Psychology with Criminology
Learn how psychological science can help explain human behaviour and criminal activity on our BPS-accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology degree. You'll investigate real-world issues, challenge assumptions and develop skills valued by employers.
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UCAS Code
C8M7
Start Date
September 2026
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
96
Fees
Home students: £9,790*
International students: £17,200*
UCAS Code
Start Date
September 2026
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
96
Fees
Home students: £804*
UCAS Code
C9M7
Start Date
September 2026
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
96
Fees
Home students: £9,790*
International students: £17,200*
UCAS Code
C8M7
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
96
UCAS Code
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
96
UCAS Code
C9M7
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
96
Course Overview
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.
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.
Accreditations
Accredited by The British Psychological Society.
Why study this course?
What you'll study
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.
Focuses upon contemporary sociological and developmental theories of crime against a background of the classical ideas within the field.
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.
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.
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).
This module delves into the dynamics of violence. It explores the root causes, manifestations, and consequences of violence; and will also offer insights into effective prevention strategies.
The aim of this module is to equip students with the essential practical knowledge and competence required for effective investigative work, encompassing a broad spectrum of investigative techniques, tactics, and contemporary methodologies from within the field of complex investigations.
You will have the opportunity for work experience, as well as gain transferable skills and explore how to gain employment.
We will explore more advanced statistical and qualitative analysis, building on the methods you covered in the first year of your degree.
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.
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.
This module provides an in-depth exploration of the history and contemporary use of imprisonment, addressing key issues, debates, and theoretical underpinnings that have shaped the penal system in England and Wales. It traces the evolution of imprisonment from its origins in 'the birth of the modern prison' to its present-day application.
This module initiates an in-depth exploration into the multifaceted concept of homicide, delving into its social, legal, investigative and psychological perspectives.
The aim of this module is to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence (VAWDASV), including exploring theoretical perspectives.
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.
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.
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.
We will explore clinical disorders, such as eating disorders, anxiety, developmental disorders, and schizophrenia, evaluating the diagnostic and treatment practices of these.
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.
We will explore the impact of brain damage on cognitive processes, exploring the ways we investigate neuroanatomical regions whilst considering environmental factors.
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.
We regularly review our courses to keep pace with changing skills and employer needs. If a review leads to significant changes, we’ll contact you to explain what’s changing for the coming year.
Teaching and Assessment
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.
Our BSc Psychology with Criminology course provides you with an engaging and immersive learning environment through workshops, projects, group activities, placements, 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.
Assessments are designed to build your knowledge and skills step by step using a variety of assessment types.
You’ll move from essays to group dissertation projects, with the opportunity to work with our established industry partners.
As a BPS accredited degree, your assessments will include research reports alongside applied real-world challenges, with the opportunity to use our psychology laboratory facilities.
All students are guaranteed a 6-week placement in our on-campus Early Intervention Service, with opportunities to progress to Level 2 and 3 placements.
This provides you with practical experience and to be able to apply your psychological knowledge in practice.
As part of your degree, you will complete the Professional Practice and Employability module, where you understand and apply psychological theory to the workplace and are supported to complete a placement of your choice
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, including volunteering, internships and short courses.
Our purpose-built psychology lab is 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. Some of the equipment that you will use includes eye-tracking equipment, Electroencephalography (EEG) machines, and BIOPAC systems.
Our Psychology department includes teaching rooms, the psychology laboratory, staff offices, student kitchen, and spaces for students to socialise and learn together. This is all located together creating a strong student and staff community.
As part of our dedicated Psychology space, you will also be able to book a space for quiet study and access the dedicated social learning space with computers and psychology textbooks.
Course Leader
Laura Drummond
Meet Laura, she specialises in Health Psychology, with a focus on lifestyle behaviours including alcohol use, physical activity, and diet, and the mechanisms underpinning behaviour change.
Laura has a strong interest in the use of digital technologies, such as mobile apps, to support and sustain behaviour change. Laura adopts a student-centred, interactive teaching style, drawing on real-world case studies and evidence-based approaches. Her research interests centre on developing and evaluating behaviour change interventions, particularly those supported by technology.
Entry Requirements
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.
How to applyContextual admissions policyAsk us a question96 UCAS points or above
Typical qualification requirements
A Level:
CCC to exclude General Studies
Welsh BACC:
Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and CC at A Level to exclude General Studies
BTEC:
BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit
Access to HE:
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points
T Level:
Pass (C and above)
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.
International studentsPre-Sessional EnglishEnglish 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 4 overall and a minimum of 4 in each component 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.
Fees and Funding
per year
per 20 credits
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.
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.
Enhanced DBS
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
DBS Updating service
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
Placement
Students undertaking placement as part of professional practice modules may incur costs associated with travel to placement.
Cost: Variable
per year
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.
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.
Enhanced DBS
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
DBS Updating service
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
Placement
Students undertaking placement as part of professional practice modules may incur costs associated with travel to placement.
Cost: Variable
How to apply
Got your results? Apply online or call us today and, if you're eligible, secure our Clearing Package with benefits worth up to £3k to help you start university with more. Take the next step: Apply through Clearing
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).
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Apply direct
Psychology with Criminology
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Full-time, 3 years
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September
-
Pontypridd
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Apply direct
Psychology with Criminology
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Part-time, 6 years
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September
-
Pontypridd
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Apply direct
Psychology with Criminology
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Sandwich, 4 years
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September
-
Pontypridd
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-
Apply direct
Psychology with Criminology
-
Full-time, 3 years
-
September
-
Pontypridd
-
-
Apply direct
Psychology with Criminology
-
Part-time, 6 years
-
September
-
Pontypridd
-
-
Apply direct
Psychology with Criminology
-
Sandwich, 4 years
-
September
-
Pontypridd
-
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.
Applicants accepted through advanced entry may study a different combination of modules to those advertised, as they will be joining a course already in progress. You will be contacted and advised about these modules once your application has been processed and an offer made.
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.
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