Criminal Justice BA/BSc
Study of how crime is defined, investigated, and punished - exploring law, policing, and the social systems that uphold justice.
Is this for you?
This degree could suit you if you:
Are interested in crime and law
Enjoy analysing social issues
Want a career in justice or policing
Like research and investigation
Are analytical
Popular Career Fields
Law & Legal Services
Government & Public Sector
Emergency Services
Charity & NGO Sector
Your Personality Might Be:
Justice-focused
Government & Public Sector
Ethically minded
Socially aware
What is it?
What Is a Criminal Justice Degree?
Criminal Justice examines how societies respond to crime. You’ll study the criminal justice system from policing and courts to prisons and rehabilitation, learning about the laws, institutions, and policies that shape it.
Why Study Criminal Justice?
This degree is ideal if you’re interested in crime, fairness, and how law enforcement and social systems work together. It combines law, criminology, and social science to help you understand the causes of crime and how justice can be delivered effectively and ethically.
Course Summary
Study of how crime is defined, investigated, and punished - exploring law, policing, and the social systems that uphold justice.
What you'll study
Most Criminal Justice degrees cover:
The criminal justice system in the UK
Criminal law and legal principles
Criminology and sociology of crime
Policing and law enforcement
Courts, sentencing, and punishment
Human rights and ethics
Rehabilitation and community justice
Later in your course, you can usually specialise - for example, in youth justice, terrorism and security, forensic evidence, or international justice.
Degree Type
BA (Bachelor of Arts): Focuses more on social and policy aspects of crime and justice.
BSc (Bachelor of Science): Includes more analytical and research-based study, often using data to understand crime trends.
Skills You'll Gain
A Criminal Justice degree helps you build key analytical and professional skills, which might include:
Justice System Understanding – knowledge of policing, courts, corrections, and legal processes.
Crime Analysis – interpreting crime data and identifying patterns and contributing factors.
Research Skills – conducting qualitative and quantitative investigations into criminal behaviour and policies.
Policy Evaluation – assessing the effectiveness of criminal justice strategies and reforms.
Communication & Reporting – presenting clear, structured findings to agencies, professionals, and the public.
Explore Uni Open Days
Pathways, Placements and Work Experience
CAREERS
Career Pathways
Criminal Justice graduates can work in a variety of public service and policy areas, including:
Law enforcement and policing
Probation and rehabilitation
Courts and legal administration
Victim support and community safety
Research and government policy
Work Experiences & Placements
Many universities offer:
Placements or sandwich years with the police, probation service, youth offending teams, or charities supporting victims or offenders.
Fieldwork projects linked to real organisations or criminal justice research.
These experiences provide valuable insight into how justice is delivered in practice and help prepare you for related careers.
Salary Profile
Coming soon
Qualifications, Personal Satement, What to do Next?
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Entry Requirements
A-levels or equivalent. Most universities accept a broad range of subjects. Law, Sociology, Psychology, History, Politics, or English are beneficial.
Personal Statement Tips
Show your interest in law, justice, or social issues.
Mention relevant subjects, volunteering, or experiences (such as debating, charity work, or community projects).
Reflect on how fairness, reform, or social order motivate you.
Include examples of research, teamwork, or problem-solving.
What to do Next
Compare courses to see whether they focus more on policing, law, or social justice.
Attend open days or virtual sessions to meet staff and see how modules are taught.
Volunteer with community justice organisations or youth programmes.
Keep up to date with legal and criminal justice news.
Wider Reading
The Secret Barrister by Anonymous – A powerful inside look at the UK’s justice system.
Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault – A classic exploration of how societies control and punish.
Criminal Justice: An Introduction to Crime and the Criminal Justice System by Peter Joyce – A clear overview of how UK justice works.
Injustice by Clive Stafford Smith – Real-life cases that reveal the challenges of delivering fair justice.