Psychology and Criminology

Our BSc Psychology and Criminology programme is perfect for students who want to explore two exciting and important subjects. By studying this course, you will gain a deep understanding of human behaviour and the human mind, while also learning about the causes, consequences, and prevention of crime.

The Psychology and Criminology degree is designed to give you the best of both worlds. Psychology helps you understand why people think and act the way they do, and you will explore topics such as human development, personality and individual differences, and behaviour patterns. Criminology modules will focus on crime: the causes of crime, the criminal justice system, and causes and consequences of criminal behaviour. This combination prepares you for a range of career opportunities in fields like forensic psychology, criminal justice, and more.

In criminology, you will look at why people commit crimes and how society responds to crime. This includes studying anti-social behaviour, deviant behaviour, and the impact of crime on communities. You will also learn about criminological theory, which helps explain crime from different perspectives.

Our programme offers an international perspective, allowing you to see how crime and justice work in different countries. This is important because crime is a global issue, and understanding it requires looking beyond just one country. You will also explore legal contexts and criminal contexts, which are crucial for anyone interested in working in law or justice.

Studying psychology and criminology together opens many doors. You could work in social policy, helping to shape the laws and rules that affect people’s lives. You might become a counsellor, using your knowledge of human motivation and behaviour to help others. Or, you could work in crime prevention, developing new ways to keep communities safe.

We believe in a hands-on, student-centred approach to learning. Our Psychology and Criminology degree combines theoretical knowledge with practical experiences to prepare you for real-world challenges in understanding and addressing crime and human behaviour.

Year 1:
Research Methods I (20 credits)
Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology (20 credits)
Study Skills for Psychology (20 credits)
Personality and Individual Differences (20 credits)
Legal Process (20 credits)
Introduction to Criminology (20 credits)

Year 2
Social Inclusion, Victimisation and Welfare (20 credits)
Understanding Crime, Justice and Punishment (20 credits)
The Brain, Biology and Cognition (20 credits)
Research Methods II (20 credits)
Developmental Psychology and Individual Differences (20 credits)
Volunteering: The Gateway to Employment (20 credits)

Year 3
Crime and Vulnerability (20 credits)
Gender, Race, Religion and Crime (20 credits)
Forensic Psychology and the Criminal Mind (20 credits)
Psychology Empirical Project (40 credits)
The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination (20 credits)

The programme uses a range of different assessment methods to provide students with the opportunity to extend their practical and academic skills and encourage independent learning.

These include innovative assessment methods such as academic posters, in-class skills assessments, group and individual presentations, research reports and research proposals, as well as traditional assessments such as academic essays and exams.