Criminology and Criminal Justice

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Gdansk

Program Overview

The Bachelor in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Gdansk offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary program that dives deep into the causes of crime, deviant behavior, and the criminal justice system, perfect for students passionate about understanding and tackling societal issues like crime prevention and resocialization. It's ideal for those with a high school background in subjects like Polish, foreign languages, or social studies, who want hands-on insights from top researchers, judges, prosecutors, and psychologists to build a career fighting crime and promoting justice.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1 builds a strong foundation by exploring the basics of deviant behavior and crime determinants, helping you grasp why people break the law and how society responds. You'll dive into Determinants of Crime, Organization of the Criminal Justice System, and introductory Forensic Medicine, blending theory with real-world examples from Polish and international cases to spark your interest early on.

Year 2 ramps up with a focus on crime's many faces, including its phenomenology and the psychology behind it, taught by experts who connect classroom lessons to actual justice system practices. Key modules like Psychopathology, Criminal Biology, and Philosophy of Punishment give you tools to analyze criminal minds and ethical dilemmas, preparing you for deeper prevention strategies.

Year 3 sharpens your skills in combating crime through practical lenses, emphasizing resocialization and global comparisons from pan-European organizations. You'll master Resocialization Pedagogy, Sociology of Punishment, and Criminal Prevention, culminating in projects that mimic real professional challenges, all under guidance from practitioners like mediators and curators.

Focus areas
Interdisciplinary criminology, crime causes and phenomenology, criminal justice organization, forensic sciences, psychopathology, resocialization, punishment philosophy/sociology, and prevention methods.

Learning outcomes
Gain broad knowledge of deviant behavior and crime; understand justice system structures; apply forensic medicine, psychopathology, and resocialization techniques; analyze international crime-fighting strategies.

Professional alignment (accreditation)
Delivered by University of Gdansk's Faculty of Law and Administration, with input from justice system pros (judges, prosecutors, psychologists); aligns with Polish and EU standards for criminology training.

Reputation (employability rankings)
University of Gdansk's program stands out for its practitioner-led teaching and interdisciplinary approach, equipping graduates for roles in courts, policing, and NGOs—backed by official recognition via Poland's study.gov.pl portal.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Gdansk's Bachelor in Criminology and Criminal Justice program within the Faculty of Law and Administration, you'll dive into hands-on learning that builds real-world skills in understanding crime, deviant behavior, and the justice system. Classes are led by top Polish and foreign researchers, plus practitioners like judges, prosecutors, lawyers, curators, mediators, doctors, and psychologists, giving you direct exposure to how theory plays out in practice. You'll explore practical topics like forensic medicine, psychopathology, criminal biology, resocialization, the philosophy and sociology of punishment, and criminal prevention—all with a comparative lens on international organizations and pan-European efforts.

This means you'll gain interdisciplinary expertise through engaging, real-world-focused sessions:

- Practitioner-led classes: Learn from active professionals in the justice system, such as judges, prosecutors, and psychologists, who share frontline insights on crime determinants, criminal justice organization, and combating pathologies.
- Specialized topic workshops: Hands-on exploration of forensic medicine, psychopathology, resocialization pedagogy, and criminal biology to equip you with tools for analyzing deviant behavior and crime phenomenology.
- Comparative international perspectives: Study global achievements and activities of international and pan-European institutions, preparing you to think beyond borders in criminal prevention and justice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Criminology and Criminal Justice program at the University of Gdańsk offers a distinctive learning approach that combines rigorous academic study with hands-on experience in the criminal justice field. What sets this program apart is its direct connection to working professionals who actively supervise and teach students, ensuring you learn from those currently practicing in the system.

Your education goes beyond textbooks through collaboration with experienced practitioners across the justice system. You'll study under the guidance of curators, judges, lawyers, prosecutors, mediators, doctors, and psychologists who bring real-world expertise directly into the classroom. This means you're not just learning theory—you're understanding how criminal justice actually works through the eyes of professionals actively shaping it.

The program emphasizes practical skill development across multiple dimensions:

- Forensic medicine and criminal biology courses that provide specialized knowledge in evidence analysis and biological aspects of crime
- Psychopathology and restorative justice training through direct instruction from mental health and mediation professionals
- Resocialization pedagogy classes preparing you for rehabilitation-focused criminal justice work
- Comparative international perspectives integrating pan-European and international criminal justice approaches into your coursework
- Interdisciplinary methodology covering sociology of punishment, criminal prevention strategies, and deviance analysis

This integrated approach ensures you develop both the theoretical foundation and practical competencies needed for a career in criminology and criminal justice.