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

This course is for 2021/22 entry. 2022/23 entry is also available.

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 2021

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.

Apply now

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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

A particular strength of the BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology at City is that the degree is part of the City Q-Step Centre, a centre of excellence devoted to developing the data literacy and quantitative methods skills of undergraduate social scientists.

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-years, 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
Placement

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)

This module provides you with an initial grounding in the nature and principles of research, experimental methodology and application of statistical techniques in psychological research.
Research Design and Analysis (Laboratory Methods) (15 credits)

This module provides an initial grounding in the nature and principles of research. You will gain an understanding of a range of methodologies in psychology with a focus on practical research 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.

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.
How the Neurosciences inform Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (15 credits)

This module aims to a) help you understand, analyse and critically assess the biological models of mental disorders and appreciate their role in diagnosis and treatment b) encourage you to think about mental disorders and their treatment using a multidisciplinary approach.
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.
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.
Judgement and Decision Making (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.
Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience (15 credits)

This module provides you with up-to-date knowledge about three research topics studied from a cognitive neuroscience perspective: perception, attention and memory and helps you to develop skills of critical and analytical thinking and logical argument
Coaching Psychology (15 credits)

This module introduces you to the developing field of evidence based coaching and coaching psychology, from its history and development to issues with measuring and assessing Return on Investment.
Topics in Typical and Atypical Psychological Development (15 credits)

The aim of this module is to enhance your knowledge and understanding of typical and atypical psychological development in infancy, childhood and beyond. The module covers a broad range of interconnected topics and questions.
Programming for Psychologists (15 credits)

The purpose of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to learn basic skills in using software tools to implement psychological experiments and surveys, and to analyse psychological results.
Topics in Behavioural Economics (15 credits)

During this module you will a) discuss insights from behavioural economics b) gain an understanding of the determinants of human behaviour c) consider the application of behavioural economics research d) learn to communicate the content of a scientific paper on behavioural economics
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.
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.

Placement

You have the opportunity to undertake a work placement between the second and third years. If you opt onto a Q-Step pathway you will do a workplace Data Placement in Year 2 and have the opportunity to do an international placement between Year 2 and 3.

Download course specification:

BSc Criminology and Psychology

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 2021/22

£9,250

Overseas/EU

£17,860

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2021/ 22 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 2021/22 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.

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.

www.ucas.com

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 £23 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 £12.

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

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

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

If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, please use the contact details provided on the course page.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2021 should arrive at UCAS between September 2020 and 29^th January 2021. Applications that arrive after 29^th January 2021 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

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

Academics

Dr Gemma Birkett

Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Department of Sociology

Dr Carrie Myers

Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Sociology

Department of Sociology

Key information

Entry requirements

UK

Other suitable qualifications

INTO City, University of London

Kaplan International College (KIC) London

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