Criminology focuses on the causes and consequences of crime, as well as how the criminal justice system responds to crime. Criminologists are interested in how activities come to be defined as criminal, and why definitions of crime vary across countries and over time. The subject includes a wide range of social and psychological theories that attempt to explain criminal behaviour and the effective operation of the criminal justice system.

Sociology is a scientific discipline concerned with the explanation of social life and human behaviour of all kinds. It equips students with the skills to understand the breadth of social practice, ranging from the global (including power and politics, conflict and peace processes, security, the digital world, climate change, racism and social justice) to individual experiences (such as the body, intimacy, emotions, identity, beliefs and mental health).

Criminology and Sociology graduates work in a wide range of occupations, including the media, civil service, police, research, teaching, business, commerce, marketing and management. Some graduates build on the degree by undertaking postgraduate training in fields such as social work, law, social science research and teaching. Tailored careers advice and study guidance is available to all students throughout their time at Queen’s.

Studying for a Joint Honours Degree in Criminology and Sociology at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline.

The diversity of interests and topics covered in the discipline, plus the wide range of skills it equips you with, means that our students enter a wide range of careers on graduation. These include the public sector (e.g. social services, education, criminal justice, social work), private sector (e.g. market research, policy analysis, human resources), and third sector (e.g. policy analyst, researcher, youth support worker, charity fundraiser). A number of our students also go on to postgraduate study, on a full or part-time basis.

The following is a list of the major career sectors (and indicative starting salaries) that have attracted our graduates in recent years:

• Fast Stream Civil Service: £25,000
• Diversity Manager: £22,800
• Public Policy Analyst: £19,000
• Public Relations Officer: £16,000-25,000
• Volunteer Coordinator: £20,000-£26,500
• Social Researcher: £22,000
• Social Worker (after relevant graduate track degree): £23,500
• Public Administrator: £22,300
• Charity Fundraiser: £15,000-£24,000
• Police Officer: £22,300
• Teacher (after relevant graduate track degree): £21,500