This course is open for applications
Page last updated 15 November 2024
BSc(Hons) Criminology with Psychology at UWE Bristol gives you the applied knowledge, practical experience and transferrable skills to rapidly progress in the career of your choice.
By studying crime, with the science of the mind, we can get a deeper understanding of how crime impacts individuals and society.
Exploring people's attitudes, beliefs and behaviour by looking at the theories, policies, processes and relationships that influence them is a crucial part of helping us develop better forms of crime deterrent, support and rehabilitation.
The knowledge base and skills these subjects give you will set you up strongly for many careers.
BSc(Hons) Criminology with Psychology is split equally between criminology and psychology, so you'll study both before choosing which to major in.
Supported by staff who are leading practitioners and active researchers, you'll study specialist modules, and get a deep understanding of crime, criminal justice, offenders and victims.
Apply theories and the latest research to real, contemporary issues.
Learn how to think critically, write reports, interpret data, formulate arguments, and make ethical judgements.
You'll carry out your own research, hear from guest speakers, and take part in work-based learning through our links with organisations such as Bristol Young Offenders Scheme, Bristol Youth Education Service and the police.
Activities such as volunteering, placements and internships will deepen your professional skills and knowledge further, to make you highly sought after when you graduate.
Criminology with psychology studies society in all its forms so it's the ideal platform for many jobs.
You could work in government, the police and prison services, the court services, the NHS, educational institutions, or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working with young offenders or victims of crime.
You could also go into social welfare or the private sector, working in private security or law.
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
All foundation year students study together and will take four compulsory modules covering introductions to Sociology, Criminology, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, and university level academic and study skills.
This will ensure that you have the necessary grounding across all the social science disciplines, enabling you to develop a range of perspectives that will enrich your learning at year one and beyond.
You'll study:
You'll study:
Plus, up to two optional criminology modules from (the number depending on credit requirements):
Plus one optional module from:
If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two.
You'll complete a placement learning module.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
You'll study:
Plus, optional modules (the number depending on credit requirement) from:
Plus, optional modules (the number depending on credit requirement) from:
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
At the end of year one, you'll choose whether to major in criminology, or to major in psychology and continue with criminology as a minor subject, visit Psychology with Criminology for more details.
If you want a degree that's recognised by the British Psychological Society, choose psychology as your main subject.
Learn through a mix of formal lectures, seminars, workshops, one-to-one tutorials and ICT-based learning. Seminars have a maximum of 20 students, to give you a good level of tutor input and support.
Work with experienced and enthusiastic academics, who incorporate their research into their teaching, to give you access to the latest ideas.
Carry out your own research, focusing on real-world issues that link into your career plans.
Take part in industry events and attend regular presentations from guest lecturers to learn about the latest industry challenges and best practice.
You'll build your research and IT skills, your literacy and numeracy, and your understanding of individuals, social institutions and processes.
We offer modules that differ in learning approach, so you can choose those that match your style.
Your tutors will be on hand to support you, and you'll have your own personal academic tutor, as a mentor and guide.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
We'll assess your academic and practical skills using essays, seminar presentations, projects, literature reviews, and 'unseen' and 'seen' examinations.
Learn more about assessments.
Students who go on work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought after graduate.
We have links with lots of organisations. You could work with Avon and Somerset Police, Bristol City Council or Victim Support, for example.
We also offer volunteering and other work-based experiences, to deepen your knowledge and skills.
You'll get help to find a placement and support throughout from staff within the School and our award-winning careers service.
You'll also have opportunities to study overseas on courses that are taught in English and are relevant to your degree. The study year abroad is not a paid placement.
Learn in our modern, well-equipped facilities within the School, including our advanced psychology labs where you can do your practical project work.
Carry out psychological tests using the latest systems, software and analytic instrumentation.
Record physiological data from participants using industry-standard biopac amplifier equipment.
Investigate perception and eye movements related to psychological phenomena in our advanced eye-tracking and perception lab.
You'll also have 24 hour access to our well-equipped university library, which has spaces for silent and group study and rooms you can book.
You'll have use of books, trade press, academic journals, and industry databases both on and off campus.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Psychology, Sociology and Criminology facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
We provide support in the way you need it.
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
This course provides the ideal platform for many careers.
Employers will value you for your level of practical skills, such as strong communication and critical thinking, and your industry-based experience.
Students go into careers in research, education, social work, counselling, charity work, healthcare, prison and court services, the police and the legal sector.
You could also go on to postgraduate study or a research degree including gaining accreditation from the British Psychological Society (BPS) through our MSc Psychology Conversion course.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
See also:
*The UK Government has set a tuition fee cap for some integral foundation years from 1st August 2025. The tuition fee cap is £5,760 and applies to home students only. The final list of integral foundation courses which will attract the lower fee has yet to be confirmed but is expected soon.
Any tuition fee which is impacted by this change will be updated in due course.
The tuition fee for years of study after the integral foundation year will be charged at a higher level which will also be updated on the course web page (also see below update).
Please see GOV.UK for further information.
*The UK Government recently proposed that tuition fees for Home students will increase by 3.1% to £9,535 from 1st August 2025. This increase is subject to Parliamentary approval and the vote is expected to take place later this year.
Any tuition fee which is impacted by this change will be updated following approval.
Please see GOV.UK for further information.
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the five year course and then transfer to the four year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
This refers to items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you'll need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
If you exceed the entry requirements you may be eligible for BSc(Hons) Criminology with Psychology.
If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through our International College, which upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to year one of the degree.
Read more about entry requirements.
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
International/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333
International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644