Interest in criminology continues to grow as issues relating to criminality, security and public safety have become the focus of public debate. Södertörn University’s Criminology A course tops the application statistics, reflecting growing public interest and an increased need for specialist knowledge in the field.

“That our Criminology A course is the most popular course in Sweden is gratifying, as well as proving that the education we provide is regarded as research-oriented, important and has contemporary relevance,” says Södertörn University’s Vice-Chancellor, Ylva Fältholm.

At Södertörn University, criminology has been developed as a subject with a clear focus on current societal challenges, with organised crime, the criminal economy and crime prevention as central components. The continuation course in Organised Crime and the Criminal Economy is also very popular, with over 1,100 applicants for the autumn semester.

“The course combines classical criminological theories with contemporary research perspectives and practical elements. Students must not only understand the causes and consequences of crime, but also analyse which measures are effective and why. This link between research, policy and practice has been vital to the subject’s development,” says Amir Rostami, professor of criminology.

The increased demand for criminological expertise can also be linked to how the nature of crime is increasingly organised, financially driven and crosses borders, which places new demands on knowledge-based working methods and collaboration between societal stakeholders. Education is thus not only an academic platform, but also key to improving society’s long-term capacity to understand and tackle complex crime. At a time when criminality is changing rapidly and often transcends organisational and institutional boundaries, access to well-educated analysts and practitioners is crucial.

“The high level of interest reflects a broader societal trend in which crime has become more complex and harder to tackle within separate sectors, so there is a great need for specialist expertise. Our aim is to educate students who not only understand crime, but who can also help develop effective, long-term solutions,” says Rostami.