Eddie PhilipsCriminology is one of the most sought-after social science fields in the UK, attracting students interested in understanding crime, justice, and social policy. Here is a comprehensive guide to the top 50 universities for criminology in the UK.
Top 50 Criminology Universities In The UK
1. Durham University
Durham University offers one of the most research-intensive criminology programmes in the UK. Its School of Applied Social Sciences provides undergraduate and postgraduate courses focusing on critical criminology, social harm, penology, and youth justice.
2. Loughborough University
Loughborough’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities delivers highly rated criminology degrees. Students study the causes and consequences of crime, the criminal justice system, and offender rehabilitation.
3. University College London (UCL)
UCL offers a unique “Crime Science” degree focusing on crime prevention, data analysis, and environmental design rather than traditional criminology.
4. University of Bath
Bath’s criminology programmes are delivered through its Law School, emphasizing policy, social justice, and practical applications in the criminal justice system.
5. Lancaster University
Lancaster University offers a BA (Hons) Criminology and Law. The faculty is renowned for critical theory, social justice, and research-led teaching.
6. University of Warwick
Warwick integrates criminology with sociology, psychology, and policy studies, providing a holistic approach to understanding crime and society.
7. Staffordshire University
Staffordshire is known for combining criminology with forensic science and policing, offering a practical and applied approach to crime studies.
8. University of Leeds
Leeds offers programmes in criminal justice and criminology, exploring crime causes, social contexts, and responses to criminal behaviour.
9. Swansea University
Swansea’s Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law houses criminology courses with a strong focus on criminal justice in Wales.
10. Bangor University
Bangor offers a BA (Hons) Criminology & Criminal Justice, allowing integration with other disciplines such as modern languages for a broader perspective.
11. University of Exeter
Exeter provides criminology courses with modules on deviance, social policy, and crime prevention strategies.
12. University of Leicester
Leicester’s criminology courses benefit from a strong sociology department, supporting comprehensive criminology studies.
13. University of Sheffield
Sheffield offers criminology through its social science departments, focusing on research-led teaching and critical theory.
14. University of Southampton
Southampton’s criminology courses examine inequality, social justice, and penal policy.
15. University of Birmingham
Birmingham focuses on social harm, victimisation, and societal drivers of crime in its criminology programmes.
16. University of Glasgow
Glasgow offers an MSc in Criminology & Criminal Justice, emphasizing penal theory, social justice, and criminalisation.
17. Queen’s University Belfast
Queen’s BA (Hons) Criminology addresses social policy, conflict, and crime in Northern Ireland and globally.
18. Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth’s Department of Law and Criminology has a strong history in crime research and teaching.
19. Northumbria University
Northumbria offers a BSc (Hons) Criminology & Forensic Science, combining social sciences with practical investigative skills.
20. University of York
York provides criminology courses with a strong social sciences teaching environment, preparing students for research or policy careers.
21. University of Nottingham
Nottingham integrates criminology with social science or law, providing modular flexibility and robust academic support.
22. University of Manchester
Manchester’s criminology programmes, often combined with sociology or law, benefit from large research groups and urban policy engagement.
23. University of Oxford
Oxford’s criminology research is influential, particularly via its law faculty, even though it is more renowned for broader social sciences.
24. University of Cambridge
Cambridge Institute of Criminology is world-renowned, offering PhD, MPhil, and master’s programmes in criminology.
25. University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh delivers criminology through social sciences and law, emphasizing justice, inequality, and crime research.
26. King’s College London (KCL)
KCL integrates criminology within law and social policy programmes, leveraging London’s legal institutions for practical exposure.
27. London School of Economics (LSE)
LSE focuses on criminology through social policy and sociology, with emphasis on inequality, crime policy, and global crime.
28. University of Bristol
Bristol offers criminology and criminal justice courses, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application.
29. University of Liverpool
Liverpool provides criminology through social sciences, with exposure to urban crime studies and justice systems.
30. Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent offers criminology and criminal justice degrees with practical experience opportunities.
31. University of Kent
Kent provides criminology and sociology combined degrees, benefiting from its proximity to London for internships and placements.
32. University of Essex
Essex is known for progressive criminology teaching and research, emphasizing modern criminological theory.
33. University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth offers criminology degrees covering policing, justice, and social perspectives on crime.
34. University of Westminster
Westminster’s criminology courses have a practical orientation, preparing students for applied careers.
35. University of Huddersfield
Huddersfield integrates criminology with social sciences and criminal justice, with growing research in modern crime.
36. University of Stirling
Stirling emphasizes social justice, rehabilitation, and policy research in its criminology programmes.
37. University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen offers criminology within law or sociology programmes, providing a strong social sciences foundation.
38. University of Dundee
Dundee delivers criminology and criminal justice courses focused on penal theory, policy, and restorative justice.
39. University of Strathclyde
Strathclyde combines criminology with social policy, providing applied research experience and community engagement.
40. Lancaster University (Postgraduate)
Lancaster also offers postgraduate criminology research and advanced modules beyond undergraduate studies.
41. University of East Anglia (UEA)
UEA integrates criminology with social policy, environmental crime, and sustainable justice concepts.
42. Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam provides criminology courses with practical links to community justice and applied learning.
43. University of Reading
Reading delivers criminology modules within sociology programmes, emphasizing crime in social contexts.
44. London Metropolitan University
London Metropolitan focuses on applied criminology and criminal justice, with strong connections to London-based institutions.
45. University of the West of Scotland (UWS)
UWS offers criminology and law programmes emphasizing community justice and rehabilitation within Scottish legal contexts.
46. University of Northampton
Northampton provides criminology and criminal justice degrees with applied learning and placement opportunities.
47. University of Chester
Chester’s criminology programmes are flexible, student-centred, and integrated with social sciences.
48. University of Plymouth
Plymouth offers criminology courses focusing on global crime trends, community justice, and crime prevention strategies.
49. Coventry University
Coventry combines criminology and criminal justice with practical research, preparing students for careers in policy and justice sectors.
50. Bangor University (Postgraduate)
Bangor also provides postgraduate criminology options, emphasizing policy frameworks, crime analysis, and social research.
Why Choose These Universities?
- Course Diversity: Options range from traditional criminology to crime science and forensic studies.
- Research Excellence: Leading institutions like Cambridge and Durham offer strong research cultures.
- Applied Opportunities: Universities provide placements with criminal justice agencies.
- Location Benefits: Institutions in major cities offer networking, while regional universities provide specialized community-focused experiences.
- Career Preparation: Graduates pursue roles in policing, probation, NGOs, policy-making, and academic research.
Conclusion
This guide provides a comprehensive starting point for students considering criminology in the UK, highlighting the best institutions for education, research, and applied learning opportunities.