Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy

Whether it is crime, poverty and social exclusion or gender, race and discrimination; digital cultures and economy or health and reproduction; our degree courses enable you to understand and critically analyse the key social problems that face individuals and communities in modern societies.

1st in the UK for Criminology The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
6th in the UK for Sociology The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
3rd in the UK for Sociology The Complete University Guide 2025
5th in the UK for Criminology The Guardian University Guide 2025
5th for Student Experience in Sociology The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
5th overall for Social Policy Complete University Guide 2025
100% of Social Policy research impact rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' Research Excellence Framework 2021
92% of Sociology students at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ were positive about the teaching on their course National Student Survey 2023*
Top 150 in the world for Sociology QS world university rankings by subject 2024

*based on data from the National Student Survey 2023. All underpinning survey responses that contribute to this can be found on the OfS website

Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ

Guided by our team of expert scholars, our courses allow students to investigate the world around them by drawing on social theories and using cutting-edge methods to understand and respond to the contemporary challenges faced in times of uncertainty and change.

Our courses are taught by academics who are leaders in their respective fields. This approach means our courses are underpinned by the latest developments in research and applied learning techniques.

Whilst receiving a thorough training in your chosen subject, our courses allow you to study topics of interest from across the social sciences. Our students become versed in a broad range of current debates and learn to question and explain social issues from different perspectives.

Links with industry

All our undergraduate students have the opportunity to undertake a professional work placement during their degree, in organisations from across the public and private sector. In the workplace they apply the theories and methods learnt during their course to real-world situations.

In recent years students in the School have completed placements with BP, Volkswagen, Molson Coors, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Samsung Electronics, Bosch, Confederation of British Industry, PwC, National Grid, Renault, Department of Work and Pensions, Food Standards Agency, Bedfordshire Police, Instron and Sky.

Students also have an opportunity to spend a year (or a single semester of their degree) abroad by securing paid work teaching English to school children or studying at a partner university.

Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy students share their placement experiences

Career opportunities

By allowing our students to develop a range of specialist and transferable skills, our courses open doors to a wide range of professions and career pathways.

Graduates from our courses are sought after for their insights into issues, policies and processes shaping society. They flourish in roles that demand advanced information handling and analytical skills. Previous students have graduated into entry level opportunities across the public, private and voluntary sectors, with careers in industry, education, health and social care, human resources, civil service, public relations, law and the criminal justice system to name but a few.

Our students

Languages

We provide a range of language modules in French, German or Spanish and Mandarin Chinese from complete beginners level upwards.

Through your language modules you will practise a range of transferable skills that will help you in your own field: face-to-face communication, formal and informal presentations, negotiating, convincing and mediating, producing multi-media materials, summarising and conveying information in writing. You will develop skills in your chosen language in small, interactive classes, and will gain greater cultural competence as you move up the levels.