Program Overview

Our Criminology with Social Policy programme offers you the opportunity to combine two closely related and complementary disciplines. Studying these subjects together means tackling some of the most interesting and important social issues of our times.

Criminology, the major component of this programme, involves the study of crime as a particular aspect of all societies. What is crime? Who commits it? Who are the victims? How do societies deal with crime, its perpetrators and its victims?

Our particular approach to Criminology is critical and involves asking important questions about who gets to define the criminal, who determines the measures implemented to address crime as an aspect of society, as well as questions about the unequal experience of offending, victimisation and justice within and between societies.

Social Policy, the minor component of this programme, involves the study of the ways in which different societies understand and meet the needs of their members to ensure their wellbeing. How do societies organise the care of older people or tackle underemployment among particular groups, for instance? Again, our particular approach to Social Policy is critical and involves asking important questions about who decides which needs are met, what shape social support might take and the effectiveness of social policies.

The programme involves critical engagement with relevant theories, concepts and ideas, as well as the development of a wide range of critical thinking, research and communication skills. You will be taught and supervised by world-leading experts in the subject areas and will experience a range of research-engaged teaching, learning and assessment methods, including opportunities for applied and practice-based learning. You will also have opportunities to tailor your learning to suit your own particular interests and aspirations as you progress.

If you are interested in developing a critical understanding of crime as an aspect of all societies and in exploring it in relation to the broader inequalities and injustices that exist within and between societies, then this is the programme for you.

What you'll learn

• Generating and evaluating evidence
• Making reasoned arguments and ethical judgements
• Critical thinking
• Collecting, analysing and interpreting data
• Report writing
• Problem solving using a methodical and organised approach
• Sensitivity to the values and interests of others
• Written and verbal communication
• Teamwork
• Ability to handle numerical data