What Jobs Can You Get with a Criminology Degree UK – Full Career Guide for 2025
Introduction
One question likely jumps out at you if you have graduated with a degree in criminology or are considering studying criminology in the UK: “What jobs can you get with a criminology degree UK?” The good news? One of the most flexible degrees is criminology, which offers a wide range of job options in social justice, governance, research, policy-making, education, mental health, and the business sector in addition to law enforcement.
More than 100 possible job pathways, pay ranges, necessary skills, and employment trends for criminology graduates in the UK are covered in this extensive reference. This page is designed to help you make the most of your criminology degree, regardless of whether you’re a current student, a recent graduate, or trying to change careers.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Criminology as a Discipline
- Why Criminology Is a Valuable Degree in the UK
- What Skills Do Criminology Graduates Offer?
- Industries That Hire Criminology Graduates
- Top Jobs Directly Related to Criminology
- Jobs That Value a Criminology Background
- Law Enforcement Careers
- Intelligence and Investigation Careers
- Legal and Judicial Careers
- Probation and Prison Services
- Youth and Community Work
- Victim Support Services
- Social Work and Safeguarding
- Mental Health and Psychology Crossover Roles
- Careers in Research and Academia
- Cybercrime and Digital Security Roles
- Government and Civil Service Positions
- Roles in NGOs and Charities
- Criminology Careers in the Private Sector
- Freelance and Consulting Opportunities
- International Job Opportunities for UK Graduates
- Salary Expectations in the UK (By Role)
- Common Employers for Criminology Graduates
- Remote and Hybrid Job Opportunities
- Postgraduate Study Options
- Professional Certifications and Training
- Career Building Tips for Criminology Students
- Entry-Level vs Experienced Roles
- CV Writing and Interview Preparation
- Final Thoughts
1. Understanding Criminology as a Discipline
Criminology is the scientific study of crime, its causes, prevention, and impact on society. It encompasses elements of sociology, psychology, law, and forensic science.
2. Why Criminology Is a Valuable Degree in the UK
- Relevant across public, private, and third sectors
- Equips graduates with analytical, ethical, and research skills
- Addressing growing concerns like cybercrime, domestic abuse, and youth offending
3. What Skills Do Criminology Graduates Offer?
- Research and data interpretation
- Understanding of criminal justice systems
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Communication and conflict resolution
- Ethical and legal reasoning
4. Industries That Hire Criminology Graduates
- Policing and law enforcement
- Criminal justice and corrections
- Government and civil service
- Nonprofits and advocacy organisations
- Legal and judicial sectors
- Private security and risk management
5. Top Jobs Directly Related to Criminology
- Police Officer
- Probation Officer
- Crime Analyst
- Prison Officer
- Criminal Intelligence Analyst
- Victim Support Worker
- Youth Offending Team Officer
- Restorative Justice Coordinator
6. Jobs That Value a Criminology Background
- Social Worker
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Domestic Abuse Case Manager
- Border Force Officer
- Community Development Worker
- Housing Officer
- Immigration Caseworker
7. Law Enforcement Careers
- Police Constable (Met Police, British Transport Police)
- Detective
- Armed Response Unit Officer
- Community Support Officer (PCSO)
- National Crime Agency (NCA) Officer
8. Intelligence and Investigation Careers
- Intelligence Officer (MI5, GCHQ)
- Counter-terrorism Analyst
- Fraud Investigator
- Financial Crime Analyst
- Criminal Profiler
9. Legal and Judicial Careers
- Criminal Law Paralegal
- Court Clerk
- Legal Assistant (Public Defender or Crown Prosecution Service)
- Witness Care Officer
10. Probation and Prison Services
- Probation Officer (HMPPS)
- Case Manager (CRC)
- Prison Liaison Officer
- Offender Management Support
- Resettlement Officer
11. Youth and Community Work
- Youth Offending Service Worker
- Youth Justice Worker
- Family Liaison Worker
- School Behavioural Support
12. Victim Support Services
- Domestic Violence Support Worker
- Sexual Abuse Caseworker
- Victim Advocacy Specialist
- Crisis Intervention Specialist
13. Social Work and Safeguarding
- Adult Social Care Officer
- Child Protection Officer
- Safeguarding and Inclusion Officer
14. Mental Health and Psychology Crossover Roles
- Forensic Psychology Assistant
- Behavioural Therapist (with additional training)
- Mental Health Case Manager
15. Careers in Research and Academia
- Research Assistant (Universities, Think Tanks)
- PhD Student in Criminology or Criminal Justice
- Academic Lecturer
16. Cybercrime and Digital Security Roles
- Cyber Intelligence Analyst
- Digital Forensics Examiner
- Online Safety Policy Advisor
- Data Protection Officer
17. Government and Civil Service Positions
- Civil Servant (Home Office, Ministry of Justice)
- Crime Prevention Policy Analyst
- Public Affairs Strategist
18. Roles in NGOs and Charities
- Human Rights Advocate
- Anti-trafficking Coordinator
- Criminal Justice Reform Campaigner
19. Criminology Careers in the Private Sector
- Private Investigator
- Security Consultant
- Compliance Officer (Financial Firms)
- Risk Analyst
20. Freelance and Consulting Opportunities
- Criminology Consultant
- Expert Witness
- Freelance Crime Writer or Blogger
21. International Job Opportunities for UK Graduates
- EUROPOL Analyst
- INTERPOL Investigator
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- International NGOs (e.g., Amnesty International)
22. Salary Expectations in the UK (2025 Update)
| Role | Starting Salary | Experienced Salary |
| Police Officer | £26,000 | £45,000+ |
| Probation Officer | £30,000 | £40,000 |
| Intelligence Analyst | £35,000 | £50,000+ |
| Cybercrime Analyst | £40,000 | £65,000+ |
| Social Worker | £28,000 | £42,000 |
| Prison Officer | £24,000 | £38,000 |
23. Common Employers for Criminology Graduates
- HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)
- National Crime Agency (NCA)
- Metropolitan Police
- Local Authorities
- Crown Prosecution Service
- Charity organisations (e.g., Victim Support, NSPCC)
- GCHQ, MI5, Home Office
24. Remote and Hybrid Job Opportunities
- Online Crime Researcher
- Policy Advisor (Hybrid/Govt)
- Criminology Writer/Content Creator
- Cybersecurity Consultant
25. Postgraduate Study Options
- MSc in Criminology
- MSc Forensic Psychology
- LLM Criminal Law
- PGCE (for teaching roles)
- MSc in Cybercrime Investigation
26. Professional Certifications and Training
- Domestic Violence Awareness Training
- Youth Justice Practitioner Training
- Digital Forensics Certification
- Restorative Justice Certification
27. Career Building Tips for Criminology Students
- Volunteer in youth or community services
- Get involved in research projects
- Join criminology-related student groups or societies
- Complete short online courses (FutureLearn, Coursera, etc.)
28. Entry-Level vs Experienced Roles
Entry-level positions may include:
- Admin roles in criminal justice agencies
- Support workers in social services
- Research interns or assistants
With experience:
- Move into specialist or managerial positions
- Become policy advisors or consultants
29. CV Writing and Interview Preparation
- Tailor your CV to criminology-specific roles
- Highlight relevant modules or dissertation topics
- Use STAR technique to structure answers
- Show awareness of current justice system issues
30. Final Thoughts
The question, “What jobs can you get with a criminology degree UK?” has many different responses. Criminology graduates are influencing modern society’s safety and ethics through everything from conventional policing to innovative cybercrime prevention.
Regardless of your interests—justice, reform, security, or analysis—a criminology degree can lead to a fulfilling job. Gain experience, remain knowledgeable, and never stop learning, and your prospects will only grow.
Read More: Top Criminology Universities in UK
