Criminology and Psychology (Professional Placement Year)

Study the links between the mind and criminal behaviour with our Criminology and Psychology degree.

• One of only a few combined courses accredited by the British Psychological Society.

• Explore crime and disorder including green, maritime and digital crimes.

• Develop transferable skills that you can take into a range of careers.

Gain a deep understanding of the psychological, sociological and biological causes of criminal behaviour, as well as crime prevention, intervention, and criminal rehabilitation.

Our Psychology and Criminology degree develops your critical thinking skills, research abilities, and an understanding of the complexities of criminal behaviour. You'll develop skills that you can take into a range of careers, including:

• communication

• planning and project management

• an understanding and consideration for ethics.

In your Criminology modules, we explore crime and disorder, such as green crime, maritime crime and crime on social media. You’ll also examine criminal justice and crime prevention. In your study of Psychology, you’ll learn the core perspectives of psychology, along with research methods, data collection and analysis.

After graduating, you'll be able to pursue a career in which understanding the mind and criminal behaviour is essential. For example, you could enter law enforcement, criminal justice or social work. Our accreditation from the British Psychological Society means you can also study Psychology at a higher level in preparation a career as a psychologist.

Combined Honour Awards
At Bath Spa University many of our undergraduate programmes can be combined, so you don’t have to limit yourself to one subject. If you choose to study a combined award then in Year One you’ll start by studying both subjects in equal depth. From Year Two you can choose whether to continue with equal numbers of modules from each subject, or whether you want to select additional modules in one or the other. Upon successful completion of the programme you will graduate with a joint degree.

More about the Professional Placement Year
A Professional Placement Year (PPY), traditionally known as a sandwich year, is where you undertake a period of work with an external organisation for between 9-13 months. The placement occurs between your second and final years of undergraduate study. You can engage in multiple placements to make up the total time and are required to source the placement(s) yourself, with support from the Careers team.

Year one
Build the foundations and develop the core knowledge and skills you’ll need in both strands of your course.

In your Criminology studies, you'll examine crime statistics, criminal justice and criminological theory.

You’ll also explore the main areas of psychological science, with an introduction to research methods and data analysis skills.

Year two
In your second year you’ll take on further depth and challenges.

In your Psychology modules, you’ll take a closer look at biological, cognitive, developmental and social psychology, and advance your understanding of research methods. In Criminology, you’ll study contemporary debates, criminal justice, and policing. You'll also be supported and encouraged to take a work placement.

Year three
You'll take your Professional Placement Year between your second and final years.

Year four
You’ll explore how Psychology is applied socially and commercially to solve real-world problems. You’ll also design and develop your Psychology dissertation project. Working under specialist supervision, you'll collect and analyse data and write up your dissertation research report.

You can choose from Criminology modules that focus on punishment and penology, victimisation, and terrorism.

We use a range of assessments to gain a comprehensive measure of your performance. Assignments may include essays, debates, book reviews, exams, portfolios, creative work, contributions to online resources, presentations, reports, in-class tests, reflective writing and individual and group projects.