What can you do with a criminology degree?

A criminology degree at the University of Wolverhampton can open up a range of career opportunities in the public and private sectors. A criminology degree provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge of crime and criminal justice, and the skills gained with a criminology degree are highly transferable, meaning that graduates can enter a wide range of careers.

In this post, we examine what criminology is, what the University of Wolverhampton has to offer criminal justice students, and some of the most common career paths that a criminology degree can lead to.

What is a criminology degree?

A criminology degree is the study of crime and the science behind it. 

It can give you the opportunity to learn about the causes and consequences of crime. A criminology degree can open up a number of exciting career paths in the field of criminal justice, and with a degree in criminology, you could work in a number of roles such as the police force, in law, or in government. We offer a wide range of criminology courses, and have included some examples below.

Criminology courses we offer:

• BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice
• BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology
• BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy

What will you study during your criminology degree?

A criminology degree at the University of Wolverhampton will give you a thorough understanding of crime and the criminal justice system. You will learn about the causes of crime, its effects on society, and how to prevent it. The course will also prepare you for a career in the police force, the probation or prison service, and a number of exciting job roles.

What skills will you gain from a criminology degree?

Now we’ve taken a look at what a criminology degree is and what you can study during your program, let's examine the extremely versatile and useful skills that a criminology degree can offer you. You’ll build on your ability to conduct in-depth research, communicate effectively and manage your time, meaning that a criminology degree will help you develop a broad pallet of impressive capabilities.

Here are some of the most valuable skills you’ll develop from a criminology degree:

• Research skills
• Presentation skills
• Communication
• Time management and organisation
• Analytical skills

Research

Overall, research skills are useful because they enable you to gather and analyse information. They also allow you to communicate your findings to others. Research skills can also help you design studies or surveys and troubleshoot problems that arise during research projects.

Communication

In our increasingly connected world, communication skills are more important than ever. They can help you build relationships, resolve conflicts, and navigate difficult conversations. When it comes to your career, communication skills can help lead you to success. Whether you’re negotiating a raise or pitching a new idea to your boss, being able to communicate effectively is critical.

Time management

Time management skills are useful for a variety of reasons. They can help you prioritise tasks, better utilise your time, and make more efficient use of resources. Time management skills can also help you reduce stress, manage projects more effectively, and meet deadlines. Time management is a skill many employers value highly.

What do criminology graduates go on to do?

While many criminology graduates go on to work in a law setting, other students find themselves in a wide range of different professions. A survey from Prospects found that working in Protective Service Occupations is the most common outcome for criminology graduates 15 months after graduation, whilst welfare and housing associate professional services, care workers, and HR professionals cover most of the remaining percentage of career paths. 65.3% of criminology graduates find themselves employed 15 months after graduation, whilst 7.7% find themselves pursuing further study, and 13.3% working whilst studying.

Criminology career paths

You will learn all the necessary academic and social skills for a variety of intriguing careers by studying criminology. A lot of career opportunities are open to you due to your degree, and you can choose from a range of distinct work fields.

Civil service administrator

As a civil service administrator, you will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a government organisation. You will work closely with elected officials and other government employees to ensure that the agency is running smoothly and efficiently. 

Detective

A detective is a police officer who investigates crimes. In larger police departments, detectives are assigned to specific types of crimes, such as homicide or burglary. In smaller departments, detectives may investigate any type of crime that comes their way. A criminology degree is one of the most popular routes into this line of police work.

Social worker

There are many different types of social workers, each with their own area of focus. For example, some social workers may work with children and families, while others may work in hospitals or mental health clinics. No matter what type of social worker you are, your goal is to help people improve their lives.

Crime scene investigator

A crime scene investigator is responsible for collecting and documenting evidence at a crime scene. They may also be required to testify in court about their findings. Most crime scene investigators have at least a bachelor's degree in criminology, forensic science, or a related field, and it can be an incredibly interesting and rewarding career.

Careers where a criminology degree can be useful

The discipline and knowledge gained from a criminology degree can actually apply to a wide range of different career paths. With the many skills you gain through a criminology degree, you can pursue a number of different future careers.

Police officer

Being a police officer involves more than just patrolling the streets. Officers must be able to deal with all sorts of people, including criminals and victims, and be able to handle stressful situations. Police officers also need to be good at problem-solving and have excellent communication skills so they can work well with other officers and be able to build relationships with the community.

Probation officer

Probation officers work with offenders who have been sentenced by the courts to a period of probation. The officer will monitor the offender’s compliance with the conditions of their probation and provide support to help them make positive changes in their lives. Probation officers also work closely with other agencies, such as social services, housing departments, and drug and alcohol services.

Counsellor

Counselling is a process that involves providing support and guidance to people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. Counsellors help their clients explore the issues they are facing, and to find ways to cope with them. Being a counsellor can be both rewarding and challenging.

Final thoughts

A degree in criminology can open up a number of doors in terms of potential careers. Our final thoughts on criminology degrees are that it is important to consider what you hope to gain from your degree. Are you looking to enter into a specific career in the criminal justice system? Or are you hoping to gain a more general understanding of criminology and its applications? If you have a specific career goal in mind, it is important to ensure that your degree program is the correct one for the career path you hope to follow. 

Many of our programs offer internships or field placements as part of the curriculum, which can be an invaluable way to gain experience in your chosen field, whatever your reasons for wanting to study criminology. Therefore, studying at the University of Wolverhampton will certainly help you on the way to achieving your ambitions.