School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences

We cultivate a global perspective and prepare students to be active global citizens.

We strive to create a diverse, inclusive, responsive and research-led learning environment.

We value:

• Our students’ wellbeing 
• A supportive learning environment
• High academic excellence standards
• A culture of continuous learning, discovery and intellectual growth 
• Research that address real-world challenges 
• Creating a positive impact

To help you maximise your potential, we will encourage you to:

• Challenge your perceptions through active analysis, questioning, interpretation and innovation
• Change the future through problem solving and influencing others to be their best
• Create new solutions and embrace opportunities through digitalisation and enterprise thinking 
• Collaborate within multidisciplinary terms and environments 

At Kingston, you’ll benefit from the power of research and get to grips with creating real-world impact.

We have partnered with:

• Governmental departments
• Policing and criminal justice institutions
• Community groups
• Voluntary sector organisations
• Homelessness, social care and health agencies

Our research funders include:

• The European Social Research Council
• The Arts and Humanities Research Council 
• The European Commission (including COST, European Cooperation in Science and Technology)
• The National Lottery Commission
• The Home Office
• Spurgeons Charity 
• The Royal United Services Institute

oin a diverse, inclusive student community to study a course that reflects you. More than half of Kingston students identify as BAME, around 28% join us from over 140 different countries and everyone has a different background.

Find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at Kingston University.

You’ll find Kingston School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences at the Penrhyn Road campus. As a student here, you’ll benefit from:

• Being just 30 minutes away from central London
• Our award winning Town House building
• Comprehensive research facilities including labs and tools
• Cutting-edge equipment and state-of-the-art infrastructure

Criminology

Criminology is about the study of crime, crime control and criminalization of social ‘groups'. Fear of crime has a profound influence on our feelings of security and wellbeing, from ‘street-level' crime to global concerns about terrorism and cybercrime. Criminologists combine the study of society, politics, law, psychology and culture to understand offending behaviour and the peoples' responses to prohibited and harmful activity. Criminology also analyses the cultural representations of criminality. It investigates how this relates to constructions of social identity like class, race and ethnicity, gender, age and sexuality.

Sociology

Sociology is all about people and societies. It is concerned with how we influence one another as individuals and groups, and the ways in which wider social factors affect what we do and how we think. It explores questions about the nature of society, human relationships and behaviour, examining issues. It looks at issues around power and inequality, change and development, identity and culture. Sociology challenges our prejudices and assumptions.

Learning and teaching in the Department

Easily accessible and ready to assist, the friendly teaching team is dedicated to aiding your university transition. The personal tutor scheme, designed to help you from your very first week, exemplifies this commitment. In your first year, you'll join a small seminar group led by the same team member each semester. This leader doubles as your personal tutor throughout your degree, offering guidance in learning, personal growth, and career aspirations, so you can be confident you always have somewhere to turn for advice.

Pathways to legal excellence

Choose from a diverse array of undergraduate and postgraduate law courses tailored to any career stage. Whether your aspiration is your first legal qualification, interdisciplinary study, or specialised law exploration, our programmes will suit your journey.

Our reputation for high-quality teaching is verified by government agencies and professional bodies. Many members of our teaching staff are active in professional legal practice or are legal scholars whose research puts them at the forefront of legal learning.

Exploring human behaviour

The Department of Psychology at Kingston University is a vibrant hub for understanding human behaviour and the mind. Through critical thinking and empirical research, we explore factors that shape experiences, shedding light on cognitive processes, emotions, and social interactions.

Psychology addresses mental health, communication, and well-being, crucial in our changing world. It plays a pivotal role in understanding human behaviour and fostering healthier communities, and our mission is to equip students to contribute to a brighter future.