Program Overview

Our Sociology with Criminology programme offers you the opportunity to combine two closely related and complementary disciplines, tackling some of the most interesting and important social issues of our times.

Sociology, the major component of this programme (75%), involves the study of the ways in which societies are organised and how they function. How is the particular society we live in organised? Does it function effectively? Is it harmonious? Is it equal? Is it fair? What about other societies? Our particular approach to Sociology involves the ‘critical’ study of society, which means asking serious questions about power, social inequality and social injustice.

Criminology, the minor 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? Again, our approach to Criminology is critical and involves asking important questions about who gets to define the criminal, who gets to determine 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.

Studying these subjects together means tackling some of the most interesting and important social issues of our times. 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 experience a range of research-engaged teaching, learning and assessment methods, including opportunities for applied and practice-based learning. You will also be provided with opportunities to tailor your learning to suit your own particular interests and aspirations as you progress.

If you are interested in understanding how the society you are part of works, the inequalities and injustices that exist within it, and how they manifest themselves in terms of crime and criminal justice in particular, then this is the programme for you.

What you'll learn

• Qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Collecting, analysing and interpreting data
• Report writing
• Critical thinking
• Presentation
• Appreciating the complexity and diversity of social situations
• Applying sociological theory to society’s organisations including schools, hospitals and offices
• Researching, judging and evaluating complex information
• Making reasoned arguments and ethical judgements
• Developing opinions and new ideas on social issues
• The ability to understand, scrutinise and re-assess common perceptions of the social world
• Relating sociological knowledge to social, public and civic policy