Program Overview

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Criminology focuses on the causes and consequences of crime, as well as how the criminal justice system responds to crime. Criminologists are interested in how activities come to be defined as criminal, and why definitions of crime vary across countries and over time. The subject includes a wide range of social and psychological theories that attempt to explain criminal behaviour and the effective operation of the criminal justice system.

Social Policy students learn how to tackle major policy problems. They do this by applying core concepts from social science to intractable social problems such as gender inequality, eldercare, children's rights and climate change. There is strong crossover between criminology and social policy as many of the people who end up within the criminal justice system have experienced poverty, inequality or discrimination. As an applied and critical social science, you will gain knowledge and understanding of contemporary government policies, their impacts, and consider how we can achieve improvements.

Criminology and Social Policy Degree highlights

Criminology at Queen’s is ranked 9th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2020. Social Policy is ranked 16th in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020).

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Global Opportunities

There is also the opportunity to study or work abroad, supported by schemes such as Erasmus and Study USA.

Students can spend time studying in one of our linked Universities in Europe.

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Internationally Renowned Experts

Criminology and Social Policy is taught by a group of internationally recognised researchers who specialise in areas such as criminal justice policy, prisons, desistance from crime, offender reintegration, drug use, youth justice, conflict, social justice, gender inequality, population ageing, disability and human rights.

Students in the School are educated in a dynamic academic environment by award-winning teaching staff, and in a recent government-sponsored review of research, staff in the School achieved 'world-leading' and 'international excellence' status for the high quality of their research work.

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Student Experience

Students can expect personal attention as classes are smaller when you take joint honours Social Policy with Criminology or Sociology.

"The course offers a wide range of interesting and diverse modules covering many topics and interests. The support and guidance from the department and the expertise of staff has provided me with an invaluable experience that has furthered my knowledge and understanding of both criminological and sociological theory and has motivated me to further my learning by undertaking a Master's degree at Queen's."

Rachel Stanley (Joint Honours Graduate 2016)

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