Criminology and Psychology BSc (Hons)

at City University of London

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.
   

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.
 

Course content
 

During your three-year Criminology and Psychology BSc degree, 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
 

Develop core knowledge in biology, psychological theories, concepts in criminology, and research design. 

• Cognitive Approaches to mind and behaviour (15 credits)

• History and Theory of Psychology (15 credits)

• Biological approaches to mind and behaviour (15 credits)

• Lifespan Psychology (15 credits)

• Research Design and Analysis (Quantitative Methods) (15 credits)

• Research Design and Analysis (Laboratory Methods) (15 credits)

• Introduction to Criminology (15 credits)

• Criminal Justice (15 credits)
   

  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.

• Research Methods in Psychology (15 credits)

• Statistical Methods in Psychology (15 credits)

• Cognitive Psychology (15 credits)

• Biological Psychology (15 credits)

• Developmental Psychology (15 credits)

• Social Psychology (15 credits)

• Personality and Differential Psychology (15 credits)

• Victimology (15 credits)
   

  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)

• Memory and the law (15 credits)

• Introduction to Clinical Psychology (15 credits)

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

• Introduction to Counselling Psychology (15 credits)

• Forensic Psychology (15 credits)

• Decision Making and Behavioural Economics (15 credits)

• Approaches to Autism (15 credits)

• Health Psychology and Behaviour Change (15 credits)

• Organisational Psychology (15 credits)

• Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (15 credits)

• Introduction to Educational Psychology (15 credits)

• Social Psychology for Behaviour Change (15 credits)

• Emotions (15 credits)

• Critical Psychology: Opportunities for a Progressive Discipline (15 credits)

• Clinical Skills (15 credits)

• From Genes to Behaviour (15 credits)

• Practicing Psychology: Voluntary Experience (15 credits)

• Youth Crime (15 credits)

• Policing (15 credits)

• Criminal Behaviour (15 credits)

• Crime, Culture and the City (15 credits)

• Property and Crime (15 credits)

• Criminal Justice in Crisis (15 credits)

• Leisure, the Body and Deviance (15 credits)

• Micro-Placement (15 credits)

• Industry Projects (15 credits)

UK
 

A-level:

AAB
 

Tariff:

136 UCAS tariff points
 

International Baccalaureate:

32 points with 5 or better in three Higher Level subjects
 

BTEC:

DDD
 

GCSE:

A minimum of grade 4 (C) in GSCE English Language and Mathematics in addition to other outlined requirements.
 

Mixed qualifications

Typically the only scenario where we make conditional offers expressed as UCAS tariff points is when an applicant presents mixed qualifications, most typically a combination of A Levels and a BTEC qualification.
 

In this instance, we may make a tariff point offer to present the applicant with more flexibility on equivalencies. In this case, please be aware that we may still ask for a specific score across certain qualifications and subjects. E.g. 'This offer is conditional on you achieving 128 tariff points. This must include A Level Mathematics at grade B.'
 

Subject exclusions

We do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. These subjects will not be included in any conditional offer we make.
 

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

We welcome applications from students who are completing relevant EPQ Projects. Whilst we recognise the value of these projects in preparing students for independent learning at university, the EPQ is unlikely to form part of any conditional offer we make.
 

The EPQ will also not lower the specifics of any conditional offer we choose to make. We will consider the EPQ as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.
 

AS levels

We recognise that there will be differences of opportunity varying by school and college. As not all students will have the opportunity to sit AS Level exams, it is unlikely we will include AS Level grades in any offer we choose to make. Where students have completed an AS Level subject, we will consider this as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.
 

University preparation programmes

If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to take a foundation programme first. These programmes are designed to prepare students for entry to City's undergraduate courses.
 

Access to Higher Education

We welcome Access to Higher Education course applications from 'mature' students. These applicants will be considered on the basis of their own merits. Please be aware that Access students are often asked for further information to supplement their application, this is normally in the form of a questionnaire.

A typical offer for an Access applicant would be: Pass 60 credits, 45 Level 3 including at least 27 at distinction and the remaining 18 at merit. The Access qualification should be supplemented by at least a grade 4 (C) in Mathematics and English Language at GCSE.
 

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

Fees for year 2022/23
 

UK

£9,250

Overseas/EU

£18,220

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/ 23 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase, which is normally 2%.

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.