Criminologists study crime, criminals and criminal justice within wider social contexts. They engage with some of the most pressing issues, decisions and dilemmas facing societies today like: How should we prevent crime? How and why should we punish? How does criminal justice connect with social justice? How does the media code information in such a way that we understand just what we are supposed to? The mass media is a major source of public (mis)information about crime. Crime dominates our cultural lives as the subject of many TV programmes, novels, films, computer games and websites. Crime control agencies make increasing use of interactive communications strategies such as CCTV, digital databases and geo-mapping. Criminology combines very well with media and cultural studies, which are topics you cover on our BA Criminology and the Media. Our course is taught by our criminologists and media experts within our leading Department of Sociology, specialising in; youth crime, prison, terrorism, policing, drugs, gender and crime, trafficking, human rights, digital cultures, global film, the creative industries, advertising and media history. In your first year you take Introduction to Crime, Law and Society and Introduction to Media, Culture and Society. You also take Sociology and the Modern World, which explores how social scientists have theorised major social changes. During your second year you take Researching Social Life 2 which develops your research skills in combination with a range of criminology and media modules. In your final year you continue your study of criminology and media. You will also write a supervised dissertation on a topic of your choice; this is a great opportunity to study an area which interests you but also to evidence the skills you have developed to future employers or prepare for postgraduate study.

As an Essex criminology graduate, you can use the skills and knowledge gained from your degree to pursue a range of fulfilling careers. Our courses offer you a robust academic training that includes research methods, critical analysis and presentation skills. These skills can be supplemented by the excellent academic and employability training provided by our resource officer, and by taking the volunteering and work placement opportunities offered within our Department. Our Criminology Centre, due to open in 2012, will enable us to expand our current links with outside agencies and negotiate work placements for undergraduate students. Careers linked to criminology are varied. Our courses provide an excellent training for work within the criminal justice system, for example, as community safety officers, risk assessors, court managers, researchers, paralegals, police officers, probation officers and youth workers. Some students opt for specialist postgraduate programmes linked to law, teaching, social work, counselling or academic research (here we offer our own Masters and PhD opportunities in criminology and related disciplines, such as sociology, human rights and psychoanalytic studies). Others have moved into journalism or professional positions within the voluntary sector, such as fund-raisers and project managers. Our staff’s links with many of these organisations can help our students to network effectively at local, national and international level.