What can you do with a criminology and criminal justice degree?

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying a BSc (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice degree

LLB Law with Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies

Knowledge and skills

Your studies will provide a broad range of skills of value to employers, including:

written and verbal communication through report writing and presenting
teamwork and leadership skills through group projects
planning and project management through independent research tasks
collecting, analysing and evaluating evidence through seminar work and independent assignments
time management through juggling different module assessment requirements and work-based learning alongside studies
increased awareness of topics related to criminology through multi-discipline events/modules, work-based learning and interactions with academics and professionals
awareness of and sensitivity to the factors that lead to crime and its impact on victims, perpetrators and wider society
developing critical thinking and making ethical judgements
problem-solving and flexibility.

Career options

15 months after graduating*

95% of our criminology graduates are in work or further study

79% of our graduates said their current activity is meaningful

65% of graduates say their degree was a formal requirement for their job or gave them an advantage

The range of opportunities available to University of Plymouth criminology graduates is broad, and the skill set you will have as a result of your degree will be very appealing to employers. Practical and analytical skills, as well as emotional intelligence, will be nurtured on this inter-disciplinary degree and will in turn offer up ample opportunities to explore different working environments.

Direct links to criminology within the public sector include the criminal justice system and its agencies, local government, policy making and police work, but are not limited to these. Working with people is a key requirement, so working as a PCSO, welfare worker, paralegal or probation support worker are also viable options.

Working in the third sector is also ideal for a criminologist, with their understanding of how society works and the challenges to everyday life that crime can have. Charities, non-profit organisations and community incentives are dynamic and rewarding, as well as fertile ground for networking and personal development. Since understanding the elements of criminology will illuminate other skills, you could also consider working in healthcare, law or education. Since specific career paths may be less obvious it is important to use your research skills to explore the range of opportunities and to consider your personal interests, motivations, values and strengths.

Southwest employment and employers

The Southwest is an excellent place to start your career as a graduate as many of the UK leading companies have a base in Devon, Somerset, Bristol and Cornwall.

Here are some examples of major employers within the southwest region, however there are many more large companies and SMEs eager to recruit graduates:

Professional bodies

Joining or following a professional body can be an effective way to find out about opportunities, news, and recent changes within the sector:

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Researching your career options

With such a wide range of careers open to you as a Criminology graduate, it is important to make sure you explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future.

Take a look at the Careers Service, Prospects, TargetJobs and other websites for inspiration.

Employment opportunities

Below is a snapshot of what some of our criminology and criminal justice graduates told us they were doing when they were surveyed 15 months after graduation.

Associate Lecturer
Compliance Admin Associate
Counter Terrorism Police Officer
Criminal Investigator For Child Maintenance Service
Criminal Justice Recovery Worker
Customer Service And Operations Analyst Fraud Prevention
Detective
Domestic Abuse And Sexual Violence (DASV) Helpline Response Advisor
Drug And Alcohol Worker

Employment Case Manager
Enhanced Key Worker
Independent Victim Advocate
Legal Assistant
Mental Health Social Worker
Paralegal
Probation Officer
Substance Misuse Practitioner
Teenage Intimate Abuse Partner Specialist
Trainee Probation Officer
Youth Support Volunteer

Employers

Avon And Somerset Constabulary
Barnardo's Children Centre
Bodmin Jail
Catch22
CSM Independence
Developing Health And Independence (DHI)
Devon & Cornwall Police
Dorset Council
DWP
First Light

Harbour
Her Majesty's Prison And Probation Service
Metropolitan Police Service
Ministry Of Justice
P.A.T.H (Plymouth Access To Housing)
Prison Advice And Care Trust
Somerset County Council
Step One
Torbay Recovery Initiatives
Victim Support

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying a criminology and criminal justice degree

Discover employment and further study opportunities that you could consider once you graduate with a criminology or criminal justice degree, and learn how you can stand out to graduate employers.

We encourage you to:

undertake career planning and research
build your networks, meet employees and graduates
gain essential work experience during your course
attend career fairs and events
continually develop your skills and knowledge
get involved with relevant clubs and societies
visit the Careers Service for advice.

Further study

Some of the careers chosen by criminology graduates will require or benefit from further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University of Plymouth offers the following postgraduate study options that could be of interest to criminology graduates:

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your personal circumstances:

It is also worth investigating what

further study options the University has to offer

as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni –

find out your funding options

Careers Service support

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the

Student Hub

or access

24/7 online resources

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

effective career planning
job hunting techniques
finding part-time work
CVs and interviews
mastering LinkedIn
and more.

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service; however, they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Connect with graduates

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn alumni’s tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

search LinkedIn for ‘University of Plymouth’
select ‘Alumni’
filter the results by subject, sector, company or location.

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or

come to one of our workshops

Other advice and guidance

Gaining work experience

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out some career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career. The Careers Service regularly advertise roles on myCareer and have initiatives you can apply for, such as student ambassador work, placements, micro-internships and other fantastic opportunities!

Find out more about placements and work experience

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration.

On your doorstep, the University of Plymouth Students’ Union offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

Clubs and societies

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities, it also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members can develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion.

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to criminology or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Tutor and academic support

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.