You’ll study criminology and psychology to understand the causes and effects of crime while working towards British Psychological Society accreditation. Focusing on real-world knowledge and skills, you’ll examine the causes of offending behaviour, the effects of crime on victims and the operation of the criminal justice system.

Our Psychology courses are ranked 9th in the UK for teaching quality, and in the top 20 for student experience by The Times Good University Guide 2022. Our Psychology courses are also ranked in the top 20 in the UK for student & feedback satisfaction by the Guardian University Guide 2022.

Your lecturers use their expertise in both criminology and psychology to integrate insights from the two disciplines. You’ll have the flexibility to shape your own syllabus to suit your future plans, from qualifying as a forensic psychologist to joining the police service.

In your first year you’ll be given a firm grounding in both criminology and psychology – including the criminal justice system and the role of the psychologist in the system, and the foundations of research and theory in the social sciences. In the second and third years you can specialise your learning through optional modules in crime science, forensic psychology, policing in the community and the psychology of wellbeing.

You’ll also develop advanced skills in research design and analysis, directing your own research in an area that interests you. Throughout the syllabus you will be develop high-level skills and expertise to match your interests and career goals.

Learning takes place through lectures, seminars, and workshops, and also through practical exercises such as crime scene analyses, simulated forensic investigations, fieldwork and research projects. Assessments include crime scene reports, forensic reports, case studies, blogs and portfolios as well as traditional essays and exams.

Graduates from this course can go on to work in:

• psychology
• criminal justice and policing
• related roles in teaching and health and social care.

Careers which may require further training include:

• policing
• the probation and prison services
• victim support
• crime analysis
• forensic, clinical and educational psychology.