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

Discover the most recent advancements in areas such as crime trends, restorative justice, policing and punishment. Build transferable skills required for criminological careers and for a wide range of professions that require critical thinking and problem solving.

Explore patterns in crime, punishment and policing, and learn how to think, analyse and research as a criminologist.

In your first year you’ll gain a critical introduction to crime and criminology. You’ll then build on your knowledge, analysing how crime operates in society and how justice systems respond and evolve.

As you progress, you’ll develop critical thinking, academic writing and research skills that are highly in demand in a range of professional fields such as the criminal justice system, government, non-profit organisations and the private sector. You’ll also be able to tailor your degree and specialise according to your interests and career goals through a range of optional modules.

With criminology at Sheffield, you have the option to study your third year abroad in one of our many partner universities for an insight into new criminological concepts.

You can gain real-world experience alongside your studies in an optional year in industry to build skills highly sought after by employers.

Whatever way you customise your degree, you’ll graduate with the skills needed for a diverse range of careers that call for critical analysis and problem-solving, in the criminological field and beyond.

Why study this course?

* Study at the UK’s top university for graduate prospects in criminology - Join the UK’s top university for graduate prospects in criminology (Times Higher Education 2025).


* Get ahead with real work experience - You’ll have the opportunity to build real work experience and stand out in a competitive job market, including with the option to take a placement year in industry.


* Benefit from over 35 years of criminological experience - You’ll be taught by experts in one of the UK’s first criminology departments that has been shaping the field for over 35 years. You’ll learn from specialists with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research, and whose work influences how criminology is understood today.