Crime and Criminal Justice BSc(Hons)

Our Crime and Criminal Justice BSc(Hons) course prepares you for an fascinating and rewarding career in the criminal justice sector. You’ll cover key areas of knowledge needed to support you in applying for work within the statutory prison and probation sectors, as well as allied organisations. We’ve ranked top 5 for Criminology and 2nd for Sociology and Social Policy in Yorkshire and the Humber, in the Guardian League Tables 2026.

We’ve also ranked in the top third of UK universities for Criminology in The Times Good University Guide 2026. This course is designed to develop your skills and understanding of how the Criminal Justice System works and it’s effectiveness in managing offenders and supporting victims. You’ll have the opportunity to explore important topical problems within the system, such as prison overcrowding, trends in sentencing rates, ethics and impacts of different punishments and sentencing decisions.

You’ll be able to focus on how we work with different offenders, offences and victims, such as mentally disordered offenders, high risk and violent offenders, or in respect to sexual offences. Throughout the course you’ll be supported to develop key employability skills and graduate attributes necessary to work in the criminal justice system. You’ll gain core professional skills in group work, analysis and assessment of data, critical thinking, report writing and presentation of recommendations, verbal and written presentation, digital skills.

These culminate in a supported independent piece of research in an area that you are passionate about and which demonstrates your project management and researching skills. If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Psychology and Crime Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree or our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree.