Course summary

By studying a combination of criminology and policing, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to thrive in a career within the police service, prison system, or private security sector. By studying Criminology with Policing, you’ll gain a strong understanding of crime and the criminal justice system. You’ll analyse the social-scientific theories on criminal behaviour and social deviance while learning about how these crimes are policed and the structures in place within the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Our programme has been designed to align with the core principles of the College of Policing to provide you with essential skills like communication, ethics, evidence-based policing, and leadership. These skills will help you think critically and make well-informed decisions. You'll learn to understand different viewpoints and make choices that consider the needs of various groups and communities. Ultimately, you'll be able to better serve people in the criminal justice system and beyond. We believe it's crucial for you to hear a diverse range of perspectives, so we invite guest speakers from various professions, including the Prison Service, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and Ministry of Justice, to share their insights and experiences. You’ll also hear from those who have perpetrated or experienced crimes in our society. These talks will give you a real-world perspective on the challenges and solutions within the criminal justice system, helping you develop a well-rounded understanding of the field. Our strong connections within the industry mean you'll have opportunities to visit courts, local prisons, and parliament, giving you a firsthand look at the criminal justice system in action. You'll also benefit from extracurricular workshops and careers-focused activities supported by key organisations like West Mercia Police. These experiences will help you build a network of professional contacts and put you in a great position to pursue a career in the police force or to work alongside members of a police service. Why the University of Worcester? The University of Worcester is a campus university, meaning everything you need is on site. We’re based in a vibrant cathedral city just 40 mins south of Birmingham and an hour north of Bristol, and our beautiful green campuses have plenty of parking and quality on-site accommodation. At Worcester, small class sizes, supportive tutors, and professionally focused courses mean you’ll be prepared for your dream career. These are just some of the reasons why we’re first in the UK for both graduate employment and quality education.

• University of the Year finalist in the Times Higher Education Awards 2025.

• First in the UK for sustained employment, further study or both, from any multidisciplinary university – Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) 2017 to 2025.

• First in the UK for quality education – Joint 1st in the Times Higher Education’s University Impact Rankings 2025.