100 Best universities for Criminology and Criminal Justice in the United Kingdom

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United Kingdom ranked based on their research performance in Criminology and Criminal Justice. A graph of 743K citations received by 55.3K academic papers made by 111 universities in the United Kingdom was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Cambridge

England | Cambridge

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#1 in Europe

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Founded: 1209

2. University of Oxford

England | Oxford

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#2 in Europe

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1096

3. University College London

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#3 in Europe

#18 in the World

Enrollment: 42,000
Founded: 1826

4. London School of Economics and Political Science

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#4 in Europe

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 9,218
Founded: 1895

5. King's College London

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#5 in Europe

#30 in the World

Founded: 1829

6. University of Edinburgh

Scotland | Edinburgh

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#6 in Europe

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Founded: 1583

7. University of Manchester

England | Manchester

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#7 in Europe

#53 in the World

Founded: 1824

8. University of Birmingham

England | Birmingham

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#8 in Europe

#59 in the World

Founded: 1900

9. University of Nottingham

England | Nottingham

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#9 in Europe

#60 in the World

Founded: 1948

10. University of Kent

England | Canterbury

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#10 in Europe

#66 in the World

Founded: 1965

11. University of Sheffield

England | Sheffield

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#12 in Europe

#70 in the World

Founded: 1905

12. University of Liverpool

England | Liverpool

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#13 in Europe

#71 in the World

Enrollment: 28,693
Founded: 1881

13. University of Leicester

England | Leicester

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#14 in Europe

#73 in the World

Enrollment: 24,409
Male:Female: 46:54
Founded: 1957

14. University of Warwick

England | Coventry

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#15 in Europe

#80 in the World

Enrollment: 27,278
Founded: 1965

15. University of Leeds

England | Leeds

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#16 in Europe

#83 in the World

Founded: 1904

16. University of Bristol

England | Bristol

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#19 in Europe

#96 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Enrollment: 27,513
Founded: 1909

17. University of Glasgow

Scotland | Glasgow

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#20 in Europe

#97 in the World

Founded: 1451

18. Cardiff University

Wales | Cardiff

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#22 in Europe

#107 in the World

Founded: 1997

19. Lancaster University

England | Lancaster

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#25 in Europe

#111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1964

20. University of Portsmouth

England | Portsmouth

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#26 in Europe

#118 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

21. Keele University

England | Keele

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#28 in Europe

#123 in the World

Founded: 1962

22. Queen's University Belfast

Northern Ireland | Belfast

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#29 in Europe

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Founded: 1849

23. University of Sussex

England | Brighton

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#30 in Europe

#126 in the World

Enrollment: 17,319
Male:Female: 44:56
Founded: 1961

24. Durham University

England | Durham

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#31 in Europe

#128 in the World

Enrollment: 19,520
Founded: 1832

25. University of London

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#32 in Europe

#137 in the World

Enrollment: 50,000
Founded: 1836

26. University of Surrey

England | Guildford

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#34 in Europe

#153 in the World

Enrollment: 16,900
Founded: 1966

27. University of York

England | York

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#37 in Europe

#163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1963

28. Northumbria University

England | Newcastle upon Tyne

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#38 in Europe

#170 in the World

Founded: 1992

29. University of Strathclyde

Scotland | Glasgow

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#39 in Europe

#172 in the World

Founded: 1964

30. University of Essex

England | Colchester

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#41 in Europe

#175 in the World

Founded: 1964

31. Queen Mary University of London

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#42 in Europe

#178 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Founded: 1989

32. University of Southampton

England | Southampton

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#44 in Europe

#184 in the World

Enrollment: 21,335
Founded: 1952

33. University of Exeter

England | Exeter

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#46 in Europe

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 1955

34. Nottingham Trent University

England | Nottingham

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#47 in Europe

#194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1992

35. University of Wales

Wales | Cardiff

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#48 in Europe

#199 in the World

Founded: 1893

36. University of Stirling

Scotland | Stirling

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#49 in Europe

#200 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1967

37. Newcastle University

England | Newcastle upon Tyne

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#51 in Europe

#206 in the World

Founded: 1963

38. Ulster University

Northern Ireland | Coleraine

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#53 in Europe

#208 in the World

Founded: 1968

39. Swansea University

Wales | Swansea

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#55 in Europe

#219 in the World

Founded: 1920

40. University of Huddersfield

England | Huddersfield

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#57 in Europe

#224 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

41. Loughborough University

England | Loughborough

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#58 in Europe

#228 in the World

Enrollment: 19,449
Founded: 1966

42. University of Hull

England | Kingston upon Hull

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#59 in Europe

#229 in the World

Founded: 1954

43. Liverpool John Moores University

England | Liverpool

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#60 in Europe

#231 in the World

Founded: 1992

44. University of St Andrews

Scotland | St Andrews

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#64 in Europe

#250 in the World

Enrollment: 10,425
Founded: 1413

45. Teesside University

England | Middlesbrough

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#66 in Europe

#257 in the World

Enrollment: 19,290
Founded: 1992

46. Sheffield Hallam University

England | Sheffield

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#67 in Europe

#260 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

47. Royal Holloway, University of London

England | Egham

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#70 in Europe

#273 in the World

Founded: 1849

48. University of Central Lancashire

England | Preston

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#71 in Europe

#276 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 1992

49. University of South Wales

Wales | Pontypridd

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#72 in Europe

#278 in the World

Founded: 1841

50. De Montfort University

England | Leicester

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#74 in Europe

#286 in the World

Founded: 1992

51. University of Plymouth

England | Plymouth

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#75 in Europe

#289 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1992

52. Brunel University London

England | Uxbridge

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#76 in Europe

#290 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Founded: 1966

53. University of the West of England

England | Bristol

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#79 in Europe

#294 in the World

Enrollment: 30,732
Founded: 1992

54. Middlesex University

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#80 in Europe

#297 in the World

Founded: 1973

55. Imperial College London

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#81 in Europe

#298 in the World

Enrollment: 17,565
Founded: 1907

56. Manchester Metropolitan University

England | Manchester

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#82 in Europe

#304 in the World

Founded: 1992

57. University of Aberdeen

Scotland | Aberdeen

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#84 in Europe

#311 in the World

Founded: 1495

58. University of East Anglia

England | Norwich

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#86 in Europe

#314 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1963

59. Birkbeck, University of London

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#87 in Europe

#317 in the World

Founded: 1823

60. University of Reading

England | Reading

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#92 in Europe

#342 in the World

Founded: 1892

61. University of Dundee

Scotland | Dundee

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#96 in Europe

#352 in the World

Founded: 1967

62. Leeds Beckett University

England | Leeds

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#97 in Europe

#354 in the World

Founded: 1992

63. City, University of London

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#98 in Europe

#356 in the World

Founded: 1966

64. Goldsmiths, University of London

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#99 in Europe

#358 in the World

Founded: 1904

65. University of Westminster

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#100 in Europe

#359 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1838

66. Coventry University

England | Coventry

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#101 in Europe

#363 in the World

Enrollment: 22,980
Founded: 1992

67. London Metropolitan University

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#104 in Europe

#367 in the World

Founded: 1848

68. University of Bath

England | Bath

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#107 in Europe

#373 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 18,857
Male:Female: 53:47
Founded: 1966

69. Birmingham City University

England | Birmingham

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#118 in Europe

#412 in the World

Founded: 1992

70. University of Roehampton

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#124 in Europe

#426 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 2004

71. University of Bedfordshire

England | Luton

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#125 in Europe

#427 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 2006

72. University of Salford

England | Salford

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#128 in Europe

#435 in the World

Founded: 1967

73. University of East London

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#130 in Europe

#439 in the World

Founded: 1992

74. University of Bradford

England | Bradford

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#133 in Europe

#442 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 1966

75. Aberystwyth University

Wales | Aberystwyth

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#134 in Europe

#447 in the World

Founded: 1872

76. University of Lincoln

England | Lincoln

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#135 in Europe

#448 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1992

77. London South Bank University

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#141 in Europe

#457 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 1892

78. Glasgow Caledonian University

Scotland | Glasgow

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#148 in Europe

#473 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1993

79. University of Wolverhampton

England | Wolverhampton

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#156 in Europe

#499 in the World

Founded: 1992

80. Canterbury Christ Church University

England | Canterbury

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#159 in Europe

#505 in the World

Founded: 2005

81. University of Greenwich

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#160 in Europe

#511 in the World

Founded: 1890

82. Oxford Brookes University

England | Oxford

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#163 in Europe

#527 in the World

Enrollment: 16,900
Founded: 1865

83. Bangor University

Wales | Bangor

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#164 in Europe

#528 in the World

Enrollment: 11,270
Founded: 1884

84. SOAS, University of London

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#165 in Europe

#531 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Enrollment: 6,295
Founded: 1916

85. University of Hertfordshire

England | Hatfield

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#166 in Europe

#533 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1992

86. University of Brighton

England | Brighton

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#167 in Europe

#534 in the World

Founded: 1992

87. St George's, University of London

England | London

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#174 in Europe

#551 in the World

Founded: 1733

88. University of the West of Scotland

Scotland | Paisley

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#179 in Europe

#560 in the World

Enrollment: 15,555
Founded: 1897

89. Edge Hill University

England | Ormskirk

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#180 in Europe

#562 in the World

Founded: 2006

90. University of Derby

England | Derby

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#181 in Europe

#563 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Enrollment: 25,000
Founded: 1992

91. University of Sunderland

England | Sunderland

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#183 in Europe

#569 in the World

Enrollment: 19,090
Founded: 1992

92. Anglia Ruskin University

England | Cambridge

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#196 in Europe

#624 in the World

Founded: 1858

93. Abertay University

Scotland | Dundee

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#208 in Europe

#663 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1994

94. Bournemouth University

England | Poole

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#215 in Europe

#692 in the World

Enrollment: 14,293
Founded: 1992

95. University of Gloucestershire

England | Cheltenham

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#225 in Europe

#718 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 2001

96. University of Worcester

England | Worcester

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#229 in Europe

#731 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Enrollment: 10,798
Founded: 2005

97. Staffordshire University

England | Stoke-on-Trent

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#232 in Europe

#740 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 1992

98. Kingston University

England | Kingston upon Thames

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#234 in Europe

#743 in the World

Founded: 1992

99. University of Northampton

England | Northampton

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#237 in Europe

#749 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 2005

100. Edinburgh Napier University

Scotland | Edinburgh

For Criminology and Criminal Justice

#238 in Europe

#770 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1992

The best cities to study Criminology and Criminal Justice in the United Kingdom based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cambridge, Oxford, London, and Edinburgh.