BSc(Hons) Criminology with Psychology

Entry year
2025/26
Course code
M9C8
Application
UCAS
Level
Undergraduate
School
School of Social Sciences
Tariff points
120
Campus
Frenchay
Duration
Three years full-time; four years sandwich; six years part-time
Delivery
Full-time; sandwich; part-time
Programme leader
Dr Kate Matheson

Page last updated 15 May 2025

This course is open for applications

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.

Personalised virtual tour

There's no need to visit us in person to explore our facilities and campuses. Take a personalised virtual tour and discover it all for yourself from wherever you are.

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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'll study:

  • Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • Introduction to Criminological Theory
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Research Design and Analysis 1
  • Understanding Crime.

Year two

You'll study:

  • Identities in Psychology
  • 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):

  • Angels or Demons? Understanding and Managing Youth Offending
  • Policing and Crime Prevention
  • Crime, Media and Culture
  • Criminal Psychology
  • 'Difference': 'Race', Ethnicity and Diversity in Contemporary Society
  • Drugs, Crime and Society
  • Mental Health, Crime and Criminal Justice.

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'll study:

  • Transnational Crime and Comparative Criminology
  • Criminology Project.

Plus, optional modules (the number depending on credit requirement) from:

  • Gender, Sex and Social Control
  • Green Criminology: Environment, Crime and Justice
  • Hate Crime: Offenders, Victims and the Criminal Justice System
  • Missing People: Lost Identities and Social Harm
  • Organised Crime
  • Prisons, Punishment and Human Rights
  • Protest, Policing and Public Order
  • Risk and Risk Management
  • Terrorism: History, Myths and Policy
  • Victims and Victimology.

Plus, optional modules (the number depending on credit requirement) from:

  • Animal Behaviour and Cognition
  • Constructing Gender in Society
  • Developmental Psychology: Contexts, Neurodiversity and Complexities
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Health Psychology in Practice
  • Human Sexuality
  • Principles of Counselling and Psychotherapy
  • Psychology and Social Justice
  • Psychology of Sport and Exercise
  • Psychology of Work
  • The Arts and Mental Health.

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.

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.

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.

Learn more about assessments.

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 staff within the School 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 facilities

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.

Watch: UWE Bristol graduate outcomes for Criminology

Life

Accommodation

An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

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 including gaining accreditation from the British Psychological Society (BPS) through our MSc Psychology Conversion course.

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:

The Guardian - what to do with a degree in psychology

Fees

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.

Learn more about 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.

Learn more about costs.

Entry

Typical offers

You will need to meet the following Level 2 requirements:

  • GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English, Mathematics, or equivalent.

In addition to the above Level 2 qualifications, you'll need to achieve the published tariff points from your Level 3 studies prior to entry. Below is an indicative list of the main qualification types. However, we will consider any Level 3 qualifications towards meeting our entry requirements.

  • Tariff points: 120
  • Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
  • 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'll 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. We accept the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
  • 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.

Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.

For further information

Unistats

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