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Careers and Employability Handbook

Criminology

Contents1 Introduction to Careers with Criminology

2 The Career Development Service

3 Exploring Your Options

4 Gain Real-World Experience

5 Graduate Employment Opportunities

6 Further Study

7 Useful Websites

My degree has given me real insight into the criminal justice

system, offenders and a broader

understanding of society as a whole.

Lorna, Criminology

2 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER EMPLOYABILITY BROCHURE 3

The University of Leicester is one of the only universities in the country to have its own department exclusively dedicated to criminology, and this creates an environment which enables our students to learn from internationally-renowned scholars and which enables our staff to push the boundaries of the discipline.

We are a research-intensive, multi-disciplinary Department of Criminology committed to generating new knowledge and impacts. By working collaboratively with partners within and beyond the criminal justice sector, we aim to generate fresh insights which not only shape the way we think about crime, but which also influence the ways that policy-makers and practitioners shape their own responses to crime.

Our degree programmes aim to provide you with a range of skills that will give you a head-start in today’s competitive job market. Here at Leicester we recognise how competitive the graduate job market is and how important it is to develop your employability skills and experience beyond your academic degree. We have been working alongside the Career Development Service on a range of exciting developments, including a programme called ‘Being a Criminologist’ which has become an integral part of our undergraduate degree. Ultimately, we want to ensure that all our students acquire the skills that graduate recruiters are looking for, and that they have the confidence and ability to present themselves in a professional manner.

This brochure has been designed to help you explore the range of employment and further study options available after a degree in criminology. We hope you find it helpful.

Good luck with your studies!

Professor Neil Chakraborti

Head of Department

Welcometo the Department of Criminology

2 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER EMPLOYABILITY BROCHURE 3

This guide is intended to raise your awareness of potential opportunities in the employment market where a criminology degree is advantageous, and to make you think about the opportunities to enhance your career prospects while studying at the University of Leicester’s Department of Criminology.

The aim of this brochure is two-fold: 1) To outline the transferable skills you will acquire as a criminology student as part of the unique careers provision provided here at the University of Leicester

2) To illustrate the careers you can undertake with a criminology degree

By studying criminology you will develop an understanding of the social and personal aspects of crime, victimisation and responses to crime and deviance. The undergraduate programmes focus on issues such as: the motivations behind criminal or deviant behaviour; contemporary methods of policing and crime prevention; the workings of the criminal justice system, and policy

Introduction To Careers With Criminology

development and practice around these important issues. You will build up subject specific knowledge and skills including:

• theoretical approaches relating to crime, victimisation and responses to crime;

• the principles of criminological research. and research methods;

• processes of criminalisation and victimisation;

• the causes and organisation of crime and deviance;

• processes of preventing and managing crime and victimisation;

• official and unofficial responses to crime, deviance and social harm, including policing and the various stages of the criminal justice process;

• representations of crime, offenders, victims and agencies of control (as found in reports, mass media and public opinion); and

• local, national, and international contexts of crime, security and terrorism.

4 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER

Criminology draws on the range of human and social science disciplines, and it can be studied with other subjects if you opt for a Major /Minor degree. If you study other subjects alongside criminology, you should also consider the complementary skills they provide you with.

During your degree you will also develop transferable skills which are attractive to a variety of employers. These include:

• research skills (e.g. ethical research and analysis, qualitative and quantitative methods and software programmes);

• written and oral communication (e.g. report writing, essays, fact-sheets, presentations);

• planning and organising (e.g. time management, the ability to work to deadlines);

• digital and IT skills (e.g. bookmarking, refworks);

• critical analysis, problem-solving and decision making; and

• the ability to work productively both in a group and autonomously

Employers also want to see your ability to apply your transferable skills within a professional workplace environment. Therefore you should also consider the skills developed through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles and summer placements.

EMPLOYABILITY BROCHURE 5

The Career Development ServiceAt Leicester your Career Development Service offers more than just careers advice. Our aim is to ensure that you are equipped for a lifetime of career success through providing you with invaluable experiences that will enhance your CV and boost your skills.

The Career Development Service is made up of people with an incredible amount of experience from all sectors and sizes of organisations; we are able to provide you with insight into a wide range of careers.

In fact our team were delighted to be awarded by graduate employers for having the best strategy for preparing students for work after University and more recently for the ‘Best Preparation for Work Initiative’. Career Guidance appointments are for exploring what you want to do after university, assessing what career paths are open to you, how to gain experience, and for further researching areas of interest. (20 min appointment)

Application and Selection Coaching is for advice and support with your applications, whether you are looking to gain experience, apply for graduate jobs or for further study. You can bring along your CV, cover letters and applications, and get help and advice for upcoming interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests. You can also receive help with developing your LinkedIn profile (20 min appointment).

Mock Interviews are for interview practice

with an adviser for personalised coaching and advice. (45 min appointment)

Business Coaching is one to one guidance to help you explore options in business start-up and self-employment and help you get your idea started. (30 min appointment)

Room booking for Skype/ Video Interview - If you have a Skype or video interview coming up, we may be able to provide a room for you to conduct the interview in if you do not have a suitable space at home.

Cannot make it to campus? - All our appointments can be conducted remotely via telephone or Skype. See below for how to do this.

MyCareers is your personal online employability portal and the first place to go to hear about everything that is happening on campus.

At the University of Leicester we have a ‘no prep, no entry’ policy which ensures our students are able to make the most from their involvement with our services. This way you maximise the time, whether this is with a careers advisor in an appointment or meeting an employer at a careers fair, you already know what you want to take away from the experience. We provide guidance through preparation documents and our webpages to support you in doing this.


Exploring Your OptionsFrom the moment you begin your course at the University of Leicester you will be provided with a range of opportunities to explore career paths and develop your skills ready for the workplace.

In your first year you will be introduced to a range of criminal justice employers through an interactive programme called the Criminal Justice Insights. This programme will help you to identify a range of career paths relevant to your degree discipline and offer you an insight into different job roles within the sector. In previous years insights have included a visit to Leicestershire Police HQ where students met Chief Constable Simon Cole, observed a demonstration by the Tactical Dogs and Firearms Unit, visited the control centre and witnessed operational police training in action. This was followed by a series of talks from professionals in the Intelligence Unit and the Scenes of Crime Office. Other insights included a visit to Victim Support involving an insight into the experiences of victims of crime, visits to the Crown Courts including a Q&A with the resident judge and barrister as well as an insight into the ‘Crime and Time’ project delivered by Leicestershire Youth Offending Services which involved the use of a life-sized mock prison cell.

The National Crime Agency

Victim Support

Leicestershire NHS Partnership Trust

Tesco

The Home Office (Immigration)

Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)

Nottingham Law School

Catch 22

Northamptonshire Police

Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice

The Richmond Fellowship

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

As part of the undergraduate course and Criminal Justice Insights students will also come out with the Leicester Award at the end of their first year, as long as they complete their additional 10 hours of significant experience. The Leicester Award is a scheme that formally recognises the transferable skills students develop by undertaking, and reflecting upon, a wide range of extra-curricular experiences including paid work, engagement in social action, volunteering and participation in personal development programmes.

In the second semester we host our flagship ‘Routes into Criminal Justice’ event which brings together criminal justice employers and alumni from the Department of Criminology to discuss their job roles, their organisation and to highlight relevant work experience opportunities. The second half of the event involves a speed networking activity with alumni. This is a great opportunity for current students to meet graduates who have gone into a diverse range of careers and receive advice and guidance on how to plan for a career ahead of graduation. In previous years alumni have represented the following organisations:


The practical skills sessions embedded in the module help students to use social media to create a professional profile and market themselves, build their CV and mock assessment centres that are now used by most graduate schemes. By the end of the module students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the working environment in various criminal justice agencies.

• Analyse how theoretical aspects of criminology are translated into practice by criminal justice partners.

• Analyse how the actual practice of various criminal justice agencies is reflected in the wider criminological literature.

• Develop practical skills to assist in securing employment in criminal justice agencies.

The Festival of Careers

The Festival of Careers takes place early in the Autumn Term. While it is one of the biggest recruitment events in the Midlands, it is not just its size that makes it unmissable. Our pioneering ‘no prep no entry’ initiative, which was highly commended by the Association of Graduate Recruiters, means students are more prepared to have meaningful conversations with employers. As a result, 87% of employers rated their conversations with students as either good or excellent.

Bringing together a wide range of the UK’s top employers under one roof from different sectors, along with a host of advice clinics, interactive workshops and presentations, the Festival of Careers will help you to take your first step into the working world.

Working in Criminal Justice Module

The Working in Criminal Justice module in year three, provides students with the opportunity to learn about the various jobs in criminal justice agencies from practitioners working in the field, while also developing practical skills that will help them secure a job. Practitioners from a wide range of agencies and organisations have delivered sessions on the Working in Criminal Justice module, including:

• Detective Chief Superintendent and Metropolitan Police Service Borough Commander, Guy Ferguson;

• Frances Crook OBE from the Howard League for Penal Reform;

• Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, Simon Cole;

• Nick Hardwick CBE, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons;

• Peter Wright Governor at HMP Lincoln

I would definitely recommend the

FastTrack to other students as without the

experience I gained at Victim Support I would

not have secured my position within the police force. I have gained invaluable

experience and learnt about different skills such as adaptability,

time-management and communication. I would say to any student who

is not too sure, to just go for it, as you will

enjoy the experience and come out with great

skills.Chandni,

Criminology BA, Leicestershire Police8 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER

Gain Real-World Experience

VolunteeringWe recommend that all students undertake some form of work experience or volunteering while they are here at Leicester. It is particularly important for students interested in a career in criminal justice.

The Criminal Justice FastTrack award

Following the Criminal Justice Insights, students are encouraged to take part in the Criminal Justice FastTrack award to enhance their work experience and develop key transferable skills which are relevant to the industry. The FastTrack award is a recognised activity, which is included on the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR). The programme is made up of five key elements:

1. Introductory Session2. Workshop 1 – Making the Most of your Experience3. Workshop 2 – Presentation Skills and Public Speaking4. A minimum of 40hrs of work experience or volunteering related to criminal justice5. 5-10 minute reflective presentation

Students have the opportunity to achieve a bronze, silver or gold accreditation based on the number of hours of work experience they obtain.

Undergraduate InternshipsThe Career Development Service offers students an Undergraduate Internship Programme (UGP) providing paid internship opportunities for 4-12 weeks during the summer during their time at the university. Whether you have your career path mapped out or still working it out, it is a great way to gain that all important on-the-job experience employers want when recruiting. You can develop your skills but it could also open the door to a previously unconsidered career path, possibly even a permanent position after you graduate.

The Undergraduate Internship Programme gives our students access to a broad range of employees who are actively looking

to seek to hire students from Leicester, and with such a range of organisations and industries there is something to suit everyone.

Throughout the application process we provide information and guidance which you can access online via the Career Development Service website, by phone or in person by booking an appointment with a career advisor. We offer our students support in writing a CV, application, careers guidance and preparing for interviews and assessments.

Graduate Gateways

The Graduate Gateways programme offers paid graduate internships and permanent roles for recent graduates with organisations across the UK and inside the University of Leicester. The scheme aims to help you get your first step onto the career ladder, with a potential for securing permanent employment.Graduate roles will be offered predominantly with organisations across the East Midlands and can range from marketing and communications, education, research, environment, events management, media and creative arts, business consultancy and project management, engineering and IT. Typical employers include small and medium enterprise, charities, public sector organisations and University of Leicester departments. All roles are paid at least £1000 per month.

Placements Module

There is also an exciting opportunity for some students to undertake a criminal justice placement in their final year of study. A diverse range of placement opportunities will be available that will enable students to gain first-hand experience of working with professionals from a range of different organisations involved in criminal justice policy, research, education and reform. Students will be required to complete the placement over two semesters, in order to meet the needs of placement providers and to allow students the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the work environment. Students are also encouraged to link their dissertation topic to their placement so they can undertake a piece of research

Many organisations that you apply to after graduation

will ask what experience you

have for that role and volunteering

gives you the opportunity to

develop those skills and put them into

practice so you have both the academic

understanding and the real life

application as well.Hannawell,

Criminology BA, Victim Support

with real world application. Academic and career development staff will visit students at their placements to provide support and guidance, and to monitor their progress. Placement opportunities vary year on year but previous placements have been secured at HMP Leicester, Warning Zone, homeless charities (the Bridge and Action Homeless), the Media department at Leicestershire Police, New Dawn New Day, Citizens Advice Bureau and with the Leicester Centre for Hate Studies. Not only will students be able to add this experience to their CV alongside the range of practical skills obtained from their placement, but by the end of the module students will be able to:

• Critically evaluate the application of criminological theories to policy and practice in the workplace, and present findings to technical audiences.

• Demonstrate a sophisticated awareness of the impact of policy on criminal justice practices.

• Identify and discuss key challenges to delivering criminal justice.

• Produce a report which demonstrates an understanding of how key criminology concepts and theories apply to criminal justice and/or criminological work environments.


Graduate Employment OpportunitiesA Graduate Training Scheme is an excellent way to jump start your career. It can take many formats depending on the employer; but usually allow graduates to experience many aspects of both the role and the organisation as a whole. Formal graduate training schemes generally last between 1-3 years, depending on the specific employer programme. Schemes are usually a combination of “on-the-job” and possibly formal residential training programmes.

There are limited places available on any graduate training scheme, so employers set minimum requirements to qualify for entry. Usually these will be a set criteria for example “You will already possess a good academic record (300/320+ UCAS points) and be expecting a 2:1 degree or higher in any discipline.”

Benefits• You receive intense training, development and support

• It could be a fast track to more responsible roles within the organisation

• Contacts made throughout the organisation during your training period may assist you later

• Provides an excellent platform to start your career

• The possibility of access to a mentor or buddy may assist you in finding your feet in the initial few months of work

• Provides invaluable access to each department and the issues faced by each function

• The opportunity to study for a professional qualification may be funded by your employer

Times Top 100 Graduate Schemes:The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers is the definitive annual guide to Britain’s most sought-after and prestigious employers of graduates.

The Top 100 rankings of graduate employers have been compiled from interviews with 18,412 graduates who left UK university in 2015, who were asked the open-ended question “Which employer do you think offers the best opportunities for graduates?”.

Most employers in the Times Top 100 ranking do not specify a particular degree discipline as they are looking to develop your potential whilst on the scheme.

It is therefore important to think outside of the box when it comes to your career as you may find that a job in finance or retail rather than criminal justice offers you the best prospects. For example, in 2015 Aldi was paying one of the highest graduate starting salaries (£42,000) followed by the European Commission (£41,500). Careers you may not have previously thought about, but a career in an area that may provide you with better opportunities and challenges, as outlined by Sam Baker.

There are also Graduate Schemes within the Criminal Justice Sector run by the Police, G4S, National Offender Management (NOMS) and the Home Office. These are highlighted in the relevant sections below.


The PolicePolice officers serve to maintain law and order, protect members of the public and their property, prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and improve the quality of life for all citizens. All police constables must complete a two-year probationary period, after which there are a wide variety of career opportunities available, including drug squad, armed response and Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Many criminology graduates want to go on to join the police and there are two graduate schemes that act as a fast-track in to the police force at a more senior level. All criminology graduates are encouraged to apply for these schemes.

Neither of the graduate schemes (Police Now or Direct Entry Superintendent) require the Certificate in Knowledge of Policing.

Police NowPolice Now’s Graduate Leadership Development Programme is a 2 year programme designed to put high potential graduates on the frontline of policing.

The programme is designed to get the best from outstanding graduates providing an opportunity to transform challenged communities. It is focused on developing a new generation of inspiring leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds; leaders who will go on to make their mark on society. It is a unique foundation for a leadership career, both in policing and wider society.

Students wanting to apply for this scheme will need to obtain a 2:1 or above degree classification from a university in the United Kingdom (UK) or an equivalent from a non UK university. Applicants will also need to have attained at least 3 Bs at A Level (or their equivalent). In some cases they may accept BBC at A Level.

The skills of negotiation, decision-making, emotional intelligence, resilience and leadership are transferable to any profession. Many Police Now participants will go on to successful leadership careers in business and commerce, charities and the public sector, perhaps even politics or the law.

Salary

• The basic starting salary for police officers joining all participating forces is £22,668 per annum, but this will increase in line with your experience.

Many of their participants will remain in policing with the huge range of options available to those who take on the challenge of a policing career. Once trained with some experience police officers can specialise in a specific branch such as the (CID), the drug squad or the traffic police.

1 High Flyers (2015) The Graduate Market in 2015

Law EnforcementThere are a number of careers in the area of law enforcement that do not just involve working for the police as a sworn officer, which might not be for everyone.

During my time at the University of Leicester I was focussed on joining

the police. I felt that a Criminology degree would really help me,

along with joining West Midlands Police

as a Special Constable. However, with the

austerity measures and limited recruitment, I

had to think outside the box. I started looking for

jobs and soon realised that I liked the thought

of not knowing what was coming next or going to

happen in five minutes time for instance. It

didn’t take long for me to see that retail and logistics provided me with exactly that and I haven’t looked back

since starting a career in this field. I’m extremely

grateful to the University for providing me with a great foundation of

skills in which to build a successful business management career.

My advice would be to not limit yourself to

the possibilities, really understand what it is that you like about a

particular role, and see if it exists anywhere else and in a field which you

may not have previously considered. Who knows

where it might lead you.Sam,

Criminology BA, Operations Manager, DHL


Special Branch:Deals with terrorism. Its work covers investigations into firearms or explosives, which may be linked with threats to national security. This involves surveillance work and also keeping regular officers informed of any threats.

Firearms: Each Force has a number of officers in a specialist team who are trained and equipped to participate in operations that require firearms. Extremely thorough training is part of becoming a specialist firearms officer, while qualities of calmness and quick thinking are essential.

Dog Handler:They work with a specially trained dog to detect and prevent crime, protect property, search for drugs, explosives and human remains or find lost and missing people. Each dog handler is responsible for its care and control. You usually need experience of being a police officer before applying for this job.

Mounted Police:Police on horses are used for a variety of functions (e.g. crowd control). As units are small, there are long waiting lists and no experience of riding is necessary.

River Patrol:Forces with large rivers or coastal waters within their area will have a river police section.

Underwater Search Unit:Trained divers are needed in many forces to take part in underwater searches for suspected weapons, stolen property or missing people. There is fierce competition for places and candidates need to be extremely fit, as the work can be physically demanding.

Before starting my role with the Police, I volunteered with the Leicester Hate Crime

Project, run by Dr. Neil Chakraborti, now Head

of the Department of Criminology. This project

focused on victims of all forms of hate

crimes, and as part of my role I went out into the wider communities to engage and discuss difficult and sensitive issues around racism,

homophobia, and hate crimes more generally.

It certainly played a big part in carrying

me forward to the job I currently do where I now identify risks

of radicalisation and extremism, and work with individuals and

institutions to prevent these from happening. My advice would be to gain as much practical experience as you can

and talk to lecturers about how to go about

doing this. Get involved in research projects,

particularly ones that involve some form

of engagement with the wider community. Don’t limit yourself to

just doing your degree, as employers are

looking for people with something a bit extra.

Alessandro, Criminology BA, Prevent Officer for the Police


Police Forces also have a range of other career opportunities that might be of interest to criminology graduates, including civilian careers (e.g. command and dispatch officers, prosecution file preparation officers, human resources, custody assistant and crime analysts).

Crime Analyst: This role provides analytical support in respect of gathering intelligence, crime patterns, crime trends, hot spots and offender details to identify established or emerging crime series. Analytical support also helps to assist prevention initiatives, targeting, disruption and detection of crime. This role provides analytical support in respect of gathering intelligence, crime patterns, crime trends, hot spots and offender details to identify established or emerging crime series. Analytical support also helps to assist prevention initiatives, targeting, disruption and detection of crime.

Salary:• A junior analyst will earn around £16,000 to £20,000 a year, while a fully trained analyst could earn

between £20,000 and £35,000. Senior analysts or team leaders earn up to £50,000 a year.

Civilian Investigation Officers (CIOs):Civilian Investigation Officers also called Police Investigatory Officers (PIOs), are trained in the techniques of criminal prosecutions, in particular PACE and PEACE, and a range of investigation techniques. They work alongside serving officers building cases by gathering evidence and taking statements.

Salary:• Starting rate of £20,000 a year rising to £21-22,000 per annum.

Police Lawyer / Case Builder: The police require lawyers to represent them, provide guidance on policing, clarify points of law, but the police also require paralegal support in case management and the initial preparation of prosecutions. There might also be the opportunity to work on corporate governance, employment law, discrimination, personal injury, and neighbourhood safety matters. It is a diverse and challenging role, but highly competitive due to the limited number of places.

Direct Entry Superintendents and Inspector The Direct Entry Superintendent and Inspector scheme means that you do not need to be a police officer to apply. Instead the scheme opens up the police service to people who will bring new perspectives and diverse backgrounds to support the continuous development of policing. A superintendent is generally a senior manager responsible for setting strategy, standards and day-to-day operational policy across a single department or a range of policing responsibilities. An inspector is a middle manager, responsible for supervising the ranks of constable and sergeant.


The 18-month development programmes will equip successful applicants with the skills necessary to make the transition from civilian leader to police leader. The direct entry inspector scheme is a fantastic opportunity for those with a few years’ experience in the workplace, while the direct entry superintendent scheme is for exceptional individuals with proven leadership and management skills who want a challenging and rewarding career. The College of Policing run a number of ‘Meet the Police’ events around the country for people interested in Direct Entry Superintendent or Inspector programmes. The scheme is highly competitive and if applicants succeed at the Assessment Centre and are not offered a position within their chosen force, the College of Policing will, with their permission, make their details available to other forces with vacancies available.

Salary:• All programme members receive a starting salary of around £48,000 a year from day one of the

inspector programme and starting salary of around £64,000 a year from day one of the superintendent programme.

• Inspectors receive a basic starting salary of £46,788 to £50,751, which increases to £51,789 to £53,919 for a chief inspector

• New superintendents will receive a basic starting salary of £63,552 rising to £66,873 after 12 months. Under current arrangements your basic salary will increment annually to £75,066.

Note: Tattoos on the face, visible above a collar line or on the hands are not acceptable for any role within the Police.

College of Policing

The College of Policing is the professional body for policing, which has objectives including setting standards of professional practice and accrediting training and development programmes for future generations of police staff. The College of Policing not only work with police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners to provide details of policing vacancies, but they also have a number of diverse job opportunities available that might be of interest to criminology graduates.

British Transport Police

Another opportunity is presented by the British Transport Police, the national police for the railway providing a policing service to rail operators, their staff and passengers throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Every day they police journeys of over six million passengers and 400,000 tonnes of freight over 10,000 miles of track. While they mirror the regular police with a Criminal Investigation Department that investigates serious crime, much of their role is quite specialist, but some specific opportunities exist to become involved in unique roles, such as football intelligence work.

Salary:• Salaries vary between forces but the typical starting salary for police constables in England, Wales and

Northern Ireland is £23,317 and £25,962 after initial training.

National Crime Agency The National Crime Agency (NCA) is at the forefront of the fight against crime threats such as human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, drugs, firearms and cyber-crime. Not all NCA officers have powers of arrest, but whatever your role - from operations and investigations to intelligence, communications, facilities or corporate services – you have a vital part to play.

Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation

Forensic accountancy is the investigatory side to accountancy. Often disputes arise where the measure of loss requires an expert accountant. Disputes range within areas such as:

• Fraud Investigation

• Professional Negligence

• Personal and Medical Injury

• Asset Tracing

• Matrimonial

• Dispute Resolution

• Share Valuation

• Expert Witness.

Forensic accountants work closely with their instructing party, usually the legal profession, insurers and regulatory and prosecuting bodies, to prepare and deliver a report covering detailed requirements for the Court. Depending on the instruction, the report can be used as advice for the instructing party or as expert evidence in a Court of Law. Avenues into such jobs are extensive, but students might want to consider the Big Four companies (Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PWC).

Salary:• Annual starting salaries for graduate trainees typically range from £20,000 to £32,000.

Benefits and Welfare OfficerFraud officer jobs involve working within the housing, revenues and benefits and social care sectors of local councils, regulatory bodies and the police. You will be working to prevent fraud in the local community, including cases of benefit fraud, and assist in fraud investigations. There are no specific academic qualifications required for fraud officer jobs however a good academic background with strong English and maths skills will be beneficial in starting as a junior fraud officer. Progression for more senior officer roles and movement to a fraud investigator requires candidates to be up to date in the latest legislation, and knowledge of crime and the criminal justice system and its processes is undoubtedly an advantage.

Salary:• Starting salaries for welfare officers, housing assistants or customer service positions typically range

from around £15,000 to £21,000.

• Typical salaries range from £21,000 to £29,000, depending on the type of organisation, qualifications and experience

Adam, Criminology BA, CEOP Investigator- National Crime Agency

After graduating Adam joined the National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2013 and is now an investigator within the CEOP Command of the NCA. The remit of CEOP Command is specifically the national response to the threat of Child

Sexual Exploitation and abuse (CSEA). Throughout his time at NCA-CEOP he has worked on a number of cases, including Operation NOTARISE which made

national press in July 2014 following the arrest of 660 suspects.

Civil Nuclear Police Authority and Constabulary The Civil Nuclear Police Authority oversees the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) and must ensure that their policing meets the need of the nuclear operating companies. The CNC is the armed police force in charge of protecting civil nuclear sites and nuclear materials in England, Scotland and Wales. They are responsible for the armed protection of civil nuclear facilities and materials whether they are on site or in transit, and counter-terrorism is a major part of their policing remit.

Applicants receive a 16 week foundation training course; unique firearms training and after 24 months you can apply to join one of their specialist teams such as firearms instructor, dog handler or escort team.

Salary:• Entry point salary £23,025 rising to £25,700 after training.

Ministry of Defence Police The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) is a national police force that undertakes unique and specialised policing, with units deployed across the UK at Defence and other National Infrastructure sites. All officers joining the Ministry of Defence Police must successfully qualify as an Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO). There are also a number of specialist units including a marine unit, CID, operational support unit, special escort groups, dogs section and the tactical and central support unit. New recruits will be given an opportunity during their initial training to express any references for working in armed operational specialist units. The MDP will fully train you to the nationally recognised Diploma in Policing qualification (Certificate in Policing for officers in Scotland) during your probationary period.

Salary:• Newly recruited PCs, receive a minimum starting pay of £21,110, which increases annually and is

linked to performance. In six years time you could be earning circa £35,000.


Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO) Scenes of crime officers (SOCOs) also known as Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) locate, record and recover evidence from crime scenes and work alongside uniformed and plain clothed police officers during the investigation of a crime. Entry requirements vary between police forces, although generally applicants will need at least five GCSEs or the equivalent, preferably including English, maths and a science subject and some employers may prefer A-levels or equivalent, including a science like chemistry or biology.

Trading StandardsLocal authority trading standards officers (TSO) are responsible for ensuring companies and an individual’s intellectual property is protected, and protect consumers and businesses by promoting a safe and fair trading environment. They take action against people who manufacture and supply counterfeit property and ensure companies/businesses follow consumer legislation. With a degree in any subject you could apply for a position as a graduate trainee TSO.

Salary:• Starting salaries for trainee TSOs are between £19,000 and £23,000 a year. When qualified, this can

increase to between £24,000 and £34,000.

• Senior TSOs and principal TSOs can earn from £34,000 to £50,000 a year or more.

• In the private sector, senior managers in charge of complex projects can earn up to around £90,000.

Neighbourhood Wardens Neighbourhood wardens are out on the streets, reducing anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime helping to make communities feel safer.

Salary:• Salaries range from around £17,000 to £24,000 a year, while senior wardens and community warden

coordinators can earn between £26,000 and £30,000.


MI5, MI6 and GCHQThe Security Service (MI5): protects national security, safeguards the economic well-being of the UK and supports law enforcement agencies in the prevention of serious crime. There are three graduate schemes:

• Intelligence officer development programme (IODP)

• Intelligence and data analyst development programme (I&DADP)

• Technology graduate development programme (TGDP)

The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS/MI6): Responsible for obtaining secret information and conducting operations in support of the UK’s foreign policy objectives. It recruits graduates into areas such as intelligence, business support, science and technology and corporate services.

Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ):

Responsible for detecting and preventing serious crime, international terrorism and drug trafficking. It runs a fast stream programme for future leaders and also revisits technical graduates in areas such as cyber security.

Salary:• Starting salaries for the three agencies, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), Security

Service (MI5) and Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), are in the region of £25,500 plus benefits.

• There are opportunities to progress to higher grades, with the base-salary levels for the next two grades around £31,000 and then £39,000 after five to ten years’ service. For all grades there are incremental annual increases in pay, plus bonus payment opportunities.

Security ServicesThere has been a rapid growth in the security industry over recent years, which has meant an increase in the number of jobs available in this sector, particularly for graduates.


G4S G4S is the world’s leading international security solutions group with operations in more than 100 countries. They provide a number of security services including court escorts, prisons and secure training centres, electronic monitoring, police support, fraud and insurance claims investigation, mobile patrol service, manned guarding service and event security (e.g. the Olympics).

The management graduate trainee programme is a mentored two year programme that will offer applicants the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience of the business, its functions and operations, working across a variety of areas whilst receiving ongoing management development.

Applicants will need a 2:1 degree (or predicted 2.1 degree), be prepared to move anywhere in the UK

and to be mobile, and to preferably hold a current driving licence.

Salary:• Starting salary is about £25,000 but increases with experience and the role undertaken.

HMRCHMRC’s Tax Specialist Programme (TSP) leads to work as a generalist tax professional or specialist in technical or investigative work.

The programme is structured to identify and develop your potential, ensuring you are ready to take up a senior tax position when you complete the programme, which takes around 4 years.

Along the way, as you are gaining experience and confidence through early responsibility, supported by mentoring, advice and supervision to gain tax professional qualifications, you will enjoy a competitive salary. At the end of the 4-year programme, you can specialise and move around HMRC to build on your experience.

You will learn to deal with complex tax cases, confidently negotiate with customers and their

professional advisors and to lead and influence teams.

Salary:• The starting salaries for recruits joining the HMRC Tax Professional Graduate Programme is £27,045

nationally and £29,256 in London.

• Upon successful completion of the intensive four-year training programme, you can expect to move into a senior tax professional post. The pay band at this level starts at £47,218 nationally, £53,196 in London.

Customs Officer:Customs Officers also known as detection officers prevent prohibited items from entering or leaving the country and play an important role in controlling imported and exported goods. They mostly work in airports and seaports collecting customs duties, preventing smuggling and illegal trade.

Salary:• Assistant officer salaries start at £15,720 a year. Customs officers earn between £20,175 and

£25,710 a year, while higher officer grades earn between £25,248 and £38,861 a year.


Immigration Officer: They check and monitor people who are arriving and leaving the country and work at entry points into the UK (e.g. Dover, Gatwick and Heathrow).

Salary:• Immigration officers can earn between £21,505 to £26,079 a year.

• Operational managers could earn up to £30,000 a year.

Border Force Officer:Protect UK border entry points like ports and airports by intercepting people trying to enter the county with false documents, and investigating customs fraud, illegal importation of goods and people trafficking.

Salary:• Starting salaries for officers are around £22,000 a year, rising to £26,500 with experience.

Other Criminal Justice Related Graduate Schemes and Jobs

NOMS Graduate Scheme The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) graduate programme accepts applications every year from graduates looking for a position in HM Prison Service. If you are accepted on to the programme, you will start by working towards being a prison officer and progress to a managerial post within 3 years. Once you have become an operational manager at governor-grade you can apply for a managerial post then senior manager accreditation before going on to govern your own prison, or transfer into a different senior management role within NOMS or take up policy roles in the Ministry of Justice and Civil Service.

You will need to:• Work effectively with people from all walks of life

• Stay calm under intense pressure

• Meet targets

• Manage budgets

You will have to make sure hundreds of people get their meals, can access education and are kept safe.

Salary:• Starting salaries for graduates on the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Graduate

Programme (England and Wales only) range from £26,450 to £28,750 for the duration of the programme, plus a location allowance for those based in London. Once qualified, salaries rise to around £32,000 (on the operational manager pay scale).


Civil Service Fast Stream The Civil Service Fast Stream prepares high-flying graduates for senior management posts in the Civil Service. It is open to graduates from all degree disciplines and there are opportunities to specialise in a wide variety of areas. Degree requirements vary. Graduates can join one of the following generalist streams::

• Central departments

• Diplomatic service

• Houses of Parliament

• Science and engineering

Salary:• Starting salaries usually range between £25,000 and £27,000.

• Salary after promotion (typically four to five years after entry but dependent entirely on performance): in excess of £45,000.

FrontlineFrontline’s graduate programme is a unique opportunity for high-achieving university leavers and career changers to join one of Britain’s toughest and most rewarding professions.

The two-year programme offers graduates an exciting new route into a challenging career in children’s social work. Graduates will benefit from intensive practical and academic training tailored to their needs as one of a new generation of children’s social workers.

Salary:• In Year 1 you will receive a bursary equivalent to a salary of around £19,000 (plus London weighting)

• In Year 2 you will receive a local authority salary likely to be around £22,000 per annum

Probation Services OfficerEach year, probation officers supervise around 225,000 offenders in the community on both community sentences given by the courts and post custody licences after prison. They make assessments, such as writing pre-sentence reports in order to advise courts, manage and enforce community orders, and work with prisoners during and after sentencing. Probation officers interact with offenders, victims, police and prison colleagues on a regular basis. They also work closely with local authorities, housing departments and a range of independent and voluntary sector partners. The role is that of law enforcement officer, rather than social worker and much probation work involves making evidence-based assessments about the risks that individuals present.

In the first 12 months in the job you will need to complete the Level 3 Diploma in Probation Practice, which is a work based qualification that will enable you to qualify as a PSO. The directory of National Probation Service and community rehabilitation companies can be found on the gov.uk website.

Salary:• Entrants to the profession start as probation service officers (PSOs). The salary range for PSOs is

£22,039 to £27,373 on the NPS Pay Band 3.

• Salaries for qualified probation officers range from £29,038 to £36,084 (Band 4).

• Senior probation officers with relevant skills, experience and qualifications can earn between £35,024 and £39,818 (Band 5).


Youth Offending Service OfficerMuch like probation officers, youth offending team work is varied, and involves working with young people (aged under 18) who have been involved in crime. Like probation officers they make assessments, such as writing pre-sentence reports in order to advise courts, manage and enforce community orders, and work with prisoners during and after sentencing. They also interact with offenders, victims, police and prison colleagues on a regular basis. They work closely with local authorities, housing departments and a range of independent and voluntary sector partners. However, where the role varies somewhat is that youth offending team officers tend to be involved in more traditional forms of social work than their probation colleagues. While they make risk assessments about the danger young offenders present, they tend to work for local authorities and hold social work based postgraduate qualifications.

Salary:• Youth support workers (a title incorporating those who are not fully qualified professional youth

workers) can expect a salary range of between £14,283 to £19,833.

• Salaries for local authority youth service managers vary according to the size of the authority and responsibility of the post but are usually in excess of £35,000.

These pay levels apply to youth workers employed across all settings, not just those employed by local authorities.

Prison Officer/ GovernorPrison officers and prison governors are responsible for managing the safe and effective operation of prisons in both the public and private sectors. Prison officers tend to be hands on staff who will usually wear uniform and work on the landings with prisoners, managing the daily running of the prison or working on specialist rehabilitation programmes. In contrast governors (at the most senior level) are employed as prison managers who have overall responsibility for the management of a team that includes prison officers, duty governors and other staff, and ensure that prisons operate within the requirements of the Prison Service and also oversee the development and rehabilitation of prisoners – before and after trials, and following conviction. The NOMS graduate scheme is the fast track to becoming a prison governor, but you can also work your way up from a prison officer job.

Salary:• The national starting salary in England and Wales is £20,545 (Band 3) for a 37-hour week, which

includes a 17% unsocial hours payment. It is possible to commit to working an additional four hours per week at an enhanced rate of pay, which would increase the starting salary to £22,823. It may also be possible to volunteer to work further additional hours at a premium rate.

Independent Police Complaints CommissionThe Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigate the most serious complaints, allegations of misconduct and deaths or cases of serious injury caused by the police or other agencies. They also appeal against the way that police have recorded, investigated or resolved complaints against themselves. The IPCC have offices around the country and offer a variety of jobs, including operation managers and team leaders, investigator posts, casework manager and other positions in their Investigations Support Unit. Assessment centres are often used as part of the recruitment process and are highly competitive.

Salary:• Varies depending on the post and experience but case work managers earn approximately £28,000.


Drug and Alcohol Treatment WorkerAs a drug and alcohol worker (also known as a substance misuse worker), you would help people tackle and recover from their dependence on illegal, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, alcohol or solvents. Your role would be to help clients access services such as counselling, healthcare and education, but varies widely depending on the nature of the job and organisation. Drug and alcohol workers are employed by a number of government and non-government agencies. Jobs exist in the national probation service, in the prison service, in community rehabilitation companies and in public and private drug treatment providers. Work can involve running a drop-in centre, facilitating group work, emotional support, outreach work, counselling and rehabilitation. Drug and alcohol workers come from a variety of different backgrounds, such as nursing, criminal justice, social care, youth work, education, employment or counselling, and people with a personal experience of addiction or dependency can also apply for this type of work as applications are usually welcome from people who have been through treatment successfully. Most employers ask for six months and two years’ relevant experience, whether paid or unpaid, and the ability to work with vulnerable people. Employers may also ask for professional qualifications in social work, nursing or counselling depending on the role.

Salary:• Employment officers, outreach and drop-in centre workers earn between £20,000 and £25,000 a year,

with senior practitioners earning up to £28,000.

• Team leaders and local service managers can earn £35,000 or more.

• Unqualified but experienced workers can earn around £17,000 to £19,000 a year.

Her Majesty’s InspectorateHer Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC): is independent of the government and police, and assesses police forces and policing from neighbourhood teams to serious crime and the fight against terrorism. The HMIC not only investigate the police forces in England and Wales together with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and British Transport Police but they also inspect other law enforcement agencies, including the National Crime Agency and HM Revenue and Customs. They monitor and report on forces and policing activity with the aim of encouraging improvement and making everyone safer. The HMIC write on topics ranging from police integrity and corruption, police efficiency and effectiveness, domestic abuse, and the use of stop-and-search powers.

HM Inspectorate of Probation: is independent but funded by the Ministry of Justice and report directly to the Secretary of State. They report on the effectiveness of work with adults and children who have offended and inspect the quality and impact of services provided, and make recommendations designed to improve the effectiveness of services. This is aimed at reducing reoffending, protecting the public, and improving the wellbeing of children at risk of reoffending.


HM Inspectorate of Prisons: is independent and reports on conditions for and treatment of those in prison, young offender institutions, secure training centres, immigration detention facilities, police and court custody suites, customs custody facilities and military detention. The Chief Inspector has six inspection teams working to a Deputy Chief Inspector and reports directly to the Justice Secretary and Ministers on the treatment of prisoners, conditions in prisons, young offender institutions and court custody. All prison inspections also involve HM Inspectorate of Probation to review offender management in joint arrangements in custody.

Salary:• Chief Inspector salaries for the above roles are usually in excess of £100,000 per annum.

Office of the Ombudsman and Ombudsman ServicesThe ombudsman examine complaints in a fair and impartial manner from people who feel they have been unfairly treated by certain public bodies, including local authorities, government departments, as well as registered organisations and certain industries (e.g. energy, copyright, consumer and finances). They investigate complaints and provide an independent, impartial and cost effective means of resolving disputes outside the courts.

Salary:• Varies depending on the post and experience but the starting salary for case handlers is around

£22,000.

Charitable Organisations

There are a number of charitable organisations that offer great employment opportunities and have a criminal justice focus. These include:

Addaction: Is a charity specialising in drug, alcohol and mental health treatment. They offer a wide range of practices and thus jobs ranging from counselling services to technical support.

Adfam: Is a national organisation working to improve support for families affected by drug and alcohol use.


Amnesty International:Is a worldwide human rights organisation that investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilises the public, and helps transform societies to create a safer, more just world.

Liberty and the Civil Liberties Trust:The Civil Liberties Trust works in parallel with to promote human rights and civil liberties through research, policy work, litigation, education and advice.

NACRO: Is a champion of social justice, which focuses on crime prevention and crime reduction by positively changing lives, strengthening communities, enhancing social inclusion and preventing offending behaviour.

Prison Reform Trust:Is an independent UK charity working to create a just, humane and effective penal system, by inquiring into the workings of the system; informing prisoners, staff and the wider public; and by influencing Parliament and government officials towards reform.

Reprieve:Is a small organisation that defends human rights. They provide free legal and investigative support to some of the world’s most vulnerable people: British, European and other nationals facing execution, and those victimised by states’ abusive counter-terror policies.

Save the Children:Is a charity with offices throughout the UK that works in more than 120 countries. They save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help children fulfill their potential and offer jobs in a number of different areas including policy and advocacy, marketing and fundraising, participation in their global programmes and humanitarian work..

The Howard League for Penal Reform:Is the oldest penal reform charity in the UK working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.

UNICEF:Is a charity that ensures more of the world’s children are fed, vaccinated, educated and protected.

Victim Support:Is a charity for people affected by crime and traumatic events in England and Wales that helps to enable people to cope and recover from the effects of crime. Employment opportunities range frontline offices working directly with victims to supporting roles that include policy and research, bid writing, communications and fundraising.


Government ResearcherIn studying for a degree in criminology, students will have developed core skills in research that are of use in both government and non-government organisations. Researchers and research managers will be involved in a range of diverse crime-related projects including developing ideas to overcome barriers to delivering research projects. The skills needed to be an excellent researcher or research manager are generic and transferable, and there are plenty of opportunities to use knowledge of research methodologies to develop a rewarding career within non-government organisations, the Voluntary Sector (see below) or the Home Office. Private research consultancies, such as Matrix offer opportunities for skilled researchers, however, often the best step towards a role as a researcher is voluntary experience coupled with specialist training as part of a research focused postgraduate qualification. An alternative route is to gain experience as a researcher in the university sector, although again the best steps toward this end are normally taking a Masters qualification or working towards a PhD. For opportunities for further study at Leicester please visit the website or see below for opportunities for further study in criminology; for research roles in the Home Office see www.homeoffice.gov.uk.

Salary:• Starting salaries for graduates (entry-level research officers) range from £25,000 to £27,000. Those entering

with a postgraduate qualification may begin on a higher starting salary.

There are also a number of research consultancy organisations that offer good employment opportunities and have a focus on society, crime or criminal justice. For example:

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen): Has undertaken research on behalf of government and charities to find out what people really think about important social issues, including online grooming, victims of crime and substance use services.

TNS BMRB: Undertakes research that is used to underpin decision-making by policy makers across national and local Government and provides knowledge that helps the private and third sectors plan and care for society. They are responsible for the Crime Survey for England and Wales and the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey.

Research Jobs

There a wide range of research jobs available to Criminology graduates not only in some of the charitable organisations listed above, but also for think-tanks, research councils (ESRC, Leverhulme Trust, AHRC and the British Academy), academia and government.

I studied my BA in Criminology at Leicester and gained so much from my experience that I decided to continue my studies by enrolling on the

MSc in Applied Criminology course. Not only did I want to enhance my criminological knowledge, but also learn more about the link between

academic study and practice by undertaking the work placement. The course certainly met my expectations and I was able to use this further insight and

skills immediately to secure a position as a Trainee Probation Officer. Nick, MSc in Applied Criminology Graduate,

part-time probation officer and part-time PhD student

2 Think tanks are public policy research institutes that engage in research and advocacy. They play a key role in making and influencing global, regional and national policy.


Further Study

Postgraduate study can better qualify you for a graduate job and there a wide range of courses available at the University of Leicester as well as at other institutions. The decision to partake in postgraduate study should be contingent on the career you want to pursue, as it is not essential for some occupations. However, a postgraduate qualification can sometimes give you the edge over other applicants.

There are two types of postgraduate study:

Masters degrees (MA, MSc): Can be in any subject area, campus based taught programmes or distance learning programmes. Most Masters degrees are usually a year long (if taken full-time) or two years for part-time study. There are also research Masters degrees (e.g. MRes, MPhil) that are likely to last two years full-time. A postgraduate diploma offers a Masters-level specialism without the dissertation and is likely to last nine months full-time.

Doctoral degrees (PhD, DPhil): Can be in any subject area and are likely to be three years full-time, although may take longer.

For some careers a Masters degree is essential particularly if you want to become a teacher, academic, researcher or social worker.

Teaching: If you would like a career in teaching then a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is essential. Students from all disciplines can take the PGCE, which provides practical classroom experience and it often leads straight into a job. There is also a Teachfirst leadership development programme for exceptional graduates. Teachfirst is a 2 year leadership development programme where you undertake a PGCE and a NQT year with placements in challenging schools. To apply you need a 2:1 or above and grade C in GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent). A grade C in one science GCSE is also required for primary or Early Years teaching eligibility.


Social Work: If students were interested in becoming a social worker they would need to undertake a postgraduate degree in social work. Most courses last two years (full-time) after which time students will be eligible to register with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and practice as a qualified social worker.

Many postgraduate degrees are also conversion degrees that allow you to enter into a different career.

Law: To go on to become a solicitor or a barrister graduates would need to undertake the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), followed by a the Legal Practice Course (LPC) to be a solicitor or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) to become a barrister.

Psychology: If for students who did not study an accredited undergraduate psychology degree the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (GDP) gives students access to a professional British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited psychology course that enables them to study the core Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

Medicine: There is a four-year fast-track postgraduate course that allows students to practice medicine competently and professionally. Some courses will accept graduates from any discipline, while others will only accept science graduates. Most courses require a 2:1 or above. Students will also need to have completed relevant work experience to gain entry onto these courses and often need to undertake the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) as part of the entry requirements.

There are four campus based taught courses in Criminology:

MSc Criminology: This course examines processes of criminalisation, offending and victimisation in order to support students to develop a sophisticated understanding of contemporary issues and debates in criminology and victimology. Students will study different approaches to punishment and rehabilitation and will develop skills in critiquing criminal justice policy and practice.

Postgraduate Courses in Criminology at the University of Leicester:


MSc Criminology in Practice: This course combines academic criminological study with a core spine of employability modules. In addition to examining issues such as competing explanations of the causes of crime and the effects of criminalisation, students will undertake a work placement and practice-based research project in a criminal justice or related setting. Students will also develop an understanding of contemporary practice and challenges in the criminal justice sector through receiving practitioner and academic input and then conducting an independent investigation.

MSc Crime, Justice and Psychology: This course examines the relationship between crime, mental health and the law, with an emphasis on understanding the relationship between mental disorder and offending. Students will also study the role of psychology in all aspects of the criminal justice system, from investigation and profiling through to the courtroom and prisons.

MSc Terrorism, Security and Policing: This course provides students with a detailed theoretical and applied understanding of the key issues and challenges surrounding security, policing and terrorism post-9/11 (and 7/7) and in the face of new and different threats from terrorist groups such as ISIS and Boko Haram.

There is one distance learning course in Criminology.

MSc in Security and Risk Management: This course provides you with a thorough knowledge and understanding of security and crime risk analysis and management, and assists you in developing your skills and professional competence. The professionalisation of the private security industry has meant that many now see a Masters degree as essential to career progression in this field.

University of Leicester graduates receive discounts on the fees for postgraduate course (look on the University of Leicester website for details).

Research Degrees (MPhil and PhD): The PhD or MPhil programme offers you the opportunity to grasp a higher academic challenge while conducting research at an advanced level. Both programmes can either be studied part-time or full time. There is also a distance learning PhD, which is ideal for those who are based away from Leicester or who want to combine working for a research degree with their professional and personal commitments.

I graduated from the Department of Criminology at the University of Leicester with an MSc in Police Leadership and Management, which I studied via distance learning. I was delighted to achieve a distinction

thanks to the excellent support I received from my distance learning tutors and supervisors. I am sure this was a huge advantage in securing a PhD

studentship in the same year back in the Criminology department, where I am continuing to study police leadership, combined with teaching as a

Graduate Teaching Assistant on the Criminology BA. I have really enjoyed the transition into a second career in academia, following a career in

policing. I don’t believe I could have done this anywhere else in a dedicated Criminology department with friendlier or more supportive colleagues.

Keith, Police Leadership and Management MSc Currently a PhD student and Graduate Teaching Assistant in Criminology.


I joined the Criminology Department in 2010 when I began my Undergraduate

degree. I had always envisioned myself going to university but I never

considered the possibility of continuing my academic career after my BA. To

be honest, I don’t think I ever thought I would be capable of completing a

Masters degree. However, due to the huge amount of encouragement and support provided by all the lecturers

as well as their obvious passion for the subject and their teaching, I found that

my confidence and grades continued to increase and I decided to apply for

a Master course in my second year. The Criminology Department at Leicester

offer a relatively uncommon and coveted ‘Applied’ programme which

involves a work placement module as part of course. The placement module

was the aspect of the course I was particularly interested in and I managed to secure a placement with the Leicester

Hate Crime Project in which I worked alongside the Lead Researcher. My time involved with this prestigious

research project influenced my decision to then apply for a PhD position with the department so I could embark on my own research thesis. The support

I received from staff to take this significant next step in my academic

career was unparalleled and was again, another reason I chose to stay on at

Leicester. The department have world class academic staff who genuinely care about the success of their students and

will go above and beyond to provide quality teaching and guidance for the

entirety of the degree process.Amy, Criminology BA,

Applied Criminology MSc and now a graduate teaching assistant and PhD student in the department of criminology.

Since graduating in July 2015 with a First Class Honours Alice has embarked

on the Graduate Diploma in Law course at Nottingham Law School. The course aims to condense the traditional three year LLB in to one year, and allows for non-law graduates to pursue a career

in law. Whilst challenging, Alice recently graduated with a First Class Honours

and was also awarded the Kennedy Scholarship and the Hardwicke Entrance Scholarship by the Masters of the Bench at Lincoln’s Inn. She will become a BPTC

student at Lincoln’s Inn in September 2016, which is the first part of

vocational training designed to provide experience that is specific to the work

of a junior barrister. After a year as a BPTC student another year will be spent

undertaking a pupillage, which is the final stage of training to be a barrister. Alice’s long term career ambition is to

qualify and practice as a Barrister. Alice Criminology BA


Useful Sources and Websites

• University of Leicester Career Development Service offers careers advice, events, employment opportunities and practical skills.

• Clinks supports, represents and campaigns for the voluntary sector working with offenders and regularly advertise jobs and volunteering opportunities.

• Do-it is one of the UK’s national volunteering database and offers an array of volunteering opportunities as well as jobs.

• Milkround is one of the UK’s most widely used student and graduate job websites that allows you to search and apply for the latest graduate jobs, schemes and internships from top UK employers.

• No Offence encourages and facilitates the collaboration of organisations from the voluntary, public and private sectors to address the issue of reducing crime and reoffending, and regularly advertise jobs and volunteering opportunities.

• Prospects for graduate jobs, postgraduate study, advice about work experience, internship opportunities and graduate careers.

• Rate My Placement is one of the leading websites for undergraduate work experience.

• The Red Snapper Group (RSG) is a market leading staffing services provider, media and events business and education services provider to the law enforcement, cyber security, offender supervision and regulatory services work communities.

• Times Top 100 is the definitive guide to graduate recruiters year on year.


For more information

Department of Criminology University of Leicester,154 Upper New Walk, Leicester, LE1 7QA, UK

t: +44 (0) 116 252 2458/3946e: [email protected]: www.le.ac.uk/criminology

© University of Leicester

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