Criminologist

Career path and progression

You could become a senior policy adviser on crime and crime reduction with local or national government, the police or the probation service.

You could also work as a specialist researcher in particular offences, for example online abuse, organised crime or youth offending.

You could have an academic career in a university and become a professor of criminology.

With further training, you might move into social or probation work, a career in law or join the security services.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of sociology and anthropology for understanding society and culture
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent written communication skills
• maths knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks
• pass security checks

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Sociology - Criminologists study how society, inequality, and social structures influence criminal behaviour. They draw heavily on sociological theories and research methods to understand patterns of crime across different communities and demographics.
• Psychology - Criminologists need to understand why individuals commit crimes, looking at factors like mental health, motivation, and behavioural patterns. They speak to offenders and ex-offenders, and understanding how people think and react is central to developing effective rehabilitation programmes.
• Law - Criminologists advise policy makers in the justice and policing systems and recommend improvements to court sentences. They need a solid understanding of the legal framework, including how criminal law works and how the justice system processes offenders.
• Mathematics - Criminologists analyse data from surveys and intelligence reports to spot crime trends and evaluate whether policies are working. Statistical skills are essential for interpreting research findings and presenting evidence-based recommendations to government and police.
• Politics - Criminologists advise local and national government on crime reduction policy and work closely with policing and probation services. Understanding how political decisions shape the criminal justice system helps them influence real change in how crime is tackled.

Also relevant

• English Language - Criminologists write detailed research reports, policy recommendations, and academic papers that need to be clear and persuasive. They also present findings at conferences and communicate complex ideas to audiences ranging from politicians to prison staff.
• Philosophy - Criminologists engage with ethical questions about punishment, justice, and rehabilitation – for example, whether prison sentences are fair or effective. Philosophical thinking helps them critically evaluate different approaches to crime and consider what a just society looks like.
• Economics - Criminologists often consider how economic factors like poverty, unemployment, and inequality contribute to crime. Understanding economic principles also helps when evaluating whether crime reduction programmes are cost-effective for government.
• History - Criminologists benefit from understanding how attitudes to crime, punishment, and justice have changed over time. Historical context helps explain why certain laws exist and how past policies have shaped the criminal justice system we have today.