4 years with placement
In your final year, you’ll study the broad approaches of Welfarism, Neoliberalism and ‘modernisation’ that inform the policies that are applied to public services. You’ll learn how various agencies put criminological theories into practice to address crime, exploring the impact of austerity and the financial and ideological tensions between different institutions. You’ll also conduct an independent research project on a relevant topic from inception to completion, with guidance from an appropriate member of academic staff.
You could choose to further your understanding of the workings of the English and Welsh justice system. You have the option to focus on the youth justice system in England and Wales by exploring its tensions and contradictions, evaluating the competing theories explaining youth crime and youth culture, and finding out about the most recent developments and key innovations in the field. You might learn about sexual misconduct: its underlying theories, its consequences for offenders, victims and society, and the barriers to justice faced by victims of sex crimes.
You could explore the role of the forensic or criminal psychologist in police investigations and the courtroom, and/or the impact of organised crime on society, the economy and policing jurisdictions. You also have the option to examine the theories and evidence underlying the neighbourhood policing model and evaluate how successful different community policing practices are for preventing crime and anti-social behaviour under austerity.
Introduction
Jump-start your career in the criminal justice sector with our specialist Criminology and Policing degree in Cambridge.
As a BA (Hons) Criminology and Policing student at ARU, we’ll help you work towards your career goals from day one.
Through our relationship with regional police forces and practitioners, you’ll have opportunities to engage with professionals from the criminal justice sector through guest lectures (including those organised by our Policing Institute for the Eastern Region), workshop events, study trips and research projects.
You may also have opportunities to work closely with local police forces. A recent student project, sponsored by Cambridge Constabulary, carried out research on police officer demographics and recruitment.
You’ll learn from staff with real-world experience: a significant part of your teaching in some modules will be delivered by policing and criminal justice practitioners such as former and active Crime Scene Investigators. Our criminology lecturers are active researchers with experience of working on real-life crimes with the police. You can also choose to an optional placement year.
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We’ll support you to get involved in justice causes and campaigns, charities and voluntary work that contributes to civic duty so you can gain relevant experience in the criminal justice system. You’ll also boost your CV as you become proficient in critical analysis, research and communication.
Throughout your BA (Hons) Criminology and Policing degree, you’ll benefit from one-to-one personal tutoring and dedicated criminology social media groups. You could also enhance your CV by studying abroad for a semester – with funding on offer to help cover the cost.
Once you’ve graduated, you can continue to develop your skills with one of our Masters degrees, such as MA Criminology and MA Contemporary Policing.
Hands-on learning
All our BA (Hons) Criminology and Policing students have the opportunity to:
- go on field trips in the UK and overseas
- take part in workshops, research projects and other events with regional police forces and other professionals
- study abroad for a semester, with funding available to help cover the cost
- choose from a range of optional modules and pursue their own areas of interest.
Outstanding student support
Join our student community and:
- benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources
- learn from staff who have first-hand experience of working in public service
- attend events and seminars organised by our Policing Institute for the Eastern Region
- access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us.
Meanwhile, Present is an exhibition that you curate for yourself. Explore the work of our graduating students in this eye-catching virtual degree show.
Careers
Our graduates go on to work in the police force, probation, prisons and youth justice, as well as the Border Force, the military, security, charities and NGOs, local government, and the public sector more generally. Others are using their skills in areas such as policy, PR, communication and the media.
If you’re already working in the criminal justice sector, you could follow in the footsteps of former students who’ve been able to progress their careers to graduate level.
You could also develop a specialism or start a career in research by taking part in our academic shadowing scheme or Cambridgeshire County Council’s violence prevention analysis programmes.
Or there’s the option to study for a Masters, such as our MA Contemporary Policing, MA Criminology or MA International Relations. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Whichever path you choose, you can be sure you’re graduating with the knowledge, skills and abilities that employers need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it – and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements.
Entry requirements
Foundation year entry requirements
Entry requirements for foundation year study at ARU College:
- five GCSE passes at grade 3 or D or above and evidence of two years post-GCSE study at Level 3
- if you have achieved at least grade E in one A level, or equivalent, you are exempt from the two year post-GCSE study requirement, but you still have to meet the GCSE requirements
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