Case Study

I was working within the health and social care sector as a healthcare assistant in the community and within care homes. I worked with a number of vulnerable individuals with complex needs for 11 years before I attended university. It got to a point where I decided I needed to make life changes within my career because I wanted to build a better life for me and my family. I had a keen interest in the criminal justice sector, in particular becoming an officer in the police force, and I decided to go to university to achieve this.

I chose to attend the University of Sunderland due to the course content of the BSc (Hons) Criminology – I was particularly drawn in by the policing module and the practical module given that I was considering joining the police in the future. I also had the opportunity to attend the Summer School for a taster of the course and attended the open days. Summer School was a great experience; the atmosphere was brilliant! Everyone was lovely and willing to give you as much information as you required. The taster sessions that I attended definitely grabbed your attention and the tutor was fantastic and very informative.

The BSc (Hons) Criminology course has so many good aspects, including the teaching staff who all provide brilliant support, the course content, the delivery of the materials needed to complete the assignments, and the availability of support from the library services. There’s a wide range of opportunities to help you gain skills and experience. I have attended training with the youth offending team, joined the Local Appropriate Adult Scheme and have undertaken a placement with Shelter. This is all helping me to build networks with potential employers and gives me so much experience to help me get a job once I graduate.

I would definitely recommend the University of Sunderland as it has a great welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff in all departments – from student support to wellbeing services, library services to personal tutors, who all aim to help you achieve your goals. I would advise prospective students to make the most of your time at university, attend everything and accept all the help and guidance you receive. And enjoy it!

I’m now not 100% sure what I want to do in my future career. My main focus has been joining the police force but the course is opening up many other doors within the sector so that might change in time!”

Published 8 April 2020