University Centre
Criminology, Policing and Criminal Law
As a Criminology, Policing and Criminal Law student, you know how important it is to protect the public. You are a practical and logical thinker, looking to develop your skills and start a fulfilling career in the protection services.
A Criminology, Policing and Criminal Law degree at Newcastle College University Centre will give you the foundation you need to kick-start your career in industry. Our practical courses are taught by former police officers and criminal justice workers, and have close links to industry specialists such as the Northumbria Police Crime Commissioner, the Violence Reduction Unit, British Transport Police and a range of North East law firms.
If you want a fulfilling and challenging career in a vital industry, start your journey with us.
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What can I study?
FdSc Criminology, Policing And Criminal Law
Study policing, youth justice, prison services and the criminal prosecution service to learn the skills you need to work within a variety of roles within the criminal justice system.
Length: 2 years
Study: Full-Time
Start date: 7th September 2026
Location: Rye Hill Campus
BSc (Hons) Criminology and Policing (Top Up)
The BSc (Hons) Criminology and Policing (Top-up) focuses on advanced, specialised areas of policing and criminology and provides more focused, in-depth study designed to underpin your theoretical understanding with real-world applications.
Length: 1 year
Study: Full-Time
Start date: 8th September 2025
Location: Rye Hill Campus
BSc (Hons) Criminology and Law (Top Up)
Building on the core principles from criminology and law, this Level 6 program allows you to deepen your expertise in specific areas of law and criminology.
Length: 1 year
Study: Full-Time
Start date: 7th September 2026
Location: Rye Hill Campus
Get In Touch
Meet our staff and students
Brandon James Edwards-Jary
BSc Professional Policing"I first came to Newcastle College when I was 16. I’d left school with no qualifications at all as I’d been let down by the system. I have autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia and I don’t think they knew what to do with me. My dream from the start was to become a police officer. The tutors here are so supportive. They've been behind me every step of the way, making sure I get through my courses and succeed. If you’d said to me, say five years ago, that I’d be graduating with a degree this year, I’d have laughed at you, but here I am!"
David Lee
FdA Police and Criminal Justice"I decided the career that I wanted to pursue was in policing. After researching the requirements, I found that a degree was necessary. The modules in this course really stood out to me as I felt they were relevant and interesting."
What can I do with a qualification in Criminology, Policing and Criminal Law?
Daily tasks:
- Directs and co-ordinates the operation of record keeping systems and the preparation of reports.
- Establishes contacts and sources of information concerning crimes planned or committed.
- Directs and monitors the work of subordinate officers.
- Plans, directs and co-ordinates general policing for an area or functional unit.
- Liaises with senior officers to determine staff, financial and other short- and long-term needs.
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Daily tasks:
- Gives evidence in court cases.
- Works on station reception desk and or in communications room.
- Prepares briefs or reports for senior officers.
- Attends accidents.
- Interviews suspects, takes statements from witnesses and stops, searches and/or arrests suspects.
- Investigates complaints, crimes, accidents, any suspicious activities or other incidents.
- Directs and controls traffic or crowds at demonstrations and large public events.
- Receives instructions from senior officers and patrols an assigned area on foot, horseback, motorcycle, motor car or boat to check security and enforce regulations.
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Daily tasks:
- May direct traffic and arrange for vehicles to be removed.
- May detain someone pending the arrival of a police officer.
- Provides crime prevention advice and helps to support victims of crime.
- Carries out house-to-house enquiries.
- Assists police officers at crime scenes and major events.
- Patrols a geographic area to monitor and deter criminal and anti-social activity and disorderly conduct.
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Daily tasks:
- Represents clients in court.
- Scrutinises statements, reports and legal documents relevant to the case being undertaken and prepares papers for court.
- Instructs counsel in higher and lower courts and pleads cases in lower courts as appropriate.
- Undertakes legal business on behalf of client in areas of business law, criminal law, probate, conveyancing and litigation, and acts as trustee or executor if required.
- Draws up contracts, leases, wills and other legal documents.
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Daily tasks:
- Revenue and customs, excise and immigration officers advise on the interpretation of regulations concerning taxes, duties and immigration requirements and enforce these regulations through monitoring of premises, examining goods entering the country to ensure correct duty is paid and establishing that passengers have the necessary authorisation for crossing national borders.
- Prison officers interview prisoners on arrival and discharge/departure, receive reports on disciplinary problems and decide on appropriate action, make periodic checks on internal and external security, and provide care and support to prisoners in custody.
- Ambulance officers plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities of ambulance personnel and control room assistants, for the provision of ambulance services for emergency and non-emergency cases.
- Fire officers plan, direct and co-ordinate an operational plan for one or more fire stations, attend fires and other emergencies to minimise danger to property and people, arrange for the salvaging of goods, immediate temporary repairs and security measures for fire damaged premises as necessary.
- Advises on the recruitment, training and monitoring of staff.
- Prepares reports for insurance companies, the Home Office, Scottish Home and Health Department, and other bodies as necessary.
- Liaises with other senior officials and/or government departments to determine staffing, financial and other short- and long-term needs.
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Daily tasks:
- Reports on prisoners.
- Trains and supervises prison staff.
- Provides care and support to prisoners in custody including prevention of self harm.
- Runs prisoner rehabilitation and support programmes.
- Escorts prisoners transferred from one institution to another.
- Investigates disturbances or any other unusual occurrences.
- Guards entrances and perimeter walls.
- Watches for any infringements of regulations and searches prisoners and cells for weapons, drugs and other contraband items.
- Escorts prisoners to and from cells and supervises them during meals, recreation and visiting periods.
Powered by EMSI
Daily tasks:
- Keeps accurate and comprehensive records.
- Works with prisoners in giving advice on problems such as drug and alcohol abuse, addressing training needs, finding work and getting accommodation.
- Draws up probation plans with offenders and helps them follow it, advises them on any work and helps them with any family or social problems.
- Enforces court orders and serves the public by providing a wide range of supervision programmes for those in receipt of a community sentence.
- Produces pre-sentence reports to the court about an individual.
Powered by EMSI
What can I do with a qualification in Criminology, Policing and Criminal Law?
Senior Police Officers
Daily tasks:
- Directs and co-ordinates the operation of record keeping systems and the preparation of reports.
- Establishes contacts and sources of information concerning crimes planned or committed.
- Directs and monitors the work of subordinate officers.
- Plans, directs and co-ordinates general policing for an area or functional unit.
- Liaises with senior officers to determine staff, financial and other short- and long-term needs.
Powered by EMSI
Police Officers (Sergeant and Below)
Daily tasks:
- Gives evidence in court cases.
- Works on station reception desk and or in communications room.
- Prepares briefs or reports for senior officers.
- Attends accidents.
- Interviews suspects, takes statements from witnesses and stops, searches and/or arrests suspects.
- Investigates complaints, crimes, accidents, any suspicious activities or other incidents.
- Directs and controls traffic or crowds at demonstrations and large public events.
- Receives instructions from senior officers and patrols an assigned area on foot, horseback, motorcycle, motor car or boat to check security and enforce regulations.
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Police Community Support Officers
Daily tasks:
- May direct traffic and arrange for vehicles to be removed.
- May detain someone pending the arrival of a police officer.
- Provides crime prevention advice and helps to support victims of crime.
- Carries out house-to-house enquiries.
- Assists police officers at crime scenes and major events.
- Patrols a geographic area to monitor and deter criminal and anti-social activity and disorderly conduct.
Powered by EMSI
Solicitors
Daily tasks:
- Represents clients in court.
- Scrutinises statements, reports and legal documents relevant to the case being undertaken and prepares papers for court.
- Instructs counsel in higher and lower courts and pleads cases in lower courts as appropriate.
- Undertakes legal business on behalf of client in areas of business law, criminal law, probate, conveyancing and litigation, and acts as trustee or executor if required.
- Draws up contracts, leases, wills and other legal documents.
Powered by EMSI
Senior Officers in Fire, Ambulance, Prison and Related Services
Daily tasks:
- Revenue and customs, excise and immigration officers advise on the interpretation of regulations concerning taxes, duties and immigration requirements and enforce these regulations through monitoring of premises, examining goods entering the country to ensure correct duty is paid and establishing that passengers have the necessary authorisation for crossing national borders.
- Prison officers interview prisoners on arrival and discharge/departure, receive reports on disciplinary problems and decide on appropriate action, make periodic checks on internal and external security, and provide care and support to prisoners in custody.
- Ambulance officers plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities of ambulance personnel and control room assistants, for the provision of ambulance services for emergency and non-emergency cases.
- Fire officers plan, direct and co-ordinate an operational plan for one or more fire stations, attend fires and other emergencies to minimise danger to property and people, arrange for the salvaging of goods, immediate temporary repairs and security measures for fire damaged premises as necessary.
- Advises on the recruitment, training and monitoring of staff.
- Prepares reports for insurance companies, the Home Office, Scottish Home and Health Department, and other bodies as necessary.
- Liaises with other senior officials and/or government departments to determine staffing, financial and other short- and long-term needs.
Powered by EMSI
Prison Service Officers (Below Principal Officer)
Daily tasks:
- Reports on prisoners.
- Trains and supervises prison staff.
- Provides care and support to prisoners in custody including prevention of self harm.
- Runs prisoner rehabilitation and support programmes.
- Escorts prisoners transferred from one institution to another.
- Investigates disturbances or any other unusual occurrences.
- Guards entrances and perimeter walls.
- Watches for any infringements of regulations and searches prisoners and cells for weapons, drugs and other contraband items.
- Escorts prisoners to and from cells and supervises them during meals, recreation and visiting periods.
Powered by EMSI
Probation Officers
Daily tasks:
- Keeps accurate and comprehensive records.
- Works with prisoners in giving advice on problems such as drug and alcohol abuse, addressing training needs, finding work and getting accommodation.
- Draws up probation plans with offenders and helps them follow it, advises them on any work and helps them with any family or social problems.
- Enforces court orders and serves the public by providing a wide range of supervision programmes for those in receipt of a community sentence.
- Produces pre-sentence reports to the court about an individual.
Powered by EMSI
Good to know
Our degrees explained
How can I progress?
Levels Explained
Trying to make sense of your grades? Not sure what you can study? Read our handy 'Levels Explained' guide.