Criminology BA(Hons): Links with business and industry

The course has links with a large body of organisations across London that are involved with the criminal justice system at some level.  These include:

• substance misuse projects;
• Victim Support and witness support schemes;
• Magistrates' and Crown Courts;
• youth offending teams, youth work projects and youth mentoring schemes;
• the police;
• mental health organisations;
• the Probation Service and Prison Service; and
• Surrey County Council.

Placement

A minimum 40-hour placement makes up one module, and the organisations above are typical examples of the areas you might choose for your placement.*  The placement:

• helps with your academic studies;
• gives you the chance to learn more about an organisation you may be interested in; and
• offers a taste of frontline work and can help you make more informed career choices.

*  Note that many frontline agencies do not accept placement students under 21 years of age.  Most placements are subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check.

Crime audit

Thanks to the University's involvement in the Kingston Crime Reduction Partnership, Criminology students collect data for a survey of personal safety and levels of victimisation in Kingston.  The survey provides an annual benchmark to inform Kingston's community safety strategy and is part of the Crime Audit managed by the Crime Reduction Team at the Government Office for London. You will contribute to a significant element of it.

You will be taught how to conduct street interviews and record and analyse the data you collect. The information you gather is used to compile papers on trends in personal safety in Kingston and will be used by subsequent years' students for their studies.

Guest lecturers

During your degree, you can attend lectures from speakers working in fields relevant to criminology, such as judges, police officials, members of the Prison Service and numerous advocacy groups.  This means you can be sure that the course is up-to-date with the latest working practices.