BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology degree • City, University of London

This course is for 2022/23 entry. Details for 2023/24 entry are also available.

What is unique about this course?

Key information

This BPS-accredited degree is your first step to becoming a chartered psychologist. Combining psychology with criminology, it is ideal if you’re interested in becoming a criminal psychologist or working in criminal justice. You will develop strong research and analytical skills that are also highly sought-after in many other professions.

Start date

September 2022

UCAS code

L3C8

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years with placement or study abroad year

Institution

City, University of London

Location

Northampton Square

Entry requirements

Below is a list of countries with information on each about which qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

IELTS:

6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component

PTE Academic: 59 overall with a minimum of 59 in each component
Cambridge ESOL: CPE grade C or above

English language programmes

Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

Online pre-sessional English

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Prospectus

Course overviewCriminology and Psychology BSc (Hons) course overview

You will develop a strong understanding of the main areas of psychology – cognition, development, biology and the history of psychological theories – as well as key theories and concepts of criminology and criminal justice.

Learning from research-active staff and practitioners across two academic departments, you will have the opportunity to study topics combining your two specialisms, including: forensic psychology, memory and the law, and judgement and decision making.

Acquire criminological expertise and skills to give you the competitive edge in applying for careers in crime and crime control, criminal justice system and related fields
Develop the research expertise to investigate crime and criminal justice data, applying technical skills to carefully appraise evidence
Gain analytical skills to engage critically with real-world criminal justice policy debates
Study a broad range of topics within the discipline of psychology, including the application of psychological knowledge in a range of professional areas
Shape your studies to suit your interests, with a very wide range of elective modules
Boost your employability with BPS-accreditation and highly sought-after data literacy skills.

Accreditation

British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation leads to a Graduate Basis for Registration of the BPS (GBR) if you obtain at least a lower second class honours degree and successfully complete the psychology project in the third year of your degree.

Structure

Course content

During your three-year Criminology and Psychology BSc degree, you will study in two research-based departments. You will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as study a broad range of fascinating topics.

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3

Year 1

Develop core knowledge in biology, psychological theories, concepts in criminology, and research design.

Cognitive Approaches to mind and behaviour (15 credits)

This module will provide you with an introduction to some of the diverse areas of Cognitive Psychology, such as the nature of perception, information processing, attention and memory, and enable you to evaluate theory and research findings.
History and Theory of Psychology (15 credits)

This module introduces some major historical and theoretical issues in psychology, and place modern psychology in its historical context. You will learn about the philosophical origins of Psychology, introspection, behaviourism, psychodynamic theory, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology and the rise of neuroscience.
Biological approaches to mind and behaviour (15 credits)

This module introduces the biological bases of behaviour including the role of the nervous system, the structure of nerve cells, the organisation of the nervous system, the brain and behaviour, physiological mechanisms and the role of neural bases.
Lifespan Psychology (15 credits)

This module introduces you to a) the main concepts in life-span developmental psychology b) biological, physical, and psychological changes across the lifespan c) questions such as the nature versus nurture debate and theories of developmental change.
Research Design and Analysis (Quantitative Methods) (15 credits)

In this module you will learn about the basic idea of hypothesis testing, and some different types of hypotheses we can test. By the end of this module you will have gained a grounding in the basics of interpreting data and using it to answer research questions. This will set you up to tackle the other research methods modules in the degree, and also help you make sense of psychology findings reported in books, journal articles, and other modules.
Research Design and Analysis (Laboratory Methods) (15 credits)

This module aims to provide an initial grounding in the nature and principles of research. You will be introduced to qualitative research and how it contributes to the discipline of psychology. With an overview of qualitative design and qualitative methods.
Introduction to Criminology (15 credits)

This module provides an introduction to key issues, perspectives, and debates in criminology, and focuses on ‘structural’ approaches to understanding crime and criminal justice.
Criminal Justice (15 credits)

This module provides an introduction to key perspectives, policies and practices in criminal justice. You will examine different theories and models of criminal justice and explore how these theories shape the state’s reaction to criminal offending and victimisation.

Year 2

Deepen your understanding of the subject with core psychology modules that meet the requirements of the British Psychological Society, alongside criminology and victimology.

Research Methods in Psychology (15 credits)

Research methods are integral to Psychology and you need to be familiar with a range of techniques. You will learn the principles of sound data collection, and gain an understanding of the role of experimental design for testing psychological theories. The experience you will gain will complement the statistical methods module (PS2010).
Statistical Methods in Psychology (15 credits)

An understanding and use of a range of statistical methods is integral to the field of Psychology. You will develop the skills and knowledge to best analyse a given data set, to test various psychological theories. The skills you will learn will complement the research methods module (PS2009).
Cognitive Psychology (15 credits)

This module provides you with an overview of some of the diverse and developing areas of cognitive psychology and enables you to evaluate theory and research findings in cognitive psychology.
Biological Psychology (15 credits)

This module will introduce you to the biological foundations of behaviour. You will learn about: the electrochemical basis of behaviour, the structure of the nervous system, and the neurophysiological basis of perception, action, memory and learning
Developmental Psychology (15 credits)

This module provides an understanding of theory and research in the field of child development, develops your ability to reflect critically upon the nature of theories of child development, as well as the methods used in developmental psychology
Social Psychology (15 credits)

This module provides a) a critical overview of theory and empirical work within social psychology b) an understanding of contemporary questions in social psychology c) an ability to reflect critically upon different social psychological theories and empirical research.
Personality and Differential Psychology (15 credits)

This module aims to cover two of the main concerns in psychology: the nature of human personality and the measurement of individual differences. These two concerns are of both theoretical and applied importance and are, therefore, part of the core training of a psychologist.
Victimology (15 credits)

The aim of the course is to allow you to develop an in depth understanding of criminal victimisation, and some of the economic, cultural, psychological, political and social factors that shape both the phenomenon and the response to it.

Year 3

Conduct your own in-depth research project in psychology. Select six specialist modules from our expert staff, who are active researchers and practitioners.

Project in Psychology (30 credits)

This module gives you the opportunity to learn about the research process through individual development of a research project, from the initial formulating of a research question through to the final written report.
Memory and the law (15 credits)

This module will provide you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge of current research and theories in the psychology of memory while applying it to practical situations involving the law.
Introduction to Clinical Psychology (15 credits)

This module provides you with an overview of the field of clinical psychology, therapy, and the different specialities in which Clinical Psychologists work.
How the Neurosciences inform Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (15 credits)

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to learn about a neurobiological perspective on mental illness.
Introduction to Counselling Psychology (15 credits)

This module provides an overview of theoretical approaches to counselling psychology and the implications of these to our understanding of human nature, change, and potential. In addition you will evaluate psychotherapy outcome research, and ethics will be presented and discussed.
Forensic Psychology (15 credits)

The role of psychology in a number of forensic applications will be considered, and the relevance, utility and validity of key psychological research and theory within these applications will be examined.
Decision Making and Behavioural Economics (15 credits)

This module will a) provide you with knowledge and understanding of psychological research in the field of judgment and decision making b) enable you to reflect critically on different psychological theories c) introduce approaches from other areas of cognitive science.
Approaches to Autism (15 credits)

This module uses the phenomenon of autism to illustrate ways in which a range of existing psychological theories can be used to increase our understanding of autism, yet can also be modified by the constraints made of their application to autism.
Health Psychology and Behaviour Change (15 credits)

This module introduces you to key debates, theoretical perspectives and research methodologies in health psychology. It enables you to think critically about key issues in health psychology, use theory to help solve real-world problems and evaluate practical applications of health psychology.
Organisational Psychology (15 credits)

This module explores ways in which managers and employees manage motivation, behaviour and development and places individual and organisational behaviour in the broader context of social, economic and political forces.
Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (15 credits)

This module will extend and deepen your knowledge of selected theoretical issues in the emerging field of social and cognitive neuroscience. The topics presented are intended to give a flavour of the field, and to illustrate the strengths and limitations of the methodological tools that are employed within fields of neuroscience.
Introduction to Educational Psychology (15 credits)

This module will explore the application of psychological theory and research to education. You will learn about what educational psychologists do, and explore a range of special educational needs, as well as the concept of inclusion. We will cover themes relating to cognition, learning and teaching, as well as social, emotional and behavioural issues.
Social Psychology for Behaviour Change (15 credits)

In this module, you will learn how to translate and apply the knowledge derived from empirical evidence to build tools to change behaviour, focusing on social behaviour.
Emotions (15 credits)

This module aims to a) provide you with up-to-date knowledge and understanding of scientific research in the field of emotion b) develop your ability to reflect critically upon different theoretical perspectives on the nature of emotions and their function.
Critical Psychology: Opportunities for a Progressive Discipline (15 credits)

This module introduces a critique of Western models of knowledge and explores critical perspectives in Psychology. The aims of the module are to invite you to reflect on the assumptions and bias in Mainstream Psychology, and how mainstream practices and assumptions may sustain unjust political, economic and societal structures.
Clinical Skills (15 credits)

Many psychology students have a strong interest to work in clinical settings. This module provides you with an introduction to applied clinical core skills, including skills for clinical assessments and treatment techniques, that are relevant to careers in various mental health services. The module ‘Introduction to Clinical Psychology’ (PS2008) must be taken as pre-requisite in the first term of Year 3.
From Genes to Behaviour (15 credits)

The aim of the module is to understand how factors in the past interact to make us who we are today. By studying everything from genes to behaviour, this module will bridge the different branches of psychology, from developmental psychology to clinical.
Practicing Psychology: Voluntary Experience (15 credits)

The module seeks to enhance career exploration and the development of relevant professional experience through voluntary work. This elective will introduce you to a series of competencies and employability skills that will enhance your career readiness. It will also raise your awareness of career options related to psychology.
Youth Crime (15 credits)

This module introduces the origins and development of youth justice, enables you to discuss and analyse youth and childhood within a sociological and criminological context, develops your understanding of youth crime and introduces you to emergent and contemporary issues in youth crime.
Policing (15 credits)

This module explores the shifts that are taking place in policing and security. From role and function, to the socio- criminological context within which contemporary policing happens, to operational methodologies and the issues that will define the future of policing.
Criminal Behaviour (15 credits)

This module develops an understanding of a) why and how human behaviour is criminalised b) types of criminal behaviour and the processes through which people become defined as criminals c) different methods of controlling criminal behaviour and the future forms of such behaviour.
Crime, Culture and the City (15 credits)

This module introduces you to advances in research on urban crime and culture. We will consider 150 years of relevant scholarship as well as cutting-edge developments in research and theory that illuminate contemporary debates and controversies.
Property and Crime (15 credits)

The majority of crime results from the illegal acquisition of property. This module examines the various offence types that fall within this significant category, including: burglary, shoplifting, fraud, robbery, and vandalism as well as the varied motivations for these crimes.
Criminal Justice in Crisis (15 credits)

This module focuses on emerging developments and key areas of ‘crises’ in the criminal justice policy field. It will enable you to evaluate research on, and critically discuss, key issues in the politics of crime control in both their historical and contemporary contexts.
Leisure, the Body and Deviance (15 credits)

The aims of the module are to address knowledge and seek an understanding of the body in the contexts of leisure and deviance with particular reference to violence, drugs, risk, pain and injury.
Micro-Placement (15 credits)

The micro-placement module is an exciting way to gain professional experience via short summer placements with a wide range of London-based employers. The programme aims to give you real-life exposure to the business environment and enhance your employability skills.
Industry Projects (15 credits)

Using knowledge and skills gained through your degree, you will work in small multi-disciplinary groups on real-life professional level practical projects for employers, choosing between 5 sector streams, such as policy, finance, community, business and arts and culture.

Download course specification:

BSc Criminology and Psychology 2022

Teaching and assessment

We encourage the development of independent learning skills, requiring you to take responsibility and initiative for your own learning.

We use lectures to provide facts, commentary and explanation of key content areas, and lab-based teaching to develop your skills and understanding of research methodology, statistics and report writing.

Self-directed tutorials are used for development of general skills in ICT and web-based information use. Throughout the course you will have a mixture of group project work, student-led seminar presentations and problem-based assessments.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed on a mixture of:

Essays
Problem-based assessments
Presentations
Class tests
Lab reports
Lab classes
End-of-year exams.

In your final year, you will be required to submit a dissertation based on your own empirical research, conducted under the close mentorship of an expert researcher.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

he balance of assessment will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2019/20 entry is as follows:

Assessment

Year 1

Written examination: 45%

Coursework: 55%

Year 2

Written examination: 32%

Coursework: 68%

Year 3

Written examination: 25%

Coursework: 75%

Overall workload

Approximate study time based on 2019/20 entry is as follows:

Workload

Year 1

Scheduled learning: 18%

Independent learning: 82%

Year 2

Scheduled learning: 18%

Independent learning: 82%

Year 3

Scheduled learning: 11%

Independent learning: 89%

Fees and funding

Fees for year 2022/23

£9,250

Overseas/EU

£18,220

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/ 23 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase, which is normally 2%.

Funding options

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

Fee waivers are available for this course.
Means tested support is available for 2022/23 entry.

Future finance loans

Future Finance offers students loans of between £2,500 and £40,000 to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. All students and courses are considered. All loans are subject to credit checks and approval for further details please visit our finance pages.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

Career

This degree equips you with skills for employment in psychologist roles within criminal justice institutions such as:

the Home Office
Ministry of Justice
police forces
third sector organisations that work with victims or offenders.

Your research, data and analytical skills will also be highly desirable for research and policy-making roles with these employers, as well as think tanks and research organisations working on the topics of crime and criminal justice.

Furthermore, this BPS-accredited degree gives a graduate basis for chartered membership required to become a chartered psychologist in any field of psychology.

How to apply

Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Apply now

You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.

You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60.

Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.

UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.

You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £26.50 application fee. If you want to apply to City, University of London only, you can make a single choice application at a reduced rate of £22.

For enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office

Complete the Admissions enquiry form

Call: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

Telephone lines are currently open between 10am - 3pm.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2022 should arrive at UCAS between September 2021 and 26^th January 2022. Applications that arrive after 26^th January 2022 will be considered only at City's discretion.

Contacting UCAS

Website: www.ucas.com

Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ

Telephone:

from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468

For callers with hearing difficulties:

from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

Our students

Student views: Nina

Our students' work

Final year BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology with integrated professional training student Nina shares her experience on the course. 6 minutes

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Academics

Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.

Dr Gemma Birkett

Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Department of Sociology and Criminology

Dr Carrie Myers

Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Sociology

Department of Sociology and Criminology

Dr Ava Green

Lecturer in Forensic Psychology

Department of Psychology

Key information

Entry requirements

UK

Mixed qualifications

Subject exclusions

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

AS levels

University preparation programmes

Access to Higher Education

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