Criminology with Law Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Crime and the law play a central role in shaping how society defines behaviour, responds to harm and delivers justice. On this course you’ll explore crime, criminal behaviour and criminal justice alongside the legal frameworks that govern how crime is addressed, prosecuted and prevented.

You’ll study the foundations of criminology from a critical social sciences perspective while developing a strong understanding of law. This combined approach allows you to examine how laws are created, interpreted and applied, and how they shape responses to crime at individual, community and societal levels.

Throughout the course, you’ll explore key areas such as crime prevention, criminal justice and punishment, violent and organised crime, and mentally disordered offenders. You’ll also examine how the law relates to criminological concerns, including medical, family, immigration and human rights law, helping you understand how legal decision-making affects real lives.

Why Study Criminology with Law BSc(Hons) at University of Huddersfield?\
Learning on the course is highly applied and discussion led. You’ll engage with contemporary debates, case-based learning and perspectives drawn from real criminal justice and legal contexts, supporting the development of critical thinking, analysis and argument skills.

You’ll be taught by staff with expertise across criminology and law, combining research insight with professional experience. Guest speakers, including legal professionals, senior police officers, drug outreach workers and criminal justice staff regularly share first-hand perspectives on current challenges, policy debates and working in criminal justice or legal practice.

You’ll study as part of a small, supportive course community, where students are known by staff and supported to reach their full potential. You’ll also have a Personal Academic Tutor to guide your academic development and help you prepare for future study or employment.

A key part of the course is the compulsory work experience module in Year 2, giving you a guaranteed opportunity to gain real-world experience in a relevant setting. Past placements have included work with police forces, youth offending teams, prisons, restorative justice organisations, CCTV units and voluntary agencies supporting offenders and victims. This experience allows you to apply your learning in practice and build experience that employers value.

The quality of teaching, support and learning experience is reflected in national league tables and student feedback. Criminology at Huddersfield is ranked in the top third of UK universities (The Times Good University Guide 2026) and top 5 in Yorkshire and the Humber (Guardian League Tables 2026). In the National Student Survey 2025, learning opportunities in Law and assessment and feedback in Sociology were ranked top in Yorkshire.

Alongside your degree, you can choose to complete the University’s Global Professional Award (GPA), helping you develop professional skills, gain additional experience and build a portfolio to support your future career.

Graduates of this course are well prepared for roles across criminal justice, legal and related sectors, as well as further study.

Professional Bodies\
At Huddersfield, you’ll study the Global Professional Award alongside your degree†, allowing you to gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is.

†full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees. 

Why Huddersfield?\
Huddersfield’s vibrant and friendly campus is a great place from which to study.

Not quite ready to start Criminology with Law BSc(Hons)?\
Successful completion of one of our Foundation Pathways will equip you with the foundation knowledge to study Criminology with Law.