Criminology and Psychology BSc (Hons), sandwich with foundation year and work placement

When you work with criminals and their victims, the ability to understand people's emotions, thoughts and actions is vital. This combined BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology degree gives you a deep understanding of criminal behaviour, for a competitive edge in your career.

You'll explore why people commit crimes, the psychological fallout, and how rehabilitation works. Studying in one of the UK's largest criminology departments, your diverse options will also include specialist subjects such as forensic psychology.

By studying aspects of two different but related disciplines – psychology and criminology – you’ll open yourself to a wide range of career options. You’ll be a natural fit for roles relating to work with offenders or victims of crime. Both are areas where there will likely always be a demand for skilled professionals.

The psychology aspects of your studies will broaden your career options. Your understanding of the human mind and behaviour could lead you to specialist jobs, such as forensic psychology (with further training). Knowledge of psychology can also be an asset in a diverse range of roles outside of criminal justice - from market research to human resources.

With transferable skills in communications, critical thinking and analysis on your CV, you’ll be a very employable graduate.

What areas can you work in with a criminology and psychology degree?

Organisations you could work for include:

• the police force
• the probation service
• the prison service
• academic research
• victim and offender support charities

What jobs can you do with a criminology and psychology degree?

Our criminology and psychology graduates have gone on to jobs such as:

• investigative data analyst
• police officer
• defence and security analyst
• probation officer
• counter fraud intelligence analyst
• youth offending support officer
• offender case administrator

We are one of a select few universities in the UK recognised by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) - a global professional body for counter fraud professionals.

If you take the optional module Economic Crime and Fraud Examination on this course, you'll have the chance to complete the ACFE's Certified Fraud Examiner qualification at a subsidised rate.

I volunteer for the Police and Crime Commissioner, as the leader of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team in the Youth Commission, and have investigated crime rates in Portsmouth by working with the City Council.

Eleonora Chioatto, BSc (Hons) Criminology with Psychology

Ongoing careers support

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Careers and Employability Service to help you find your perfect role.

Placement year (optional)

After your second or third year of study, you can choose to do a paid work placement year in a criminal justice organisation, either in the UK or overseas. This lets you put your new skills to work while developing valuable links with employers.

It's fantastic for your CV and will really help you stand out when applying for jobs.

We'll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. With mentoring and support throughout your placement, you’ll have our support to get the most from the experience.

You could also choose to set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.

The best parts about undertaking a placement were being able to apply my learning in a professional environment, being able to work with those within the field I aspired to be in upon finishing my degree, and having the chance to gain more insight.

I returned to University with more experience, motivation to complete my degree and gained more understanding within my course.

Marcia Tanyanyiwa, Criminology with Psychology student

Potential destinations

Previous criminology and psychology placement destinations have included:

• a forensic psychology team
• HM Revenue & Customs
• Aurora New Dawn, a charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse
• Hampshire Constabulary
• Cabinet Office
• Penal Reform Solutions, which supports rehabilitation in prisons, probation and correctional services
• Circles UK, which supports the reintegration of sex offenders in the community

Study abroad

You can also spend this year studying overseas at one of our partner universities in Europe, South Asia or North America.