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What can you do with a criminology degree?
Also called: Criminal justice · Criminology and criminal justice · Criminal justice studies · Crime science
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
A criminology degree studies crime, why people commit it and how societies respond through policing, courts, prisons and prevention. It draws on sociology, psychology and law. Graduates work in policing, probation, social work, victim support, youth justice, policy and research, and some move into law or cybercrime investigation after further training.
Careers with a criminology degree
Criminology graduates work across the justice system and in public services. Common directions include police officer or police staff roles, probation and prison work, youth justice and victim support. Some become social workers after an approved social work qualification, and others work as paralegals or go on to train as lawyers. Graduates with research skills become policy officers or crime analysts in government and charities. With extra technical training, some move into cybercrime investigation or cybersecurity.
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Social worker
Social workers support children, families and adults who face serious difficulties, such as abuse, neglect, poverty, disability, mental illness or addiction.
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Paralegal
Paralegals do legal work under the supervision of lawyers, such as research, drafting documents and managing case files.
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Policy officer
Policy officers research problems, analyse evidence and advise decision makers on laws, programmes and strategies.
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Cybersecurity specialist
Cybersecurity specialists protect computer systems, networks and data from attacks, theft and damage.
Other roles graduates go into: Probation officer · Crime analyst · Prison officer · Youth justice worker · Victim support worker · Intelligence analyst
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Theories of crime and deviance
- Criminal justice systems and policing
- Criminal law and human rights
- Victims, punishment and prisons
- Youth crime and youth justice
- Cybercrime and organised crime
- Psychology and crime
- Research methods and crime data
Skills you gain
- Analysing social problems using evidence and theory
- Collecting and interpreting data, including crime statistics
- Writing clear reports and arguments
- Understanding legal and ethical issues
- Communicating with people from different backgrounds
- Thinking critically about policy and the media
How the degree differs around the world
In the UK, criminology is a popular three-year degree, often combined with psychology, sociology or law. In the United States, the more common degree is criminal justice, a four-year programme with a more practical focus on policing, courts and prisons. In many countries in continental Europe and elsewhere, criminology is mainly taught at master's level after a first degree in law, sociology or psychology. The degree is not a professional licence, and entry to policing, probation or social work follows each country's own training and selection rules.
How do criminology graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Social sciences, journalism and information”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estonia | 112 (2023) | 89.8% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Chile | 112 (2023) | 82.5% (2022) | 85.7% |
| Denmark | 107 (2023) | 89.5% (2021) | 87.8% |
| Norway | 107 (2023) | 87.0% (2024) | 89.3% |
| Switzerland | 107 (2023) | 86.4% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Finland | 106 (2022) | 88.6% (2024) | 88.8% |
| United States | 101 (2023) | 83.7% (2017) | 84.3% |
| Costa Rica | 101 (2023) | 72.4% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Latvia | 100 (2023) | 86.8% (2024) | 87.7% |
| South Korea | 100 (2023) | — | — |
| Canada | 98 (2020) | 80.4% (2021) | 80.4% |
| Romania | 97 (2023) | 91.1% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Slovenia | 96 (2020) | 89.9% (2024) | 90.8% |
| Australia | 96 (2020) | 85.5% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Luxembourg | 95 (2023) | 84.6% (2024) | 85.7% |
| Austria | 94 (2023) | 83.0% (2024) | 86.4% |
| Portugal | 93 (2020) | 90.7% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Mexico | 93 (2023) | 78.6% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Sweden | 92 (2023) | 88.5% (2024) | 89.6% |
| United Kingdom | 91 (2020) | 85.5% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Germany | 81 (2020) | 85.1% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Iceland | — | 94.4% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Lithuania | — | 92.5% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Poland | — | 91.2% (2024) | 91.6% |
| Netherlands | — | 90.5% (2024) | 90.6% |
| Slovakia | — | 89.8% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Belgium | — | 86.1% (2024) | 88.5% |
| Czechia | — | 86.1% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Ireland | — | 85.8% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Croatia | — | 83.6% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Italy | — | 83.5% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Spain | — | 83.5% (2024) | 83.9% |
| France | — | 82.1% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Greece | — | 81.0% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Peru | — | 80.9% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Türkiye | — | 68.1% (2016) | 72.9% |
| Hungary | — | 62.2% (2024) | 76.2% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Is a criminology degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You are interested in why crime happens and how to prevent it.
- You enjoy discussing social issues using evidence, not just opinion.
- You want a career in public service, justice or supporting vulnerable people.
Think twice if
- You expect it to be like crime dramas, as most of the degree is theory, research and essays.
- You want to become a forensic scientist, which usually needs a science degree.
- You would find it very hard to work with upsetting cases and people in crisis.
Further study
A master's degree in criminology, criminal justice or security studies can help for research, policy and analyst roles. Some graduates go on to study law, through a graduate law degree as in the United States or a conversion course as in the UK. Others take a postgraduate qualification in social work or psychology. Police and probation services in many countries run their own training after selection. A PhD leads to university teaching and research.
Questions about studying criminology
What jobs can you get with a criminology degree?
Common jobs include police officer, probation officer, prison officer, youth justice worker, victim support worker, crime analyst and policy officer. With further qualifications, graduates become social workers, lawyers or cybersecurity specialists. Others work for charities, local government, courts, border and customs agencies, and research organisations. Many public service roles have their own selection and training.
What is the difference between criminology and criminal justice?
Criminology focuses on why crime happens, how it is measured and how society reacts, drawing on sociology and psychology. Criminal justice focuses on how the system works in practice, such as policing, courts and prisons. In the United States, criminal justice degrees are more common, while in the UK criminology is the usual name. Many programmes cover both.
Do you need a criminology degree to become a police officer?
No. Most police services do not require a specific degree, and in many countries you can join after school and train at a police academy. Some countries run police training at degree level. A criminology degree can help you understand the work and prepare for selection, but it does not guarantee a place.
Is criminology the same as forensic science?
No. Criminology is a social science that studies crime, offenders, victims and justice systems. Forensic science is a laboratory science that analyses evidence such as DNA, fibres and drugs, and it usually needs a degree in chemistry, biology or forensic science. If you want to work in a crime laboratory, choose a science degree.
Related subjects
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Sociology
A sociology degree studies how societies work: how groups, institutions and cultures shape people's lives, and why inequality, crime, migration and social change happen.
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Law
A law degree teaches how legal systems work and how to find, interpret and apply the law, from contracts and crime to human rights.
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Psychology
A psychology degree is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour: how people think, feel, learn, develop and relate to each other.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0314
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with a criminology degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/criminology/ (accessed September 26, 2026)