Criminology and Psychology (Q98)

Criminology and psychology help make sense of crime, criminalisation, criminals and victims. Studying this qualification provides you with a critical understanding of both subjects. You'll be able to question and develop your own beliefs and understandings about crime and harm. You'll consider criminal acts and human motivations, and then look beyond them to examine the social conditions in which crime occurs. You'll relate this to the exercise of power in response to crimes, the nature of conflicts when people interact (individually, in groups or as nations) and how and why societies determine what they will and won’t tolerate.

Key features of the course

• Helps you understand how criminology makes sense of crime, harm, conflict, victimisation, criminal justice and criminalisation.

• Shows how psychology explains human interaction and conflict and how this helps interpret crime, criminalisation and victimisation.

• Builds advanced critical, analytical and communication skills, and takes an original approach to teaching criminology and psychology.

• Enhances your employability in vocational areas, such as the criminal justice system and various social services.

Course Modules

This criminology and psychology degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

In Stage 1, you'll study a wide range of social science issues and topics, including the themes of crime, justice and power and their role in shaping how criminological topics are defined and understood. You’ll choose between looking at how psychologists investigate thinking and behaviour, including topics such as how juries make decisions, and a broad introduction to psychology and counselling.

In Stage 2, you'll learn how psychologists have studied both practical and theoretical issues, such as nationalism and sexuality, with a particular emphasis on understanding and solving problems that directly affect people’s lives. You'll also explore ways in which criminology seeks to explain problems of crime and understand the role of criminal justice and experiences of victimisation.

At Stage 3 you'll complete your degree by exploring the fascinating relationship between counselling and forensic psychology as well as crime and harm in both global and local contexts, and in particular, the role of states in shaping understandings of, and responses to, crime and harm.