BSc(Hons) Criminology with Psychology
This course is open for applications
Page last updated 22 March 2023
Introduction
Study both subjects equally in your first year and then choose which you want to major in. Whichever direction you take, this dual degree will give you a strong grounding for lots of interesting careers.
Why study criminology with psychology?
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.
Why study at UWE Bristol?
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.
Where can it take me?
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.
Watch: The learning and teaching experience
Structure
Content
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Year one
You will study:
- Introduction to Criminological Theory
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Understanding Crime
- Introduction to Psychology
- Research Design and Analysis.
Study exchange (if applicable)
If you choose the study exchange option, you'll spend the first and/or second semester of Year two studying at another university.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
Year two
You will study:
- Contemporary Perspectives in Criminology
- Criminology in Action: Engaging in the Real World
- Nature and Use of Research (Criminology).
Plus, up to two optional criminology modules from (the number depending on credit requirements):
- Criminal Psychology
- Angels and Demons: Understanding and Managing Youth Offending
- Drugs, Crime and Society
- Prisons
- Crime, Media and Culture
- 'Difference', Race, Ethnicity and Diversity in Contemporary Society
- Contemporary Issues in Policing.
And one optional psychology module from:
- Mind, Brain and Development
- Identities in Psychology.
Placement year (if applicable)
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.
Final year
You will study:
- International Crime and Criminology
- Criminology Project or Criminology Placement.
Plus, up to two optional modules (the number depending on credit requirements) from:
- Victims and Victiminology
- Terrorism
- Protest, Policing and Public Order
- Punishment and Human Rights
- Risk and Risk Management
- Hate Crime: Offending, Victimisation and Policing
- Gender, Sex and Control
- Illegal Drugs: Problems, Markets and Policy
- Green Criminology: Environment, Crime and Justice.
And up to two optional modules (the number depending on credit requirements) from:
- Advanced Developmental Psychology: Theory and Practice
- Applied Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Aspects of Mental Health
- Cognitive Neuropsychology
- Constructing Gender in Society
- Forensic Psychology
- Health Psychology in Practice
- Human Sexuality
- Methods in Neuroscience
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Neurophysiology and Brain Imaging
- Principles of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Psychological Perspectives on Political Violence
- Psychology and Social Justice
- Psychology in the Community
- Psychology of Addiction
- Psychology of Appearance and Embodiment
- Psychology of Consciousness
- Psychology of Sport and Exercise
- Psychology of Work, Business and Organizations
- Psychopharmacology
- The Arts and Mental Health.
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 will inform you.
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
Learning and Teaching
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.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29% | 71% | 0% |
| 2 | 24% | 73% | 3% |
| 3 | 20% | 80% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Study time
During your degree, you'll have 12 hours of teaching and related activities each week.
Assessment
We'll assess your academic and practical skills using essays, seminar presentations, projects, literature reviews, and 'unseen' and 'seen' examinations.
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 45% | 55% | 0% |
| 2 | 35% | 48% | 17% |
| 3 | 42% | 49% | 9% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Features
Placements
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 organisations including Avon and Somerset Police, Bristol City Council or Victim Support. We also have strong links with the Bristol Young Offenders Scheme and Bristol Youth Education Service.
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 department staff and our award-winning careers service.
Study year abroad
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.
Study exchange
Study exchange allows you to take the first and/or second semester of Year two at a different university. Unlike the study year abroad, you'll complete modules to achieve equivalent credits. These modules will be decided in advance with your programme leader.
Explore our global study partners to find out which institutions participate in our exchange programme.
Study facilities
Learn in our modern, well-equipped department facilities, 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 participantsusing 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.
Get a feel for the Psychology, Sociology and Criminology facilities we have on offer here from wherever you are.
Life
Careers
Careers / Further study
BA(Hons) Criminology with Psychology at UWE Bristol 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.
Get inspired
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:
Fees
Indicative Additional Costs
Part Time Course
Full-time; sandwich course
Supplementary fee 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 four year course and then transfer to the three 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.
Additional costs
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.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 120
- Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
- GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English Language or Literature, Mathematics and Double Science, or equivalent. We do not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy as alternatives to GCSEs.
- English Language Requirement:
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 will need on the English Language requirements page.
- A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.
- EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- Access: No specific subjects required.
- Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.
- Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
- T Levels: No specific subjects required.
Entry requirements
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for BSc(Hons) Criminology with Psychology (with Foundation Year).
International applicants
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the Country Information pages. If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
International/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333
International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644