Study justice services abroad

A degree in criminal justice is designed to give you an understanding of crime and the criminal justice system. Most programs have a multi-discipline approach covering subjects like criminology, sociology, psychology, social policy and law.

New technologies and changing societal issues have meant that crime has evolved. As a criminal justice student, you’ll study the causes of crime, criminal behavior and how to combat crime. This knowledge will set you up for a career safeguarding the public, supporting victims, protecting the vulnerable, and helping to rehabilitate offenders.

Studying criminal justice abroad means you’ll get to see how different societies and systems approach crime. You can study criminal justice in a number of countries around the world, including the UK, US, Canada and Australia.

You can study criminal justice at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. As an undergraduate you can study a BSc or BA over three of four years, depending on the program and university. The two programs are usually very similar, but the BA may focus more on social subjects and the BSc could include more science-based modules.

Many universities offer criminal justice degree programs that are combined with another subject, like criminology, law or policing. In the US, you will usually study criminal justice as a major subject alongside other minor concentrations and general studies.

As a graduate, you can study a master’s degree in criminal justice over one or two years, and after this you can choose to study for a doctorate in the form of a PhD or MPhil. Postgraduate programs are often offered in specialist areas of criminal justice and usually focus on research.

Teaching on a criminal justice program will usually be made up of lectures, seminars and workshops, but will also include field trips and the chance to spend time in placements. Most programs will be made up of core modules you have to take, and several electives you can choose to tailor your degree. Some of the most common modules include:

• Crime and society
• Criminology and social policy
• Ethics and diversity in the justice system
• The legal system
• Police powers and the law
• Contemporary debates in criminology
• Youth justice
• Research skills and project

After graduation, you will have the skills necessary to pursue a career in the criminal justice sector. Graduates often find work in probation, prisons, policing or social work - here are some of the most common roles criminal justice students go into:

• Community support officer
• Probation officer
• Prison officer
• Social worker
• Support worker
• Police officer

For some roles, including becoming a police officer, you may need to do additional qualifications or testing before you can apply. If you know what career you want, make sure you choose a program that will give you the skills and qualifications you’ll need.