Criminology or Criminal Justice?

At Edge Hill University, we offer degrees in both criminology and criminal justice. We understand that you might be considering which degree is right for you. So, to help you with this, we spoke to our Associate Head of the School of Law and Criminal Justice, Dr Jennifer Giblin and to Subject Leads in Criminology, Dr Helen Baker and Julie T Davies who gave us the low down on the key differences and what you can expect to study on each programme.  

What is the difference between criminal justice and criminology?

Put simply, criminal justice is more practical in nature, exploring why crime occurs, how the criminal justice system and society responds to crime, what it means to manage or rehabilitate offenders and how justice is administered within our institutions.  

Criminology rethinks crime, asks what makes a criminal, and who decides? Exploring the roots of crime and harm, criminology investigates how society responds, and critiques the very systems meant to deliver justice. This is more than just studying crime—it’s learning to question everything.

What will you study? 

Criminal Justice 

The focus of our criminal justice degree is on offenders and offending, how they are managed, punished and rehabilitated, and the vast array of work that can be done to prevent crime from occurring. You’ll explore the various causes of offending – from the societal to the psychological – and how offenders can be treated and rehabilitated. You will learn about the various agencies who deal with offenders and offending, including the police, the court system, the prison system, alternatives to custody, the youth justice system, and probation services. You will also spend time studying new areas such as cyber criminality, digital policing and online harms, examining the biggest threats facing society at present – cyber-crime and terrorism. With this, you’ll look at how societal phenomena, including gender expectations, impact on offenders, offending, and victims.  

You’ll be embarking on an immersive learning experience with opportunities to put your learning into practice in our on-campus Moot Court Room and our Police Training and Simulation Facility (‘Crime House’). You’ll be taught by leading experts and will have access to practice-focused modules (including cybercrime), work placements, employability workshops, and opportunities to network with key organisations in the criminal justice field. From critical thinking and leadership to resilience, empathy and digital/AI literacy, you’ll build the skills employers want and the confidence to thrive in the modern world.

Dr Jennifer Giblin

Programme Leader, Dr Abubakar Bello is engaged in research and teaching on cyber security and the role criminal justice experts play in investigating crime.

“Criminal justice experts play a key role in investigating crimes and ensuring that victims get justice and criminals are punished. These experts are also engaged in the design and development of proactive measures to prevent crime. Criminal justice does not only support our knowledge and understanding of cyber crime, but also aids in identifying and addressing cyber security gaps and needs to respond to this growing challenge in our society.”

Dr Abubakar Bello

Criminology 

The core ethos of our degree is critical criminology that encourages you to ‘think outside the box’, challenge domain assumptions produced and promulgated by the powerful, and ultimately ‘speak truth to power’. We teach you how to understand crime, power, and social injustice. This course offers critical insight into the complex ways that states, governments, corporations, and wider society operate in relation to crime, power, and social change. Together, we will examine the full spectrum of harmful actions—from interpersonal violence to corporate wrongdoing and genocide—while interrogating the systems and structures that enable such acts.

You’ll explore how the media can (mis)represent crime and collaborate with powerful agents to shape public perceptions, define who is labelled a criminal, and determine how justice is administered. By taking an international perspective, we will expose the deep-rooted inequalities in both social and criminal justice systems and consider how discrimination manifests within these frameworks. 

Julie T Davies

Our focus spans a broad range of crimes, from antisocial behaviour and domestic abuse to state-sanctioned violence and corporate offences. Central to our approach is amplifying the voices of victims, particularly those from marginalised communities whose stories are too often overlooked. You will get the opportunity to elect our new and innovative module that links music and crime.

Through case studies we will highlight serious miscarriages of justice. We will also scrutinise institutional failures such as the Grenfell Tower fire, and the Post Office scandal.  

These examples illuminate a disturbing truth: crimes committed by the powerful frequently escape the reach of justice. By critically engaging with such issues, you’ll be empowered to challenge dominant narratives and advocate for meaningful change. 

Dr Helen Baker

Criminology student, Mollie Myers wasn’t sure what to expect when she embarked on the degree at Edge Hill, but enjoyed all the different themes and topics it touches on.

“The thing that has shocked me most about studying Criminology is that it’s not just about crime – it’s about everything.  It’s made me think about issues that affect me and people around me, like feminism, austerity and the media.”

Mollie Myers
BA (Hons) Criminology

What are the career pathways for criminology and criminal justice graduates? 

Ultimately both these degrees can lead to careers within law and the criminal justice sector. Either degree could lead to roles such as working with offenders, working with victims, in law enforcement, youth work, and probation. However, the specific role you do may differ depending on your specialism and experience. There are also some different career pathways that each degree can lead to. 

By the time you graduate from either of these degrees, you’ll have a wide range of transferable skills that will equip you for a graduate role or further postgraduate study. Dr Giblin, Dr Baker and Ms Davies have shared some of the most common career pathways that our previous graduates from each degree have gone into.

So, which degree is right for you? 

To find the right degree for you, consider your interests, career goals, and the course content. At Edge Hill, we’re committed to providing you with the resources you need to succeed. Each course goes beyond traditional learning, fostering an inspiring and diverse environment that empowers you to achieve your goals. 

Come and visit us at one of our Open Days, speak to our academics, check out our facilities and get to know us. Get the answers to your questions. And discover why our students love Edge Hill. 

July 29, 2025