As crimes exists where laws prohibit behaviours and make provision for a criminal justice response, Criminology and Law are natural partners. Through a critical social sciences perspective this course will enable you to study the foundations of criminology in partnership with your study of legal systems, criminal law and legal evidence. You’ll explore key explanations for crimes and criminal offending, how crimes are defined and constructed, the work and practice of criminal justice systems and related work, as well as theories and practice of punishment and crime prevention.

Through the course you’ll have the opportunity to specialise your study around particular areas of interest in both criminology and law, from crime prevention, criminal justice and punishment, to particular types of crime or offending such as mentally disordered offenders or violent and organised crime. You’ll also be able to explore the law relating to particular criminological concerns, such as: medical, family, immigration and human rights law.

How will you learn?

• You’ll be taught by experts from both criminology and law disciplines who have a wide range of research, practice specialisms and knowledge of the areas you’ll study. From policing work, prisons, probation and offender management, sentencing, legal advocacy and criminal law practice, they’ll give you an insight into key contemporary debates, concerns and practices, as well as insight into what it’s like working in positions in the criminal justice or legal practice fields.
• In your second year you’ll complete a compulsory work placement. Previous criminology students have worked with the police, youth offending teams, in prisons, restorative justice organisations, CCTV units as well as in voluntary agencies supporting offenders and victims in the community.
• You could also have the opportunity to study abroad for a term in your second year.

Placements

This course includes a compulsory work placement module in the second year. You will be expected to undertake at least 30 hours of work placement during that year. The module is designed to enhance your academic and personal development through work experience that shapes your key skills and increases your confidence for future employability.

Your placement module tutor will be on hand to support you in finding suitable placement opportunities. They will assist you with preparing your CV and with interview techniques. They'll also be in contact with you during your placement so that you'll be fully supported while you gain the experience that employers value so highly.

Previous placement providers within the division have included working in courts, such as victim and witness support, private legal practices, youth offending teams, prisons, probation, police stations and Local Councils in CCTV and anti-social behaviour units. As well as in voluntary agencies that provide support to adult and juvenile offenders and victims in the community.

Your Career

Previous Huddersfield Criminology graduates have gone on to roles relating to education, social services, healthcare, legal, research and military and protective services in organisations including Lancashire Constabulary, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Probation Trust, Offploy C.I.C, the National Probation Service, Her Majesty Prison Service Leeds, Private Prison Service, Wakefield Prison, NHS, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust, YMCA, Warrington Community Living, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Active Social Care, British Transport Police, Calderdale Council, Leeds City Council, Kirklees Council, the UK Ministry of Justice, HSBC.**