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  • Criminal Justice in the UK

    United Kingdom

    - Sample Itinerary -

    CEPA faculty-led program on criminology in the UK
    CEPA Study Abroad
  • Academic Field(s)

    Arts and Sciences

  • Destinations

    London

  • Duration

    12 days

  • Accommodation

    3-star hotel in London

Criminal justice is the system of practice and institution of government directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws.

This study abroad program focuses on the criminal justice systems in England specifically on their core agencies, such as the local courts and the police. Students enrolled in criminology or criminal justice courses will visit a prison and observe trials to allow them to make comparisons to the system employed in their home country.

  • DAY 1

    • Overnight flight to London, UK (group flight can be booked separately)

  • DAY 2-7: LONDON

    Stay 10 nights at a 3-star hotel in London

    • Arrival at London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
    • Check-in at the hotel and orientation session by your CEPA On-Site Coordinator
    • Welcome dinner at a British restaurant
    • Guided walking tour of Westminster, focusing on the developments of the Constitutional Monarchy and the governmental system of the UK
    • Visit the Westminster Magistrate Courts together with a local guide specialized in law for an introduction to the criminal system in the UK and to observe a proceeding
    • Guided tour of the Clink Museum, which is built upon the original site of the Clink Prison
    • Time for course assignments
    • Guided walking tour on “Jack the Ripper” with a focus on the social history and crime investigation aspects of the case. In the autumn of 1888, the night-time streets of London’s poorest, most deprived neighborhood were haunted by a serial killer. You will stand on the cobblestones where Catherine Eddowes’ body was discovered and see where the few clues to the murders were found.
    • Visit Her Majesty’s Prison Wormwood Scrubs, which is a Category B men’s prison, to learn about the history of the facility and the British penal system
    • Admission to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, which covers the period from 1881 to 1904. The world-famous consulting detective Sherlock Holmes lived at 221b Baker Street during those years, according to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
    • Visit the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, commonly known as the Old Bailey, to observe proceedings alongside a lawyer, learn about the history and architecture of this iconic building, and discuss some of the famous trials that have taken place there involving notable historical figures and landmark cases.
    • Meet with a former police officer from the Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard), which is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London
    • Guided tour of the Royal Court of Justice, commonly called the Law Courts, which houses the Court of Appeal of England and Wales and the High Court of Justice of England and Wales
    • Admission to the Tower of London, which was a place of imprisonment and execution under the Tudors and a treasure house for the priceless Crown Jewels and the Royal Armouries

  • DAY 8-12: LONDON - STONEHENGE - WINDSOR

    • Day trip by private bus Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.
    • Admission to Stonehenge, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List for its outstanding prehistoric monuments dating from 3,700 to 1,600 BC. The unparalleled stone circle is surrounded by a landscape containing more than 350 burial mounds and major prehistoric monuments such as the Stonehenge Avenue, the Cursus, Woodhenge and Durrington Walls.
    • Audio -guided tour of Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world that holds a central place in British royal heritage. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been the home of 40 monarchs and is used for ceremonial and official occasions by the British royal family.
    • Free day in London
    • Guided Tour of the UK Supreme Court: Located in Parliament Square, learn about the highest appellate court in the land, its creation in 2009, and how it handles landmark constitutional and criminal law cases.
    • Visit the Bow Street Police Museum: Located nearby in the historic Bow Street Magistrates’ Court building. Discover the history of the Bow Street Runners—London’s first official police force.
    • Meet with a UK-based criminal justice charity or prison reform group (such as the Howard League for Penal Reform) to discuss modern alternatives to incarceration and rehabilitation policies.
    • Free time for final souvenir shopping or independent exploration.
    • Farewell dinner at a classic London restaurant to wrap up the program.
    • Departure from London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

  • What’s included in this sample itinerary:

    Academic and professional excursions with special presentations • cultural excursions and field trips with local, bilingual guides • entrance fees and reservations • accommodation in 3-star hotel (twin rooms for students; single room for the faculty) • daily breakfast • welcome and farewell dinner •  local transportation by private bus as needed • public transportation passes in London (zone 1-2) • on-site coordinator during excursions • orientation sessions • time to study, instruct, and explore

Programs require a minimum of 12 participants.

Your custom quote will be tailored to several key factors, including:

  • travel dates
  • final group size (including faculty leaders)
  • program duration
  • specific excursions
  • your preferred accommodation and meal plans
  • other specific requirements

How to Plan with Alternatives in Mind:

As part of our commitment to sustainability and cultural respect, we invite you to make eco-conscious choices for your study abroad journey. Choosing accommodations just outside major city centers is a powerful way to preserve Europe’s heritage and in many cases, offers a more authentic cultural experience.

Together, we can develop programs that make a difference! 

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Accomodation

By exploring nearby housing options instead of staying in major European cities, we can minimize our impact on overtourism. Ask us about the "second city" strategy.

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Pack light

Every extra kilogram on a plane, train, or bus increases energy consumption. A "carry-on only" rule is a win for both the planet and your back.

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Cultural Behaviour

Learn the "Golden Three": Learning "Hello," "Please," and "Thank you" in the local language is more than a courtesy; it signals respect for the local identity and immediately changes the dynamic of your interactions.

Travel routes

By basing a program in one location and building in day excursions, we can minimize the environmental impact.

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Eat "KM 0"

Look for restaurants with the "Kilometro Zero" label (common in Italy and Spain), which guarantees ingredients are sourced locally.

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Water

Refill Stations: Europe has some of the cleanest tap water in the world. Use apps like Refill to find public fountains and avoid buying plastic bottles.

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Climate Action

We offset the carbon footprint of our operations and programs, and plant one native tree for each participant in a CEPA study abroad program.

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Travel in the "Shoulder" Season

Visiting in March or October helps distribute income to locals year-round and prevents the "ghost town" effect that happens in tourist hubs during winter.

Interested in running a similar program or building one from scratch?

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