COURSE CURRICULUM

The Policing and Criminology degree at ARU provides a structured and comprehensive study of criminal justice, equipping students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for careers in policing and related sectors. In the first year, students are introduced to the foundations of policing, contemporary issues in criminology, policing practice, and the structure and function of the criminal justice system in England and Wales. The second year builds on this knowledge, focusing on research methods, societal and cultural perspectives, violence and confrontation, victimology, the impact of media and technology on crime, and crime data analysis, while also including the Ruskin Module to broaden academic learning. In the final year, students consolidate their understanding through an undergraduate major project in criminology and specialised modules such as youth, crime and aggression, investigative psychology, criminology and policing in policy and practice, crimes of the powerful, and exploitation, trafficking and sexual violence. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, research, and professional skills, enabling students to understand and respond to complex issues in the criminal justice system. Graduates leave prepared for professional roles in policing, criminal justice, policy development, or further academic study, with a strong foundation in both theory and practical application.