad-based English universities) and achieved Double Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (2017 and 2023).

Located in the Staffordshire countryside, but within easy reach of a bustling town, vibrant city and our noisy neighbours of Manchester and Birmingham, Keele truly offers the best of both worlds: a close-knit campus community and an exciting local area to explore.

We’d love to see you on campus soon.