Program Overview

How do we understand crime? How can it be prevented? Why should crime be punished? How can harms be restored? What shapes criminal law in principle and in practice? Criminologists and lawyers engage with some of the most pressing issues, decisions and dilemmas facing societies today. This course explores the nature of crime, criminal law and criminal justice within wider social contexts.

As a student of criminology and law, you experience a lively, informal environment with many possibilities to pursue your own interests. Our flexible course means that you can study an exciting range of topics including:

• Cyber crime
• Terrorism and illegal migration
• Criminal justice and public policy
• Policing
• Principles of criminal law

You receive training in criminological research methods including how to design a survey, how to map crime hotspots, conduct interviews and focus groups. You are also introduced to legal research methods.

You have the opportunity to gain practical experience and to pursue a year studying abroad or completing a work placement which can help in future employment. You can also complete a supervised dissertation on a topic that inspires you, encouraging you to think differently and connect with live issues and debates, preparing you for your graduate career.

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course.

Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.

If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university.