Criminology: Where Do They Go? A Thematic Analysis of Final Year Criminology Students Pursuing Career Development or Career Change

A key objective of this project is to find ways of ensuring that students are on the right pathway and make the right qualification choices at the outset. This will help to improve the learning experience of students and support retention and progression. The focus of the research is on students who are studying a Level 3 criminology module DD311 Crime, Harm and State. The methodological approach involves the analysis of a mixture of quantitative data (including an online survey) and qualitative data (including interviews).  

The central research questions underpinning this research are: (1) Why do our students choose to study criminology? (2) What are the major influencing factors – for example, do various crime-related media have a significant impact on the decision to study criminology (the so-called ‘CSI effect’)? (3) Do particular career or employment goals underpin the decision to study criminology and if so (4) How far do the qualifications offered at The Open University help to facilitate these goals?  

There is a growing body of literature examining the reasons for the growing popularity of criminology. Studies have explored the influence of mainstream media on students’ perceptions of criminology and suggests that many students enter criminology qualifications with false expectations about what they will actually study and, given that many criminology programmes are based on theory and research, rather than being skills based, this consequently leads to a higher drop-out rate (Shirlaw & Huitson (2008), Slak et al (2020). Similarly, the criminology qualifications offered at The Open University do not directly facilitate practical qualifications for entry into work in certain sectors of the criminal justice system.  One of the defining principles of the QAA (2019) Subject Benchmark Statement in Criminology, is to “enable students to understand what the subject entails and to choose a course appropriate for their personal career plans” (QAA, 2019 Section 2.1:7).  

The project will benefit The Open University by providing an evidence base that could enhance employability and career progression through the development of a bespoke pre-study or pre-registration Open Learn type course that educates students better on what criminology, forensic psychology, law, and other joint qualifications can realistically offer them in terms of making more informed career choices. The project will therefore be of value to: (a) individual students in helping them to improve their learning experience and to achieve their study goals (b) the Faculty in planning future criminology modules (c) the School and University to inform policy and (d) the wider HE community given the growing popularity of criminology degrees. 

References: 

Quality Assurance Agency (2019) Subject Benchmark Statement Criminology, 3rd edition. 

Shirlaw, M., and Huitson, N. (2008) ‘The Mainstream Media’s Influence on Students’ Perceptions of the Study of Criminology’, Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal 41:2, pp. 73-81. 

Slak, B., Erculj, V.I., Areh, I., and Dobovsek, B. (2020) ‘Do Fictional Forensic and Criminal Investigation Television Shows Influence Student’ Enrolment Decisions?’, Journal of Criminal Justice Education 311, pp. 23-42.