Criminology, sociology and anthropology

We offer a full range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research opportunities
Large zebra crossing in the city, busy blurred people in the background going into different directions.

Our courses are designed differently to ensure you’ll be able to navigate the challenges of the future and make your mark. These challenges require not only technological solutions but also a true understanding of human behaviour and how to drive positive change in society. Studying on one of our degrees means you’ll learn by doing alongside leading academics, researchers and expert practitioners, equipping you with the most relevant skills and expertise in your chosen subject.

Our core subjects

 

Criminology
Gain real insight into why people commit crime and how we, as a society, deal with criminality. Equip yourself with the tools to challenge and change the criminal justice system.

Sociology and anthropology
Study human behaviour, relationships and interactions. Explore what humans have in common and the ways in which we differ and what this means for tackling some of society’s biggest challenges.

3rd Year Sociology Student Field Trip to The Gambia/November 2015 Trip Image in Classroom/Jan 2016 Promo
Sociology field trip to The Gambia
A group of ex offenders who are playing a role in research looking at support for prisoners with mental health problems before and on release.
Learn alongside students from HMP Exeter
Ceuta nationalism, anthropology
Ceuta nationalism

Our degrees

Personalise your degree

Find out how our flexible course structures provide you with an opportunity to personalise your studies, feed your curiosity, and help you achieve your career aspirations.

Dive deeper into your subject: choose optional modules within your chosen subject area.

OR

Branch out and explore: choose to study modules from any of the School of Society and Culture's subject areas.

School of Society and Culture students looking out over Plymouth Hoe

Real-world and hands-on

Live-action and virtual reality crime scenes
Take advantage of our cutting edge crime scene simulation facilities and learn how the system works in real-life through our partnerships with organisations like HMP Exeter and Victim Support.

Engaging with social issues for real change
Gain real-world experience and apply sociology outside the classroom. Spend time immersed in the streets of the city you’re living in, putting Plymouth society under the microscope. See how change is made by working with local support groups and projects like Landworks.

Learn by doing
Collect stories from refugees housed in the region, work with local communities to understand how different people engage with sport or use our location on the edge of the peninsula to explore the importance of the sea to coastal communities.

Maker Memories - Media Arts students
Sociology students get involved with Maker Memories, a community-led research project
Professional policing crime scene
Crime scene simulations
Anthropology field trip London 2020
Anthropology fieldtrip

Join the Plymouth Cold Case Unit

The Plymouth Cold Case Unit (PCCU) investigates unsolved missing persons cases. We uncover new evidence which can be used by the police to solve these cases while giving students experience and skills – including investigative, analytical and social – to launch them into rewarding careers.
We are a student-led, expert-guided group with international connections and access to facilities and training at both the University of Plymouth and Locate International.
Applications are open to all foundation and year 1 students in the School of Society and Culture.
Staff and students from the Cold Case Unit work on the Salcombe Man case
BSc (Hons) Sociology field-trip to London

Postgraduate opportunities

Whether you choose a taught masters programme or undertake a research degree, you will be supported and supervised by staff who are international experts in their field.

Their breadth and depth of knowledge mean they are well placed to help you plan towards your future career and give advice based on genuine experience.

People on a beach

Looking for research opportunities?

As a postgraduate research student, you will join a vibrant, supportive and forward-thinking community that is committed to meeting global challenges in creative and imaginative ways.

Find out more about our research areas

Zoe Latham PhD Architecture.
Rainbow colourful image of person walking in data, connectivity and innovation. Getty image 1148091270.