BSc (Hons)

Psychology with Criminology

Our BPS accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology degree combines two complimentary perspectives to give you a cross-disciplinary approach towards your future career.

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Key Course Details

  • UCAS Code

    C8M7

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,535*

  • International students

    £16,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £785*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

  • UCAS Code

    C9M7

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,535*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

You’ll look at the inner workings of the human mind and explore how this affects patterns of criminal behaviour from motivation to offend through to handling wrongful accusations and victim impact.

DESIGNED FOR

This course is ideal for you if you are interested in becoming a criminal psychologist or working within the criminal justice system. The cross-disciplinary approach enables you to look at criminal behaviour under a psychological lens to understand the motivations and consequences of crime and its perpetrators, as well as preventative measures.

Accredited by

  • The British Psychological Society

Career paths

  • Forensic Psychology
  • Prison Service
  • Probation
  • Victim Support
  • Intelligence Gathering

Skills taught

  • Critical Thinking
  • Communication
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • Cognitive Interviewing
  • Research

We make a difference in practice, not just on paper. Our courses are designed by people who offer jobs - and taught by people who have real work experience.


Course Highlights

Psychology Plus

Our Psychology Plus scheme offers free opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge base with specialist short courses, professional certificates, and work placements.

Outstanding facilities

On this degree, you will have access to our amazing psychology facilities, as well as the use of the Hydra Simulation Suite Centre for scenario-based simulation learning.

BPS Accreditation

Our BSc Psychology with Criminology and Criminal Justice is accredited by the British Psychological Society for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

External Partnerships

Our Psychology programme powers up your prospects through partnership. You will be challenged to apply your learning to real life practical issues and provide reviews and reports to update partners on your findings.

Module Overview

You will take 80 credits of psychology modules as well as 40 credits of criminology modules. You will start to look at the core areas of Psychology and experience psychological research first hand. We will also introduce you to the criminal justice system and explore the patterns of crime and criminal behaviour and its impact on society.

Perspectives in Criminology: Developmental Criminology
Focuses on identifying risk/protective factors and why people commit crime (developmental, biological, psychological social) and considers means of intervention to prevent reoffending.

Inside the Criminal Justice System
Follows the journey through the criminal justice system, from arrest, court, custody, and release through to parole. We consider the legal processes at each stage and explore how individual differences may affect treatment.

Critical Perspectives in Psychology
Introduction to the core BPS perspectives of psychology (Biological, Cognitive, Social and Developmental) and the effect of individual differences on behaviour with emphasis on the key theoretical approaches and how these shape understanding.

Investigating Methods and Evidence in Psychology*
We will look at the process of conducting ethical research in Psychology and analysing the data produced. We will explore both quantitative and qualitative approaches, readying you for psychological research in your future.

*This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh

Continuing with the 80 credits to 40 credits split of your first year, we will continue with the core areas of psychology, whilst also introducing you to some key issues and debates that surround prisons and policing, resettlement after release, and violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV). 

Prisons and Imprisonment
We will focus on the key issues and debates surrounding prisons, such as why we use them and the history behind them. You will also explore surrounding issues of the prison system such as prisoner resettlement.

Understanding VAWDASV
This module focuses on violence against women (domestic abuse and sexual violence), the prevalence of this and the matter of reporting of it. We regularly invite external speakers to assist your learning within this module.

Professional Practice and Employability
You will have the opportunity for work experience, as well as gain transferable skills and explore how to gain employment.

Advanced Methods and Evidence in Psychology
We will explore more advanced statistical and qualitative analysis, building on the methods you covered in the first year of your degree.

From Cells to Consciousness
We will build on the critical perspectives of psychology covered in your first year, exploring how biology and the brain influence behaviour (e.g., attention, memory, decision making) with consideration of individual differences.

Lifespan Development in the Social Context
We will build on your critical perspectives in psychology, exploring the social and developmental factors that influence our behaviour (e.g., attitudes and attribution) with consideration of individual factors.

In your final year, you will take a compulsory 40 credit dissertation plus a 20-credit specified forensic psychology module and a 20-credit specified criminology module looking at criminal investigations alongside two optional modules of your choosing, one in psychology and one in criminology.

Applied Criminal Investigation (Specified)
Follows the journey from crime scene to court room for different types of crime, such as VAWDASV and homicide, exploring how we can think critically about the investigative process using real examples.  

Understanding Homicide (Optional)
We will look at the social and legal meaning of different types (confrontational, revenge, corporate etc.) of homicide, covering causes of offence, the investigative process, and crime prevention.

Contemporary Issues in Youth and Crime (Optional)
We will build on your criminal justice system knowledge with emphasis on youth and crime, focussing on current issues and the role of the media/politics on youths, looking at examples such as youth gangs and bullying and social media.

Terrorism, Security & Extremism (Optional)
The evolution of terrorism and the processes of radicalisation. We will look at tackling extremism and prevent radicalisation, as well the debates around the rights of individuals against surveillance. 

Health Psychology across the Lifespan (Optional)
We will explore the effect of biology, psychology and social factors on physical health (ill health, preventative healthcare and wellbeing) and consider how this varies across the lifespan and levels of individual responsibility.  

Psychology Dissertation
You will complete an independent research project, building on the skills developed throughout your degree. You will explore a subject of interest of your choosing with support from supervisors with a range of expertise.

The Psychology of Education and Work (Optional)
We will focus on the practical application of psychology to contemporary education, exploring techniques to promote academic achievement and considering the health and well-being of educators.

Psychological Disorders and Therapeutic Interventions (Optional)
We will explore clinical disorders, such as eating disorders, anxiety, developmental disorders, and schizophrenia, evaluating the diagnostic and treatment practices of these.

Applications of Social Psychology (Optional)
We will look at social identity and how it can be used to improve negative circumstances, exploring the impact of the environment on social identity and using this to promote responsible behaviour, as well as social relationships online.

Cognitive Neuropsychology and Neuroscience (Optional)
We will explore the impact of brain damage on cognitive processes, exploring the ways we investigate neuroanatomical regions whilst considering environmental factors.  

Forensic Psychology (Specified)
We will focus on the practical application of contemporary forensic psychology, considering police and security investigation, psychological aspects of CJS and psychological aspects of offender management.

 

Course Highlights

How you’ll learn

We provide you with an engaging and immersive learning environment through lectures, workshops, tutorials, projects, group activities, placements, podcasts, and simulation learning in the Hydra Simulation Suite. We also arrange guest lectures throughout the year delivered by academics from other institutions and practising psychologists from various fields.

We want you to have the opportunity to explore psychology, criminology and criminal justice in new ways, with varied means of delivery and assessment across all modules: one of our most exciting features is how varied the learning is on our course! Coursework will include essays, practical reports, oral presentations, and case studies.

Teaching staff

  • Laura Drummond, course leader 

Our academic staff are passionate about psychology and are heavily involved in current psychology research across a range of specialist fields, so your teaching comes from staff at the forefront of their research areas. Tutors specialise in a range of fields, including developmental disorders across the lifespan, health behaviour and sport psychology.   

Placements

You will have specific opportunities throughout the course to apply and understand psychological theory to the workplace, with additional focus for these opportunities in the Professional Practice and Employability module as part of your second year. You can also opt to volunteer for longer than the required hours in your allocated placement setting, or volunteer to support a range of activities across different settings. 

We want to help you enhance your skillset to open as may doors as possible for your future career, and you can also find a range of options for this through our Psychology Plus scheme. 

Facilities

Our psychology facilities include a purpose-built psychology lab filled with industry standard equipment that you will use throughout your studies, as well as interview and observation rooms that allow you, as a researcher, to observe human behaviour in a natural manner through a one-way screen. 

On the BSc Psychology with Criminology and Criminal Justice degree, you will also utilise the Hydra Simulation Centre for scenario-based learning, using a mix of video clips, audio clips and written tasks to explore your ability to make decisions and take action, investigating the consequences of your decisions.

Accredited by

Why USW?

Psychology student working in the psychology lab on-campus.
  • Accredited by The British Psychological Society 

Why USW?

94%

of students are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating from USW.

National Student Survey
  • Accredited by The British Psychological Society 


Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

Graduates with 2:2 or higher will receive the Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society, meaning that they are able to go onto further specialised study in forensic psychology, if desired, or onto specialised professional training in your chosen area. You could also look at further specialist studies in criminology, such as the MSc Crime and Justice or the MSc Working with Adult and Young Offenders degrees.  

 

Possible career paths

A popular career path for students on this course is that of Forensic Psychology: Forensic Psychologists look at the people involved in the criminal justice system – with a particular focus on those who commit crimes. They consider all parts of the system, from the psychology behind police investigations and juror decisions to assessing risk and implementing intervention. Forensic Psychologists consider mental health, early life experiences and trauma, as well as individual situations and review this information and propose evidence-based solutions to help prevent reoffending in the future.

Careers support

We work with some great external partners such as Gwent Police and Platfform, offering you opportunities throughout your degree to network and create relationships that will be beneficial to your future career. You will complete many of your assignments to live briefs from these partners, giving you the opportunity to really showcase what you can do. You will also have the chance to apply to work with our Cold Case Unit and Miscarriages of Justice Project whilst you are here, a chance to get hands on experience that looks amazing on your CV.

Sandwich years

A sandwich year enables you to apply the knowledge gained during your degree to real-world work situations. You’ll equip yourself with a transferable skillset and gain invaluable work experience that will help you to stand out to potential employers in future job applications. A sandwich year also provides a fantastic opportunity to network and, if you impress your employer, you may even find you have a job waiting for you when you graduate. Many employers like to take on dedicated employees as showcased via a sandwich year placement scheme.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

UCAS points: 96 (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: CCC to include a relevant subject
  • BTEC: Merit Merit Merit in a relevant subject
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate: C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and CC at A Level with a relevant subject
  • Access to HE: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points.

Additional requirements include:

The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances. 

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£9,535

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*
UK Part-time Fee

£785

per 20 credits*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

Additional Costs 

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment. 

*Obligatory.

 Students will be expected to pay for a DBS or certificate of good behaviour from their home country. The DBS fee includes £49.50 for the enhanced DBS certificate, the Post Office Administration fee and the online administration fee

Cost: £64.74

Subscription required for each year of the course for a yearly fee of £16. Please note the service has to be joined within 30 days of receipt of your enhanced DBS certificate

Cost: £16

Students undertaking placement as part of professional practice modules may incur costs associated with travel to placement.

Cost: Variable

University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.


Life at USW

Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.

How to apply

All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)

Advanced entry

If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.

International admissions

International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.