How To Get Work Experience for Criminology as a Student

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to step into the world of criminology, beyond what you see in documentaries or TV dramas? If you’re thinking about studying criminology at university, you’re in good company. It’s one of the fastest-growing subjects in higher education, attracting thousands of applicants every year.

But here's the thing - getting relevant criminology work experience can really make your application stand out. It shows universities you're serious about the subject and helps you understand what criminology is actually like in the real world.

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to get work experience for criminology as a student.

Key Takeaways

• Work experience boosts your uni application - It shows admissions tutors you're genuinely interested in criminology and helps your personal statement stand out from the crowd.

• You don't need to solve crimes to get relevant experience - Court visits, police insight programmes, volunteering with victim support charities, or even online criminology courses all count as valuable experience.

• Start simple and reflect on what you learn - Pick one or two opportunities that interest you, keep notes on what you discover, and think about how it connects to criminology concepts for your UCAS application.

Why Criminology Work Experience Matters

Applying for university - especially for a subject like criminology - can be competitive so it’s important to stand out. That’s where work experience comes in. 

Firstly, it strengthens your university application. Admissions tutors love seeing students who've got out of the classroom to explore their chosen subject. According to (opens in a new tab)UCAS (opens in a new tab), 66% of employers consider work experience when making job offers.

Secondly, it helps you develop key criminology skills. These include observation, empathy, communication, and analytical thinking. You'll use these skills throughout your degree and future career.

And finally, work experience gives you a realistic picture of criminology careers. The field is vast. You might discover you love forensic psychology or find that social work really appeals to you. Either way, you'll make more informed choices about your university course and career path.

What Counts as Criminology Work Experience?

Thankfully, you don't need to solve crimes or work directly with police to gain criminology experience. In fact, most organisations won't let students under 18 do hands-on investigative work for safety and legal reasons. So, instead, you need to think a little outside the box.

Criminology overlaps with many fields. It connects to law, sociology, psychology, policing, and youth work. This means lots of different experiences count as criminology-related.

And while formal work placements are great, they're not the only option. You could choose to:

• Volunteer with a victim support charity

• Shadow a social worker

• Attend public events like lectures

• Enrol on an online learning course 

These all count as valuable experience. The key is choosing experiences that help you understand crime, justice, and society. Think about seeking out experiences that involve helping people, understanding human behaviour, or supporting communities.

Criminology Work Experience Ideas for Students

Courtroom Observation

Sitting in the public gallery of a court in the UK can be the easiest way to see the justice system in action. Most Magistrates' Courts and Crown Courts allow members of the public to observe hearings. 

Check court listings online, turn up on the day, and jot down observations in your notebook. Arrive early to make sure you can get a seat and you'll see real cases being heard and learn how the legal system actually works.

Watch how different professionals interact - barristers, magistrates, court clerks, and probation officers. Notice how evidence is presented and how decisions are made.

You can contact your local court directly and check out (opens in a new tab)Courtserve (opens in a new tab) for suitable Magistrates Court cases to observe.

Police Insight Programmes

If you want experience on the front line, a ride-along with the police could be a more thrilling way to get work experience for criminology. Many police forces run insight programmes specifically for young people interested in law enforcement careers. As well as ride-alongs, these might include station visits or multi-day programmes.

Police Cadets is another brilliant option. Available to 13-18 year olds, it gives you real insight into police work. You'll learn about crime prevention, community safety, and law enforcement.

Most forces also run careers events and open days. These give you a chance to meet officers from different departments - from cybercrime to community policing.

Check your local police force's website or contact their community engagement team. The (opens in a new tab)Police.uk (opens in a new tab) website can help you find your local force.

Youth Offending Teams or Social Work Shadowing

If you’re keen to combine your interest in criminology with a focus on young people, you could find work experience with a Youth Offending Team. They work with young people who've committed crimes and focus on rehabilitation and preventing reoffending - a key part of modern criminology.

Some local councils offer student placements or visits through their youth services. You might observe meetings, help with administrative tasks, or attend community events. All of these experiences will add some extra oomph to your university application.

Social workers also deal with crime-related issues, especially around child protection and family support. Many work closely with police and courts. Ask your school careers adviser about local opportunities to shadow a social worker. You can also contact your local council directly through their website.

Victim Support or Domestic Abuse Charities

The criminal justice system isn’t all about finding the perpetrators of crimes. Supporting victims is also a crucial part of the justice system. Many charities welcome student volunteers for appropriate tasks like fundraising, administration, or awareness campaigns.

• Victim Support (opens in a new tab)is the main charity helping crime victims across England and Wales. They often need help with events, data entry, and community outreach.

• Women's Aid (opens in a new tab) - a domestic abuse charity - has local hubs and also offers volunteering opportunities for fundraising. Here, you’ll gain insight into the impact of crime on individuals and families while making a real difference.

While you may be a little restricted on the sorts of tasks you can carry out because of sensitivities around age, fundraising, raising awareness, shadowing professionals, and dealing with admin tasks will allow you to experience a charity environment. These experiences build empathy and communication skills while showing you the wider effects of crime on society.

Criminology and Law-Focused Volunteering

If you’re a bit of a legal eagle and fancy volunteering to help people with legal problems, contact your local Citizens Advice (opens in a new tab) for opportunities. You could help clients seeking help with crimes like fraud or harassment. Or you could volunteer behind the scenes and help with administration or research.

For an experience closer to home, school peer mentoring programmes also count. They help you understand conflict resolution and support systems - both relevant to criminology.

Online Programmes and Short Courses

If you can't find local opportunities or want to explore specific criminology topics, virtual work experience is a fantastic option.

• Springpod (opens in a new tab) offers an innovative criminology spotlight, allowing you to experience a university taster course from your own home.

• FutureLearn (opens in a new tab) has free courses on topics like cybercrime, forensic psychology, and human rights.

These programmes are flexible and let you explore different aspects of criminology at home. All you need is good WiFi and a laptop.

How To Find and Apply for Opportunities

It can seem overwhelming to try and hunt for criminology work experience as a student. Where do you look? How do you start? Do you need a CV? Keep reading and you’ll find the answers to all these questions. 

• Start with your school network. Career advisers often know about local opportunities and can help you make connections. Teachers might also have contacts in relevant organisations.

• Use local charity and council websites to find volunteering opportunities. Many have dedicated volunteer sections with contact details and application forms.

• LinkedIn isn't just for adults - you can use it to research organisations and connect with professionals in your area.

• When writing enquiry emails, be professional but friendly. Explain who you are, what you're hoping to learn, and why you're interested in their organisation. Always mention your age and any relevant experience or interests.

• Follow up politely if you don't hear back within two weeks. Many organisations are busy and things can slip through the net, but they usually appreciate enthusiastic young people.

Reflecting on Your Experience

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when shadowing a social worker or experiencing a police ride-along. But it’s important to keep a journal or log of what you learn from each activity.

Write down what surprised you, what confirmed your expectations, and what questions arose. Jot down specific examples of how the work relates to criminology concepts like justice, crime prevention, or rehabilitation. And, think about the skills you used or developed. Did you improve your communication skills? Learn about research methods? Develop empathy for different perspectives?

This reflection is absolute gold dust for your UCAS application. And you’ll have it right there in front of you written down when the time comes to write your personal statement. It shows admissions tutors you can think critically about your experiences and link them to academic study.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need criminology work experience to study it at university?

No, work experience isn't absolutely essential for most criminology courses. But, courses are becoming more competitive, so it definitely strengthens your application and helps you write a more compelling personal statement.

According to (opens in a new tab)Complete University Guide (opens in a new tab), for most criminology courses, work experience is a good to have rather than a must-have.

What's the best age to start gaining experience?

You can start as early as Year 11 (age 15-16), but don't worry if you're starting later. Even a few months of experience before applying to university is valuable.

Many opportunities like court observation and online courses are available to students of any age, and some police programmes like the Volunteer Police Cadets start from age 13.

Can I volunteer with the police as a student?

Direct volunteering with police is limited for under-18s due to safety and legal requirements. But the Police Cadets and community events are all available to students.

Special Constable roles typically require you to be 18+, but many forces offer student volunteer opportunities in community safety or administration.

Are there virtual criminology work experience options?

Yes, absolutely. Online programmes have expanded hugely in recent years. Virtual court hearings, online courses, and digital volunteering opportunities are all valid forms of work experience.

These are really useful if you live in a rural area with limited local opportunities or if you want to explore specialised areas like cybercrime or international justice.

Your Next Steps

Getting work experience in criminology as a student takes a little bit of effort, but it’s totally worth it. It’s one of the best ways to boost your skills, confidence, and the personal statement on your university application.

Start by picking one or two opportunities that genuinely interest you - quality matters far more than quantity. Reach out to local organisations, look into virtual programmes if in-person options are limited, and keep building your knowledge by following real criminology case studies and current affairs.

And don’t worry - no one expects you to have cracked a big investigation or worked alongside detectives. What admissions tutors want to see is curiosity, commitment, and the ability to reflect on what you’ve learned.

The experience you gain now could be the first step of a strong future in criminology.

References

Is work experience important? (opens in a new tab)

Magistrates Court listings (opens in a new tab)

Find a local police force (opens in a new tab)

Victim Support volunteering (opens in a new tab)

Women’s Aid fundraising (opens in a new tab)

Citizens Advice volunteering (opens in a new tab)

Springpod criminology spotlight (opens in a new tab)

FutureLearn criminology (opens in a new tab)

Study criminology - why and how?