Criminology and Sociology BSc (Hons)

Course overview

What is crime? Who gets to decide? How do we react to crime? Why do people offend? What should we do with criminals? Why do we focus on crimes of the powerless? Are crimes of the powerful more harmful? What is the role of the police and the Criminal Justice System? How does the news and media shape our understanding and experience of crime? How do race, gender, age, sexual orientation and class shape experiences of crime and victimization? How does our more globalized world shape localized experiences of crime? If you have an enquiring mind and an interest in answering some of these questions, a criminology degree at Teesside will explore these issues and more.

You also frame your study of criminology in a wider analysis of contemporary societies, exploring a range of theoretical perspectives and going beyond common-sense explanations.

You gain insight into key sociological issues and concepts such as inequality, identity and social change alongside thinking through the motivations for crime, its wider social context and gaining an in-depth understanding of the criminal justice system. You also get the opportunity to think about crime and other social problems at the local and global level. This programme's combination of subjects allows you to focus on and think critically about the social world in which you live.

Your dissertation and module options give you the opportunity to specialize in areas as diverse as criminal justice, consumer culture, work and leisure, and crimes of the powerful. Many graduates go on to a career with the police or probation services, or into community development roles.

Career opportunities

Your skills will equip you well for the police force, probation service, prison service, youth work and community development. There are also opportunities for employment within the public sector and for postgraduate study.

All programmes are designed to incorporate employability skills development alongside your degree course. Our staff utilise their extensive connections to provide many and varied opportunities to engage with potential employers through fairs, guest lecture sessions, live projects and site visits. In addition we offer a series of workshops and events in the first, second and third year that ensure all students are equipped with both degree level subject knowledge PLUS the practical skills that employers are looking for in new graduate recruits.

Our award winning careers service works with regional and national employers to advertise graduate positions, in addition to providing post-graduation support for all Teesside University alumni.