Studying criminology is an interesting, practical and thoroughly rewarding endeavour. Mentally stimulating and engaging from start to finish, gaining a qualification in this respected field – such as an international diploma – can also open new career opportunities and allow you to progress in a profession you’re passionate about.
In this handy guide, we take a look at some of the major benefits of studying criminology. This includes looking at some of the specific job roles a qualification in this subject can unlock. We also give you an idea of how much criminologists earn in the UK. So, if you are considering a career in criminology, carry on reading for all you need to know.
Why study criminology?
Whether you are looking for a brand new career or you want to progress from your current entry-level legal or criminal justice role, there are plenty of reasons to study criminology. Below we take a look at some of these reasons in detail.
Your future role can help society
If you’re passionate about helping your community, a qualification in criminology could be for you. This is because being able to list a diploma in criminology on your CV enables you to apply for both public and private sector jobs that are of high value to society. As we will explore in more detail later, jobs of this nature include rehabilitation and crime prevention work, judicial work, and police work.
It’s an exciting and ever-evolving field
The ways criminals operate are constantly changing and evolving. From the types of crimes committed to the methods used, there are always new ways crime impacts society. For this reason, the field of criminology is always having to evolve in order to stay effective and relevant. With fresh challenges always presenting themselves, many new research areas regularly appear. This means criminology can be a fast-paced, stimulating and very dynamic subject.
This course can be completed at a pace that fits your lifestyle
When you choose to study criminology with ICI, you can complete your course online at your own pace. This means no matter what else is going on in your life, we can accommodate your learning. This removes the potential financial strain of a full-time university course and gives distance learners more flexibility. On top of this, with no fixed timetables or classroom-based learning, students can complete a criminology course more quickly with ICI when compared with equivalent face-to-face alternatives.
It opens up a range of career options
When it comes to career pathways, studying criminology can unlock many opportunities, from careers in law enforcement and judicial advocacy to less obvious niches like community planning and immigration. As we explore in greater detail below, this also means higher earning potential.
What jobs can you get with a criminology diploma?
A criminology diploma has the potential to open up a wide and diverse range of job opportunities. For those looking for a career directly related to their studies, a qualification of this type can help land roles with law enforcement agencies, as well as military intelligence. This could include working as a crime analyst or crime scene technician, for example.
These qualifications can also help you work in public sector roles relating to crime reduction, probation and rehabilitation. In many cases, specialist roles relating to specific areas of interest may also become a realistic option. Examples include working for government agencies or charity organisations that help those affected by domestic abuse, organised crime or cybercrime. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that some of the largest organisations that look to hire those with criminology qualifications include:
- The National Crime Agency
- UK police forces
- HM Revenue and Customs
- HM Prison & Probation Service
- Security and intelligence services
However, this qualification will not restrict you to crime prevention careers. Indeed, the skills you learn during your course will prepare you for a wide range of diverse working environments. With your completed diploma a testament to strong problem solving and critical thinking skills, a career in other sectors such as law, social work, or even government is also possible. This could include working as a court advocate or paralegal, for example. Similarly, it could lead to a career as a social worker or youth councillor. The possibilities are almost endless.
Of course, your criminology diploma might also simply represent the start of your studies. Whether you decide on a second specialist area you’d like to gain a diploma in, or you would like to build on your criminology studies with more advanced courses, a criminology diploma is a fantastic way to start an academic career in this field.
How much do criminologists make?
If, after you have completed your diploma in criminology, you have eyes only for a career as a criminologist, you might be interested to know how much you can expect to earn. Well, according to UK salary experts Payscale, a qualified criminologist can earn between £24,000 and £37,000 a year, based on experience. As the chart below outlines, an entry-level position – designed for those with less than one year’s experience – is likely to pay around £24,500. Those with between one and four years’ relevant experience can expect to make around £25,500, rising to the £30,000 per year mark for professionals with five to nine years experience. Finally, those who have worked in the field for over a decade can expect upwards of £36,000 per year.
Naturally, these figures can vary based on location, private vs public sector settings, and individual employers. It’s also worth noting that criminologists that are able to specialise in a particular niche area can earn substantially more. For example, professionals that specialise in forensic criminology, or those who focus particularly on juvenile delinquency and rehabilitation, may command larger annual salaries. However, these figures provide rough guidelines and can set expectations for prospective criminologists.
