BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology

On this, one of our more popular combined courses, we'll give you an expert insight into the causes and consequences of crime - and how it is dealt with by the criminal justice system. 

You'll gain a thorough understanding of core criminological theories, as we help you develop the psychological knowledge needed to apply insights to real-world issues and problems. 

You'll take a social sciences approach to criminology by studying and classifying crime, while learning how society responds to criminal behaviour. Additionally, on this course you will examine institutions and roles such as the police, courts, prisons and probation service. 

During the psychology part of this course, you'll study behaviour and its causes in biology, social contexts, mental processing and development.  Apply knowledge and insights while exploring how criminal behaviour may be explained, by understanding the factors that motivate people to commit crime. 

In the first two years you'll gain a solid grounding in both subjects, with introductions to the main aspects of criminology, criminal justice and psychology.

For the criminology part of the course, your studies will include contemporary issues in criminology, key theories, the legal framework, the characteristics of the criminal justice system and the historical context of crime and punishment.

In psychology, you'll gain knowledge and understanding of key and highly relevant areas such as developmental psychology, social psychology and forensic psychology, which is the study of criminal conduct.
As you progress into your final year you'll have a huge choice of around 27 options across both subjects to tailor your degree to areas of particular interest to you.

The modules you can choose from include Mentally Disordered Defendants and Suspects, Psychological Criminology, Preventing and Correcting Offending Behaviour and Mental Distress in Context. You'll also work on an in-depth project, carrying out your own research on a topic of your choosing.

We consistently review our courses to ensure we are up-to-date with industry changes and requirements from our graduates. As a result, our modules are subject to change.

• Tawjihi: 60% for Foundation
• 3 x AS Levels: Foundation
• US High School Diploma: GPA 2.0 for Foundation
• US High School Diploma: GPA 3.0 + SAT1 1070 for Direct Entry to Bachelor's
• International Baccalaureate (IB): 25 points with minimum 15 at Higher Level for Direct Entry to Bachelor's
• 3 x A Levels: Direct Entry to Bachelor's

Our Criminology and Psychology graduates have found work in a wide variety of stimulating roles. Some build their careers in directly related fields while others use the transferable skills they've learnt to pursue other opportunities.

We place a strong emphasis on preparing you for employment, with a specific employability module in year two geared towards providing you with the best advice on how to prepare for the job market and apply for positions.

Whether you decide to pursue a directly relevant career or not, you'll learn skills such as writing and presenting, the ability to make a case, meet deadlines and work independently – all skills that will appeal to employers in any sector.

Students have found jobs in a number of related areas, such as:

• The police, prison and probation services
• Central and local government
• Social work
• Voluntary organisations such as Victim Support
• The NHS

Our graduates have also found roles in other fields such as market research, journalism, and jobs in the public sector. Others have gone on to postgraduate study, either at UEL or elsewhere.

To enhance your career prospects, we run a dedicated employability programme for students in the School of Business and Law. Called 'Employ', it includes employability workshops, skills training sessions, guest speaker events, voluntary work, student ambassador roles and work experience opportunities.

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.