BA (Hons) in Criminology Anglia Ruskin University

Explore the nature of crime, justice and punishment and prepare for a career in criminal justice and crime prevention by studying for our Criminology degree in Cambridge.

In doing so, you’ll challenge your existing opinions. You’ll also develop skills in evaluating contrasting evidence, critical thinking and crafting arguments by learning how sociologists, psychologists, political theorists and law experts approach crime and complex social problems.

Our BA (Hons) Criminology course places value on hands-on learning. We learn through case studies, the latest research and interactive sessions. There may be field trips to courts, prisons and sites such as Auschwitz.

We have a supportive community of staff and students at ARU. Throughout your BA (Hons) Criminology degree, you’ll benefit from one-to-one personal tutoring and dedicated Criminology social media groups.

Together, we’ll explore the causes of, responses to, and media representation of the most relevant crimes of today. These include violence against women and girls, crimes of the powerful, opportunistic crimes, war crimes, corruption and urban culture.

You’ll prepare for your future career from the first semester: building a portfolio and CV, attending volunteer and employment fairs, taking part in our annual Criminology conference, and hearing from key figures in criminal justice debates and the authors of important criminology texts.

What’s more, our links to local and national organisations give you the chance to gain work experience and lay the groundwork for your final-year research project. You could also take up a volunteering placement with organisations like Romsey Mill, a local charity committed to overcoming disadvantage, challenging injustice and promoting social inclusion with young people, children and families.

You could also enhance your CV by studying abroad for a semester – with funding on offer to help cover the cost.

Once you’ve graduated, you can continue to develop your skills with one of our Master's degrees, such as an MA in Sociology or an MA in Criminology.

Year 1

• Crime News and Criminology
• The Evolution of Crime and Criminology
• Criminal Justice in England and Wales
• Media, Society and Crime

Year 2

• Making A Difference
• Revolving Doors: Punishment and Rehabilitation
• Ruskin Module (15 credits)
• Violence, Masculinity and Confrontation
• Cybercrime and Policing
• Intoxicants and Intoxication
• Sociology of Religion
• Sociology of Health Inequalities
• Lessons Learned: Inquests, Tribunals and Truth
• Dark Web Policing and Control
• Violence, Gender and Victimisation
• Using Linguistics: an introduction to forensic, clinical and computational linguistics
• Anglia Language Programme

Year 3

• Undergraduate Major Project
• Youth, Crime and Aggression
• Criminology and Policing in Policy and Practice
• Comparative and Global Criminal Justice
• Investigative Psychology
• Organised Crime
• Police and Counter-terrorism
• Feminist Debates and Activism
• Concepts of Good and Evil
• Sexuality and Social Control
• Race, Racism and Cultural Identity
• Politics and Social Media
• Exploitation, Trafficking and Sexual Violence
• Anglia Language Programme

As a BA (Hons) Criminology graduate, you’ll be well-equipped for a career in a number of public services. These include the probation service, prison service (officers and governors), police (crime scene and victim liaison officers), the Home Office (researchers and policy analysts), the Crown Prosecution Service, the Court Service, youth offending teams and crime reduction partnerships.

The multidisciplinary nature of this course, and its focus on employability and transferable skills, also open doors elsewhere.

Our past students have taken up volunteering placements with organisations such as Romsey Mill or completed their undergraduate major project research with a number of police forces including Essex, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You might choose to stay at ARU and study for a master, such as our MA in Criminology. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.