Our Criminology degree programme will take you on a thought-provoking and engaging critical exploration of the institutions that make up the criminal justice system.
The degree explores the impacts of crime and other socially harmful activities on communities and individuals. It scrutinises the effectiveness of responses to the problem of ‘crime’. In broad terms, this means viewing criminal justice as more than just a set of discrete institutions, divorced from social divisions and power relations that operate in the wider society.
Our Criminology programme moves beyond typical definitions of what constitutes ‘criminal activity’. It critically evaluates claims to knowledge in this area - whether based on data, concepts or theoretical argument.
Throughout our courses, you will be encouraged to think about what is truly meant by the term ‘criminal’ and associated concepts including punishment and justice.
View our criminology courses
Here at LJMU, our Criminal Justice department has a distinguished history of being the first of its kind in the UK. And we continue to be at the forefront of the discipline. Our expert staff of former practitioners have worked in areas such as drug services, probation, prisons, and the police. – Our researchers are all actively engaged within these fields.
We produce research on a wide variety of subjects surrounding the justice system and work closely with various partner agencies and organisations. We collaborate with the agencies to continuously improve the fairness and efficacy of criminal justice practices and processes.
Our scholarly work centres on three key streams:
Our collective aim is to provide you with critical insight into the theory, policy and practices of our criminal justice system. We are committed to providing contemporary, relevant and value adding education which is grounded in research informed teaching. Our subject experts bring cutting edge knowledge into the classroom. Our courses seek to develop your vocational skills and knowledge and equip you with the attributes that employers value.
View our courses
Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP)
We also offer the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP).
The PQiP programme provides a rigorous, interdisciplinary study of criminal justice, probation practice and the role of the Probation Service. The 'External non-graduate' PQiP programme has been designed in discussion with HMPPS and the Ministry of Justice.
The programme is only open to PQiP learners recruited and employed by the Probation Service. The programme is offered via an active blended learning approach and will consist of:
- asynchronous (pre-recorded) components
- synchronous (live) components
- in-person delivery methods
There are two intakes per calendar year: in March and September. You will study for either the BA Hons in Community Justice or the Graduate Diploma in Community Justice, depending on your previous academic attainment.
Our individual and collective excellence in teaching and pastoral support have been recognised through several awards including the:
- Liverpool Student Unions Amazing Course Team Award in 2014
- the Amazing Teacher Award in 2017 and 2019 (Stuart Taylor)
- Amazing Personal Tutor Award in 2016 (Rachael Steel)
Our efforts have also been acknowledged by the LJMU Teaching and Learning Academy and we have gained:
- the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Award in 2015 and 2019 (Stuart Taylor and Ester Ragonese)
- Vice Chancellor’s Rising Star Award in 2015 and 2018 (Rachael Steele and Emma Murray)
The Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing at LJMU provides you with a chance to gain relevant policing experience as part of your degree.
Our innovative and thought-provoking modules both reflect and challenge current policing practices and debates, giving you a chance to form your own opinions and approaches.
You will benefit from being taught by lecturers with both academic and professional backgrounds in policing. You will get the chance to attend regular career workshops and symposiums, delivered by police officers and other career specialists.
Our aim is to fully prepare you for a career in policing and to fully educate you in a range of areas – including security, risk management, and criminal justice as a whole.
There are also opportunities for you to gain some hands-on experience of policing, with a chance to work as Special Police Constables on a volunteer basis.
We are one of the only law and justice schools in the UK where every LLB Law student has the opportunity to gain pro bono work experience from their first year onward.
This is through the fantastic work of our Legal Advice Centre. We believe that even the most junior lawyer has a duty to give back to society.
The school is home to the Centre for the Study of Law in Theory and Practice. The Centre provides leadership, coherence and research focus in public law, business law, criminal law and legal practice.
The LJMU Student Law Journal is a peer-reviewed, edited collection of postgraduate and LLB essays, dissertations and opinion pieces. They are written by LJMU Law students and recent graduates. Our journal covers a variety of legal subjects and issues.
