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Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

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  • Classics and Classical Studies
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  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
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  • Creative Writing
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  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
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  • English Literature
  • Environment

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  • Foundation programmes
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  • German
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  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
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  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
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Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise
  • Creative Writing

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Criminology

See the other subjects we offer

Studying criminology at the University of Reading

At the heart of criminology are three questions: what is crime? What is justice? What is punishment?

At Reading, you’ll learn how crime is defined by law, in public opinion and by powerful groups, and uncover the impact of crime on individuals, communities and societies. You’ll discuss why particular types of social problems are seen as criminal whereas others – such as environmental degradation or tax evasion – do not.

Criminology is a meeting point of many disciplines, including sociology, social policy, law, and philosophy, and covers an extremely wide range of issues, including:

  • rule-making and rule-breaking
  • politicking
  • courts
  • justice systems
  • rationales for punishment
  • explanations for offending.

Learn from criminology experts

Our academics contribute to global and UK policy development, and law and criminal justice reforms through their work with governments and regulatory agencies such as the Law Commission and the United Nations.

Others have been involved with, or cited in, cases before courts, including the European Court of Justice and the UK Supreme Court.

They also work closely with some of the main penal reform organisations like the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.

You’ll benefit from the research and teaching expertise of the School of Law, where 99% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Law).

Practical experience

Our contacts in the field of criminal justice and other relevant organisations help students gain practical experience through volunteering opportunities, placements and work experience. You can also participate in the School of Law’s popular mock trials, known as moots.

Careers

The study of criminology will prepare you for a diverse range of careers, such as in government and the Civil Service, criminal justice, social and charity work, non-governmental organisations, think tanks, and investigative journalism. Your law modules will also equip you for work or further study in the legal sector.

Courses


  • BSc Criminology

    Full Time:  3 Years

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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