School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice was founded in 1992 and is internationally-recognised for its study of crime, its causes, and the societal and personal impact it has. We're the largest criminology department in the UK and we have interdisciplinary expertise in criminological analysis, applied psychology, policing, community justice, penology, risk, security and international and comparative criminal justice.
Our courses and research range from criminology and criminal justice, to counter fraud, forensics, criminal psychology and cybercrime.
Our mission
- To enhance and develop knowledge and understanding in the field of criminal justice and criminological studies
- To further the development of human rights, equal opportunities, integrity and fair treatment within criminal justice and related areas
- To further the development of democratic governance and accountabilities within criminal justice and related agencies
- To promote the interests of disadvantaged communities and groups discriminated against, by and within, criminal justice and related areas
- To promote the development of professionalism and professionalisation within criminal justice and related agencies
Teaching
We provide high quality teaching programmes and facilities, with our well-qualified teaching staff who all have, or are working towards, Fellowship of AdvanceHE.
We have secured strategic investment for the piloting and evaluation of technology enhanced active learning within our undergraduate campus courses.
We're also the main provider of Trainee Probation Officer education in England and Wales, and in 2019 we secured contracts to deliver Police Constable Degree Apprenticeships and degree holder conversion programmes for Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey police (with consortium partners).
We use the latest technologies to deliver eLearning via dedicated tablets combined with Masterclass sessions, and many of our teaching staff are leading research academics in their fields.
We also work closely with the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature in the delivery of combined honours courses with Criminology, and with Portsmouth Law School.
Explore the full range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees we offer. You can also read about our short courses and CPD programmes in criminal justice studies, or find postgraduate research opportunities on our Criminology postgraduate research degrees page.
Our facilities
The school invests in and engages with the latest technology to support our teaching and learning.
We're home to facilities including:
- The Forensic Innovation Centre
- Hydra Immersive Learning Suite
- Forensic Interviewing Suite
- Technology Enhanced Active Learning
Police Education Team
Our Police Education Team (PET) delivers high-quality contextualised teaching and learning to new police officers at levels 4-6, as part of a Police Education Consortium with other higher education institutions.
Research
We have a strong international reputation for research and innovation, which feeds into our teaching and makes a positive impact on society.
Research groups
Explore the work we're doing across our eight groups in Criminology research
Collaboration of Forensic Interviewing Group
The Collaboration examines the best ways to elicit reliable and fulsome information from interviewees in a trauma-informed way and to ensure informed decision-making.
Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Group
We're researching how crime takes place using technology, such as cyber fraud, hacking, online abuse, and its impact on individuals and society.
Economic Crime Research Group
We're researching the scale, impact and cost of economic crimes — such as fraud, corruption and money laundering.
Forensic Science Group
The forensic science research group at the University of Portsmouth is using science to identify, reconstruct and inform how crime is investigated.
Missing Persons Group
We're researching patterns of behaviour that may precede a person going missing and working to improve how cases are handled.
Policing Research Group
We're working in collaboration with local, national and international police organisations to research the social, economic and political context in which policing operates.
Probation, Prison and Penology Group
The University of Portsmouth is working to better understand the role of punishment & how this links with processes of justice and rehabilitation to promote change.
Victimology and Ecological Justice Group
We're researching victims and victimisation, inequality, domestic and online abuse, ecological justice, wildlife crime and climate change.
Our staff
Explore our faculty
Explore the other schools and departments that make up our Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature
Explore the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature, and find out more about the teaching and research activities happening now within the school.
School of Education, Languages and Linguistics
Explore the School of Education, Languages and Linguistics, and learn more about the teaching and research activities that take place within the school.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Explore more about the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, teaching and research activities taking place across the faculty's four schools and institutes.
