Study criminology abroad

An in-depth guide to studying criminology as an international student.

Explore criminology programs abroad

Criminology degrees abroad

Criminology is the study of crime, and looks at the causes, nature, control and prevention of criminal behaviour. A big part of most criminology programs is assessing the impact of crime on society, and how social problems and issues relate to criminality and victimization.

The emphasis on the social aspects of crime mean that studying criminology abroad will give you a unique opportunity to see how different societies and cultures approach criminal behavior.

Criminology program structure

The curriculum of a criminology program can vary depending on the country and university you study in, so it’s important to look closely at the structure content before you apply to make sure it covers what you expect.

Here are some of the topics you can expect to study during a criminology degree:

Introduction to criminology
Crime and society
Criminal justice
Controversies in criminology
Sociology of race and ethnicity
Criminological research
Policing
Criminology dissertation

Most criminology programs will be made up of core modules that you must take, and a number of optional modules that you choose, allowing you to tailor your degree to your interests.

Many criminology programs include the option to include a year abroad, which means you can increase your experience even further. An undergraduate degree in criminology will take between three and four years to complete, and a postgraduate program will be over one or two years.

Criminology program structure

Here are some of the topics you can expect to study during a criminology degree:

Introduction to criminology
Crime and society
Criminal justice
Controversies in criminology
Sociology of race and ethnicity
Criminological research
Policing
Criminology dissertation

Most criminology programs will be made up of core modules that you must take, and a number of optional modules that you choose, allowing you to tailor your degree to your interests.

Why study criminology abroad

Choosing to study criminology abroad not only means you’ll have a much wider choice of programs to choose from, but will also give you a unique perspective on the subject.

As criminology looks at criminal laws, and the relationship between crime and society, what you learn will be closely linked to the country you’re studying in. This means you’ll be able to broaden your understanding, and understand how different cultures approach issues related to crime.

Studying abroad is also a great way to meet new people, experience a new and exciting culture, improve your language skills and improve your CV. Find out more about the benefits of studying abroad here.

Where to study criminology abroad

There are a number of factors worth considering when you’re working out where to study criminology abroad:

Work out what type of location you want to live and study in. Think about things like the culture, lifestyle and climate; do you want to live in a city with year round sun, or would you prefer a small town environment with a laid back atmosphere?
Think about where you want to work after you graduate. Your criminology degree may focus on the criminal system and societal issues of the country you’re studying in, so you might find it easier to find a job here at the end of your program.
If you’re more concerned about the content and reputation of the program, you can base your decision on which universities are highly ranked for criminology and cover the areas that you’re interested in.

Read our guide on how to choose where to study abroad for more help on working out which destination is right for you.

Best countries to study criminology

There are criminology schools and university programs available all over the world, and some of the most popular destinations also boast the best ranked programs. Some of the best countries to study criminology include:

The UK
Australia
The USA
Hong Kong

- UK
- USA
- Canada
- Ireland
- Australia
- Cyprus

Best universities to study criminology

The best university to study criminology will be in a country you want to live in, and offer a program that matches your interests and career ambitions.

If you want to study a degree that includes a work placement or internship for example, make sure this is included and offered by the university program you choose.

You should also think about what the university offers outside of the classroom, including sports, societies and other social activities.

See all universities offering criminology programs

How to study criminology abroad

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Criminology study abroad programs

You can study criminology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. As an undergraduate you can study a BSc or BA, depending on the university you choose. There is little difference between the two, but a BA may focus more on social subjects and the BSc could be more oriented toward forensic sciences.

As a graduate you can study a master’s degree in criminology, and after this you can choose to study for a doctorate in the form of a PhD or MPhil.

Criminology undergraduate programs

Criminology graduate programs

Entry requirements to study criminology abroad

The entry requirements for every criminology program will depend on the university and country you’re applying to, however there are some standard requirements to be aware of:

Completion of secondary education in your home country, including IB Diploma
A personal statement that outlines your interest in criminology and your future plans
Satisfactory English language proficiency test scores
A bachelor’s degree, usually in criminology or a related field, to study at postgraduate level

Check the requirements for your chosen program carefully before you apply, to see what grades you’ll need. The application process will also be unique to the country, university and program you’re applying to, but you can see the general study abroad application requirements here.

Future criminology careers

A criminology degree opens up a number of career paths and opportunities. Popular careers for criminology graduates include:

Criminologist
Police officer
Corrections officer
Probation officer
Prison officer
Social worker
Criminal intelligence analyst
Forensic accountant

Some of these careers may require some additional training, or a master’s level degree. It’s worth considering what career you want after you’ve graduated to better understand the type of program you should study, and what other courses you might need to take.

Study criminology abroad

Explore criminology programs abroad

Bachelor's programs incriminology

Master's programs incriminology

PhD programs incriminology

Criminology degrees abroad

Criminology program structure

Why study criminology abroad

Where to study criminology abroad

Best countries to study criminology

Best universities to study criminology

How to study criminology abroad

University & program search

Application guidance

Visa & travel advice

Criminology study abroad programs

Criminology undergraduate programs

Criminology graduate programs

Entry requirements to study criminology abroad

Other humanities & law degrees

Future criminology careers

Bachelor's programs in
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Master's programs in
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PhD programs in
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