Criminology, Sentencing and Justice
Bridging Research and Practice for Justice Leaders
Expressions of interest are now invited for the 2026 course
- To speak with someone about this course or ask a question, please contact Professor Nicola Padfield, Course Director executive.programme@crim.cam.ac.uk
- Applicants should email their expression of interest to executive.programme@crim.cam.ac.uk by 31 January 2026. The expression of interest should include the completed application form. (Word) or (PDF)
Dates:14 - 25 September 2026
Location: Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge
Week 1 - Foundations
- Society, crime and criminal justice
- Philosophy and ethics of punishment
- Courts and the public
- Explaining and predicting crime and risk
- What works in prevention and intervention?
- The purposes and effects of punishment
- Keynote lecture and formal college dinner
Week 2 - Key Challenges
- Artificial intelligence in criminal justice
- The effectiveness of preventive orders
- What works in criminal investigation?
- Sentencing reviews, parole and probation
- Miscarriage of justice and wrongful convictions
- The neuroscience of responsibility
- Bias and inequality in justice outcomes
Teaching will be delivered by internationally recognised senior academics including leading scholars from the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford.
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Advance your practice. Deepen your understanding of the causes and prevention of crime, the effectiveness of sanctions, and the ethical foundations of punishment
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Engage with world-leading experts. Learn directly from internationally recognised scholars at the University of Cambridge and partner institutions
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Collaborate across the system. Exchange perspectives with prosecutors, judges, defence lawyers, policymakers, and senior practitioners from the UK and abroad
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Earn recognition. Receive a University of Cambridge Certificate of Attendance and join a global community of alumni shaping justice reform
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Senior and mid-career legal professionals in the criminal justice system
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Judges, magistrates, prosecutors and defense lawyers
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Officials from parole boards, appellate courts, and justice ministries
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Policy specialists and advisors from Attorney General’s Offices and equivalent bodies
Seminar-style teaching, group work, applied problem-solving. Keynote evening lecture and formal dinner in a Cambridge college. Opportunities to connect ideas to practice and to build an enduring professional network committed to advancing justice. Expected cohort size 12-25 participants.
Applicants should email their expression of interest to executive.programme@crim.cam.ac.uk by 31 January 2026. The expression of interest should include the completed application form. (Word) or (PDF)
- Home Students: £2,900 (fee status requirements)
- Overseas Students: £5,900
The fees include tuition, course materials and a college dinner.
Accommodation is not included. We can provide a list of suggested accommodation for students to book themselves, including some colleges as well as hotels.
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On confirmation of acceptance onto the course, a non-refundable 50% deposit is required by 14 March 2026.
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The full payment is due by 14 June 2026.
Applicants sponsored by an employing organisation must provide a purchase order for the full fee due in advance of the 14 March 2026 to allow adequate time to invoice and receive payment of the deposit by 14 March 2026.
In the event of the Institute being unable to run the course due to circumstances or events beyond the Institute’s reasonable control the Institute shall be entitled to cancel the course and shall refund any monies paid to the Institute but shall not be liable to compensate further or otherwise for such cancellation.
To speak with someone about this course or ask a question, please contact Professor Nicola Padfield, Course Director executive.programme@crim.cam.ac.uk