With a love for studying social sciences, Amy chose BSc (Hons) Criminology at Bath for her undergraduate degree.

She was keen to pursue the subject and draw on her interests, and discovered a course that allowed her to explore exciting topics and develop a range of transferable skills that have opened up a range of possibilities.

Now a graduate, Amy works for Airbus in a role that focuses on the defence and space environment.

Although that may be a somewhat unexpected career, she explained to us how the connection between her course and job is stronger than you may think, as well as what she loved about her time at Bath.

Discovering the right course for me

I didn’t grow up knowing I wanted to study criminology. At school, my understanding of the subject was surface level, without a clear sense of what the discipline involved or where it could lead.

It wasn’t until I was exploring college options that criminology properly came onto my radar. Alongside psychology and sociology, it immediately stood out as a subject I was curious about.

At college, I ended up studying all three social sciences, plus a counselling GCSE. That combination gave me a strong foundation in understanding people, behaviour, and society. I knew that criminology consistently held my attention more than anything else, so I decided to pursue it further. It felt relevant, challenging, and wide-ranging in a way that made me want to learn more.

A friend in my college class mentioned they were visiting the University of Bath for an Open Day, and I went along too to find out more about the course, units, and environment. The campus atmosphere stood out; everything was in one place, it felt welcoming and calm, and there was a real sense of community. Sitting by the lake on a sunny open day, with students and staff around and a genuine buzz in the air, I realised I could picture myself living and studying there.

A course with real depth and breadth that encourages curiosity

The structure of the BSc (Hons) Criminology degree really appealed to me. It was clear that this wasn’t a narrow or purely vocational course; there was a huge range of modules to choose from, and the degree sat within a wider social sciences context. That breadth really matters.

I knew early on that I didn’t want a crime scene investigation-focused degree or a course that pushed you directly towards policing roles. What interested me more was the bigger picture: policy, politics, security, human behaviour, and social justice.

I moved between politics-focused modules, sociology-led perspectives, and psychologically informed approaches. One week might centre on political structures and policy, the next on sociological theory. That flexibility meant I could tailor my degree to my interests as they developed, rather than being locked into one pathway.

Some of the most memorable units were also the ones I never expected to enjoy as much as I did. The ‘sociology of death module’, for example, had no obvious link to my future career, but it completely changed the way I thought about society and human behaviour towards difficult situations. It was taught with real enthusiasm and care, and it became a favourite across my cohort. Units like ‘international development and politics’ helped shape my thinking about global systems and power and later proved relevant in professional settings.

The course really encouraged a curious mind and taught me how to think critically, analyse complex information, and feel confident stepping into unfamiliar subject areas.

Unexpected career paths

One of the most valuable aspects of my degree was the emphasis on transferable skills. The analytical and critical thinking skills I developed are ones I use every day now.

My current role at Airbus focuses on project quality management within a defence and space environment, and while that might sound quite different from criminology on the surface, the connection is there.

The degree’s mix of qualitative and quantitative methods was particularly useful. Having formal training in both meant I felt comfortable analysing documents, evaluating evidence and taking a broad view of complex projects. The statistical component of the course has also been genuinely helpful in both my professional placement in Year 3 and my graduate role.

For my placement, I worked at a market research firm that has since rebranded to Ipsos. It was a completely unique and exciting opportunity, focused on research and customer experience improvement within the travel and tourism sector. That experience helped me understand what I did and didn’t want from a future career, while also building my confidence in a professional setting.

My experience overall really reinforced for me that criminology doesn’t funnel you into a single career. It equips you with a way of thinking that can be applied across sectors.

After graduating in 2024, I joined a global graduate scheme with Airbus. It’s a competitive grad scheme and I feel really proud to have been accepted. The role draws on policy awareness, security thinking, and analytical skills far more than technical knowledge. It’s exciting to think about where your course can lead you.

I had excellent career support along the way. From CV workshops to interview practice, the guidance I received, particularly ahead of my placement, made a real difference when applying for competitive roles later.

Confidence and belonging

Beyond the academic side, Bath, as a place, played a huge role in my experience. Living on campus in the quads in a large flat made it easy to meet people, and many of us stayed living together throughout our degrees.

The Criminology cohort itself was relatively small, at around 50 students, which created a supportive learning environment. Seminars felt approachable, lecturers knew who we were, and it was much easier to get involved in discussions than it would have been on a much larger course. That sense of community mattered, especially given that criminology often covers serious and sensitive topics.

Bath’s campus offered a balance that I really valued. On good days, sitting by the lake after exams or lectures felt like a reward. On rainy days, heading into town to read in a café became a comforting routine. The city and campus are both accessible and welcoming.

I made use of the sports facilities in a relaxed, non-competitive way, playing badminton and squash with friends. Bath never felt intimidating; it felt supportive, organised and genuinely student-focused.

When people ask if I miss university, I always say yes without hesitation. I would go back in a heartbeat. Studying Criminology at Bath was a period of constant learning, growth, and discovery. It gave me confidence in my ability to adapt, think critically, and take opportunities even when I wasn’t sure exactly where they would lead.