Criminal Pyschology

Explore the psychology of crime with our dynamic BSc Criminal Psychology degree. Blending psychology and criminology, this course examines what drives offending behaviour and how society responds.

You Will:

• Engage with specialist topics that explore the psychological and social factors influencing crime, trauma, and justice practices

• Develop your research skills through a structured pathway, leading to a final-year research project on a topic of your choice

• Be part of an innovative, interdisciplinary course designed to meet the growing demand for professionals who understand both human behaviour and crime

• Study in an inclusive, supportive environment with the option to complete assessments in Welsh

Course Modules

Your first year is all about building the foundations to thrive in the world of criminal psychology. You’ll sharpen your academic and research skills while exploring what drives criminal behaviour and how society responds. From understanding how crime is defined to examining the role of psychology in the justice system, this year sets the stage for an exciting journey into the complex relationship between psychology, criminal behaviour, and the systems designed to support both accountability and rehabilitation.

Modules:

• Study Skills

• Research Methods 1

• Research Methods 2

• Social Development

• Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice

• Attachment and Crime

• Introduction to Forensic Psychology

Year 2 (Level 5)

In your second year, you'll build on foundational knowledge by exploring more specialised areas within criminal psychology. You'll examine complex issues such as high-risk behaviours, neurodiversity, and the role of rehabilitation within custodial and community settings. You'll also continue to develop your understanding of research methods and data analysis, strengthening your ability to critically evaluate evidence and practice. This year encourages deeper reflection on how crime, behaviour, and justice are shaped by wider social and systemic factors.

Modules:

• Personality and Individual Differences

• Research Methods 3

• Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience

• High Risk and Dangerous

• Neurodiversity in Practice

• Working in Custodial and Community Settings

Year 3 (Level 6)

In your final year, you’ll bring together everything you’ve learned to critically examine advanced issues in criminal psychology and justice. You’ll explore complex themes such as trauma, vulnerability, multi-agency responses, and life inside the prison system, while also completing your own independent research project. This year challenges you to think deeply and reflect critically on the systems, policies, and practices shaping the lives of those within the criminal justice system.

Modules:

• Research Methods 4

• Research Project Dissertation

• Forensic Psychology

• Multi-Agency Working in the Criminal Justice System

• Clinical and Health Psychology (Optional)

• Trauma, Vulnerability, and Wellbeing in Policing (Optional)

• Life Inside Prisons, Prisoners and Penology (Optional)

A variety of authentic assessment strategies are used to assess your application of theory and research to practice. Assessments are inclusive and designed to support learners in an equitable way, ensuring that transferable real-world skills are developed across all levels of the degree. Assessments include essays, presentations, case studies, research reports, coursework and exams. In your final year, you’ll complete a research project (dissertation) on a topic of your choice. This independent project is your opportunity to showcase your ability to apply theoretical knowledge and research skills to a real-world issue within criminal psychology.

Teaching is delivered through inclusive and accessible methods, with students typically attending face-to-face sessions across multiple days each week, depending on module choices and timetabling. With theoretical knowledge consolidated via practical sessions.  You’ll also have opportunities to take part in optional site visits to criminal justice settings, such as a crown court and a working prison.