How does UEL support students’ future career prospects while studying this degree?

UEL embeds employability into the very structure of this course. From day one, you will have access to the Career Zone, a dedicated resource hub listing internships, graduate opportunities, volunteering options, and part-time jobs across the criminology, psychology, social care, and justice sectors. We support your career progression through: Professional Networking: Arranging employer networking events, mentorship programmes, and one-to-one career coaching. Work-Based Learning: Encouraging volunteering and placements with community safety organisations, youth services, or support groups to build your CV. Practical Competencies: Using psychology labs and research facilities to develop key employer-demanded skills, such as analytical thinking, empathy, data interpretation and communication.

BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology

Overview

This course is subject to revalidation.

BA Criminology and Psychology explores the motivations of human behaviour and how the darker side of our nature is dealt with by the criminal justice system. This criminology and psychology degree combines key theories from both disciplines, offering a robust interdisciplinary approach.

Through modules tailored to this dual major in criminology and psychology, the course is designed to:

give well-rounded insights into real-world issues
explore how and why people do what they do
help you study a broader study of society’s reactions to deviant behaviour, the combined social sciences approach helps with this.
cover a wide range of topics from the motivations of serial killers, to state crimes and miscarriages of justice.

This dual major in criminology and psychology provides a foundation for students interested in careers with a criminology and psychology degree, such as forensic psychology, criminal profiling, or case management. Over three years of study, institutions such as the police, courts, prisons, and probation service will be reviewed; developing a deeper understanding of their processes, functions, and challenges. Taught by a blend of former practitioners, active researchers, and radical criminologists you will be exposed to a variety of perspectives and develop critical analysis skills.

Course modules

We recently revised this course to equip you with the latest insights and research in the dynamic field of criminology. In Year 1, you'll build on your foundational knowledge by developing leadership skills and exploring critical issues such as cybercrime, race and ethnicity in the justice system, and youth crime policies.

This module will introduce students to the key thinking and research, historically and presently, about the causes and consequences of crime on society. It will also examine and explore many of the key issues that face us when trying to understand how best to deal with those who commit crimes. It will consider crime as a social construction, the construction of victims and perpetrators, and the ways in which crimes of the powerful are overlooked by focusing on working-class groups. It will explore the relationship between the media and police and the ways in which they impact meanings and perceptions of crime and criminals.

This module will examine the structural factors, including poverty, racism and discrimination, underpinning our understanding of crime and social justice. You will examine our responses to stress and develop practical mindfulness skills to deal with that stress, fully cognisant of its systemic origins, in order to empower us to resist and confront those systemic factors. You will have the opportunity to develop a proposal for a crime and justice project (e.g., a youth engagement project or a digital campaign to reduce hate crime or knife crime). Some of these projects will be implemented in groups at Level 5.

In this cognitive and developmental psychology module, we explore the mechanisms that process information about the world (such as perception, memory, and attention) and by which we develop our responses to it (e.g., by thinking, communicating, and shaping behaviour by our learning). In doing so, this module introduces core topics in cognitive psychology (which seeks to scientifically model how the mind functions) and developmental psychology (which seeks to understand change through the lifespan).

This module helps you develop understanding, and foundational skills, on the nature of research in criminology by providing an introduction to the varying approaches and practical ways for putting different methods into practice. It goes on to locate criminological research within a crime and justice policy framework in order to assess its practical restraints, ethical considerations and political implications.

The main aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the core fields of Social and Biological Psychology and Individual Differences. It will give you a foundation for understanding and evaluating these approaches within the discipline of psychology and an understanding of historical, social and cultural influences. You will also develop a knowledge of relevant key concepts and theories, providing a grounding for level 5 study of applied topics in these fields.

In Year 2, you'll explore theoretical criminology and forensic psychology, examining the interplay between psychology and the criminal justice system. Core modules emphasise essential skills for justice, the impact of crime policy, and the significance of individual differences and diversity. You'll also enhance your applied research and evaluation capabilities, preparing you for a successful career in criminology and related disciplines.

The main aims of this forensic psychology module are:

To introduce concepts and issues in forensic and criminological psychology.
To provide an overview of the historical, current and potential future relationships between psychology and the criminal justice system.
To provide a clear overview of how psychology has been used, and can further be used, to inform practical problems arising in the criminal justice system.

This module builds on Developing Skills for Justice at Level 4. In this module we will focus more on group work essential for success in the workplace. We will develop teamwork skills, group facilitation and active listening skills. Students will use these skills in groups to develop a project related to crime and justice that some students proposed at Level 4 (e.g., a youth engagement project or a digital campaign to reduce hate crime or knife crime).

This module will first outline some of the key sociological theories of crime and deviance in post-modern society and the sociocultural and political-economic contexts in which they have emerged. It will then move on to examine and discuss the complex processes at play within contemporary society – driven by the media and the police – that have resulted in the trend toward the increasing criminalisation of social policy. In particular, it will explore the public anxieties and media fixations upon perceived social problems that soon become law and order problems, whereby the behaviour of large segments of the population (non–compliant individuals) is increasingly monitored and regulated by criminal or civil sanctions. Furthermore, the module will go on to detail the vast array of influences that impact on and inform crime policy as well as focusing on the ‘politics’ of justice practice: law enforcement, prisons and imprisonment, and offender management.

This module has three principal aims: (i) to develop a critical and historical awareness of theories of, and issues relating to, individual differences (ii) to instil an understanding of, and foster respect for, diversity; (iii) to encourage you to be insightful and reflective about your own and others' behaviour and mental processes.

An ongoing theme of the module will be to consider the implications of the knowledge imparted for real-life events and the development of professional practice. These aims are intended to help you develop into a psychologically literate citizen. These skills are invaluable for a successful career in psychology.

In Year 3 of your criminology and psychology degree, you will undertake advanced research projects, combining independent study with supervised guidance. Core modules explore the intersection of criminology and psychology, while optional modules cover areas like cybercrime, mental health, youth crime, and forensic psychology, equipping you with critical skills for careers in justice, psychology, or related fields.

This module provides you with the opportunity to build on Developing Skills for Justice and Essential Skills for Justice at Levels 4 and 5. You will develop core employability skills and acquire tangible evidence to support your employability narrative at interviews. You will develop and demonstrate skills in (i) the analysis of a problem (ii) planning and organising a task/project, including time management (iii) exercising judgement in the light of observed and published data (iv) compiling a report, (v) teamwork and collaboration and (vi) use of appropriate technologies.

This module will develop skills in researching cybercrime building upon module Cybercrime and Professional Practice and Module Research Methods. As part of this module you will conduct a cyber focused research project developing your own design and will gain knowledge and skills to conduct research in a cyber area of your choice. Contemporary research in a range of areas will be presented and you will critically evaluate the methodological design in considering the implications of the findings. The set of three modules will provide a detailed understanding of the impact of cybercrime on contemporary society including national and international perspectives in the following areas:

Financial cybercrime, online abuse and hate, cyber terrorism, policing of cybercrime in the context of the design and implementation of research.

When you have completed the module, you will be able to evidence skills in:

Applied research methods; critically evaluating research in the cyber context and in producing a professional research proposal.

The module will aim to introduce students to the main theoretical discourses and empirical research pertaining to the bitterly contested and politically charged ‘race and crime’ debate. This module will explore from a historical perspective the social, economic and political forces that have: i) led to the widespread stereotyping and criminalisation of the black Caribbean community within the popular media and the academy ii) resulted in higher incidences of victimisation amongst black and Asian groups as a result of racist violence, and institutional racism as manifested throughout the criminal justice process. The module will initially outline and deconstruct those key theories pertaining to race – and the itinerant themes of racist thinking that were so central to the British imperial and colonial project – and ethnicity before going on to examine the impact of post-Second World War black and Asian settlement within Britain upon the race and crime debate. Whilst this module will look to explore issues of racism, ethnicity, crime and justice largely within the English context, where relevant the course will also look to draw upon the extensive American-derived literature concerning the race and crime debate.

The module will aim to introduce you to the main theoretical discourses and empirical research – both historically and within contemporary context – pertaining to the understanding of:
(i) The diverse cultural formations adopted by young people
(ii)   subcultural (and post-subcultural) theories of youth culture with regard to explanations of crime and deviance
(iii)   youth transitions, social exclusion and crime
(iv)   of media representations of ‘deviant’ youth cultures/styles, and
(v)   the contested notion of the emergence of violent street gangs in England’s urban centres.

The aim of this module is to enable you to develop an awareness of police investigation and to critically assess the role of the police in combating serious and organised crimes. You will look at how the police investigate and the governance and accountability arrangements that the police operate within. You will examine the policing response to murder including serial killings, child & domestic deaths, sexual offences, organised crime, miscarriages of justice, and an introduction to cyber-crimes. The legal constraints that the modern investigator operates within are explored along with the history of investigations and how serious cases are solved. You will discuss the police’s role within the wider criminal justice system.

This module explores the connections between mental health, crime and justice, through a critical examination of the position of people with mental disorders and learning disabilities in the criminal justice system.

You will study issues such as the relationship between mental disorder and crime, vulnerability, deaths in custody, miscarriages of justice, indefinite detention and dangerousness; using a wide variety of sociological, policy and legal materials, including analysis of video and audio documentaries, charity and pressure group websites and blogs. You will also learn about the policy of diversion, and engage in debates about whether people who commit crimes and are mentally disordered at the time can be considered criminally responsible, and whether they should be punished for their actions. We will look at arguments for preventive detention within the mental health system, forensic mental health care and High-Security Hospitals.

This module will be of particular interest if you are considering a future career within the criminal justice, health and social care fields and will enable you to evidence key employability skills relevant to these sectors. You will acquire a practical understanding of the relevant legal and policy frameworks and the rights and interests of those subject to legal control in both the mental health and criminal justice systems. You will also be able to reflect on the impact of those frameworks and engage in debate over their future reform through an understanding of competing social, legal and scientific theories about the relationship between mental disorder and criminality.

The module aims to introduce you to the main areas of occupational and organisational psychology and provide a critical understanding of the various ways in which contemporary psychological knowledge is applied to the workplace behaviour of people and business management. This will help you in your future career. It elucidates multiple aspects of human performance at work and ways to optimise them, considering their individual, group and organisational contexts.

This module aims to provide a broad introduction to the field of cyberpsychology; a subject that examines all aspects of psychology in the context of technology. Broadly speaking the module aims to: 1) Introduce students to the topic of cyberpsychology and its associated research methods; 2) Outline some of the topics and applications of cyberpsychology; 3) Develop a critical faculty whereby students consider the implications of their existing knowledge of psychology to contemporary technology.

The aims of this psychology module are to assist you in developing; your skills and competencies in critical thinking and the evaluation of information; your ability to understand behaviours motivated by different values and different cultural perspectives; and your ability to understand the causes of beliefs which they do not themselves ascribe to.

You will explore the various factors (e.g., social, developmental, cognitive, cultural, and biopsychological) that contribute to unsubstantiated beliefs, look at various theories of religious belief, and explore the psychology of moral values and political affiliation.

The module describes and evaluates biopsychosocial approaches to health and illness. It examines social and psychological processes which contribute to the occurrence of various physical health outcomes and to the maintenance of health. It discusses the role of psychosocial processes in the experience and progression of health and illness. Specifically, it examines biopsychosocial precursors and consequences which are identifiable empirically in the aetiology and progression of a variety of health phenomena. Such precursors include the role of social support, social cognitions, individual differences in coping and personality, life change events and psycho-neuro-immunological, endocrine and other physiological processes. In summary, this module explores how psychological and social factors impact our health. Implications for the prevention of illness and promotion of health are considered. This will be crucial for your career in the field of psychology.

This module provides a broad insight into the area of cognitive neuropsychology, i.e. we try to show how the study of brain injury informs and is informed, by normal theories of cognition. The module outlines the aims and methodology of cognitive neuropsychology, the nature of brain injury and plasticity, different neuropsychological disorders and neuropsychological perspectives on subjects such as intelligence and emotion. This module also considers the future of neuropsychology and rehabilitation.

NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.

Download course specification

Entry requirements

Degree:

112 UCAS points

This is the standard advertised entry requirement for most students applying to this course.

Degree with contextual offer:

96 UCAS points

You may be eligible for a reduced offer based on your personal, educational or socioeconomic background.

Pre-entry programmes

If you lack formal or current qualifications, there are routes available to help you achieve your goal.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Your previous qualifications, uncompleted study or industry experience may mean you can start your studies at a later point in the course and influence your eligibility for entry

What makes this course different

Great teaching

93% of our students surveyed responded positively to the question “Teaching on my course”(National Student Survey 2023).

Top ranking

1st in London for “Teaching on my course” and “Assessment and Feedback” (National Student Survey 2023).

World class research

We have a vigorous and collaborative research culture. You will be part of an institution that shapes the future of the field.

Course options

Degree

UCAS code: M9C8

Home Applicant ,
This course is in Clearing,
Full time, 3 years
Fees:£ 9,790 per year. Subject to change, see Fees, Funding and Additional Costs below

Apply through Clearing

International Applicant
Full time, 3 years
Fees:£ 16020 per year

Apply direct

What can I do with this degree?

This degree opens doors where criminal justice and human behaviour meet. Graduates go on to work as case managers, crime analysts, probation officers, mental health and youth justice workers, as well as researchers in policy, public health and the third sector.

Many continue into postgraduate study, including an MSc in Forensic Psychology or MSc Criminology, which can lead to further professional qualifications and chartered status. The combination of criminology and psychology is especially attractive to employers in health, social care, policing and criminal justice.

How you'll learn

When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading criminology and psychology journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as our BabyDev lab, eye tracking, EEG, VR/AR and associated psycho-physiology equipment.

Guided independent study

Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as our psychology labs, the library, and our innovative crime scene flat.

Some students have worked as volunteer community support officers, while others have volunteered in local community groups. If you choose this approach, you'll be able to count your community experience towards your degree.

Academic support

If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths, or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions, and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential.

You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses.

Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater to your every need. UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.

Workload

Your overall workload consists of class and online tutor-led sessions, individual learning, and practical activities. The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module, and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year depending on your course.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 40 - 50 students a year. Lecture sizes are normally 40 plus students.

In workshops, you will be taught in groups of 12 - 15 students. However, this can vary by academic year.

How you'll be assessed

Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make the workload manageable. Assessment methods include group work, exams and individual work including essays, presentations, case studies, professional development and practical activities depending on the nature of the course.

All grades count towards your module mark. More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides. You will always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 15 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face-to-face assessments.

Campus and facilities

University Square Stratford, London, E15 1NF

University Square Stratford is one of London's most modern and well-equipped campuses. It serves 3,400 students and is the base for our courses in law and criminology, dance and performing arts, and the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Modern facilities include: performing arts spaces; three performance studios; the Harvard lecture theatre, with live lecture capture technology; the multimedia Weston Learning Centre; a dedicated MBA suite and teaching space; a 300-seat specialised tiered lecture; and a simulated courtroom for mooting experience.

The campus is close to Stratford developments such as Westfield Stratford City and the Theatre Royal. You can be in Canary Wharf in 20 minutes, the English National Ballet in 15 minutes and Sadler's Wells East in 8 minutes.

Who teaches this course

This course is delivered by Royal Docks School of Business and Law

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

What our students and staff say

I love teaching Criminology to my UEL students, as well as using the amazing facilities on campus. I find that they have something new to teach me each year, too."

Dr Emma Cunningham

Senior lecturer, Criminology

I had read that the psychology research department was one of the best in the UK, and their research was internationally recognised; that was one of the reasons I chose to study psychology at UEL. I also knew that UEL was diverse, which influenced my decision to join the university. I wanted to go somewhere that I would be comfortable and accepted, and I’m so pleased I did."

Tania Khan

BSc Psychology with Foundation Year and BSc Clinical and Community Psychology

Criminology and Psychology FAQs

The Criminology and Psychology degree at UEL balances academic theory with hands-on learning. You will explore core social-science and psychological theories concerning why crime happens, how behaviours form, and how mental processes influence human decisions.

Simultaneously, the course is grounded in real-world practice. You will work in psychology labs using electroencephalography (EEG), virtual and augmented reality, and psychophysiological equipment. By analysing real criminal cases, simulating crime-scene investigations, and discussing justice system processes, you will develop the concrete skills needed for careers in justice, mental health, or forensic work.

Not at all. UEL’s programme is built so that students with no previous exposure to these fields can succeed. In your first year, you will take foundational modules introducing key concepts across crime, justice systems, psychological development, and social differences.

The course offers strong academic support - including personal tutors and dedicated help with writing and statistics. As long as you are willing to learn, you will have everything you need. What matters most is your curiosity and readiness to explore complex issues.

Because this course blends two distinct disciplines, it opens up a broader, more flexible range of career paths than a single-subject degree. Graduates often go into criminal justice roles, including crime analysis, probation services, or youth justice.

Others pursue psychology-oriented routes, working as support workers in social care, counselling support, or mental-health-focused organisations. With further training, this degree serves as an excellent pathway toward forensic psychology, victim support, or policy work, giving you the versatility to shape your own career direction.

Real cases, real human behaviour, and real social issues are central to your learning. Rather than just reading textbooks, you will analyse historic and modern cases, discuss offender motivations, examine justice system responses, and study how societal factors influence rehabilitation outcomes.

On the psychology side, you will explore how brain function, development, and social environments shape decision-making. Thanks to UEL’s specialist labs, crime-scene simulation facilities, and industry guest lectures, you will graduate with a nuanced, practical understanding of both criminal justice and human psychology.

UEL embeds employability into the very structure of this course. From day one, you will have access to the Career Zone, a dedicated resource hub listing internships, graduate opportunities, volunteering options, and part-time jobs across the criminology, psychology, social care, and justice sectors.

We support your career progression through:

Professional Networking: Arranging employer networking events, mentorship programmes, and one-to-one career coaching.
Work-Based Learning: Encouraging volunteering and placements with community safety organisations, youth services, or support groups to build your CV.
Practical Competencies: Using psychology labs and research facilities to develop key employer-demanded skills, such as analytical thinking, empathy, data interpretation and communication.

Search

Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons)

Why study at UEL?

Top 40 UK university

1st in England

Fastest Rising in England for graduate employability

Overview

This course is in Clearing

Intro to Fashion Entrepreneurship

Our LLM course is a top choice

Course modules

Introduction to Crime and Punishment Core Module

Developing Skills for Justice (MW) Core Module

Introduction to Cognitive and Developmental Psychology Core Module

Research Skills Core Module

Introduction to Biological and Social and Individual Differences Core Module

Criminal Justice Process Core Module

Theoretical Criminology Core Module

Introduction to Forensic Psychology Core Module

Essential Skills for Justice (MW) Core Module

Crime Policy into Practice Core Module

Individual Differences and Applications Core Module

Applied Research & Evaluation Core Module

Project Criminology and Psychology Core Module

Leadership Skills for Justice (MW) Core Module

Psychological Criminology Core Module

Researching Contemporary Issues in Cybercrime Optional Module

Race, Ethnicity, Crime and Justice Optional Module

Youth Crime, Gangs and Sub-culture Optional Module

Policing and Criminal Investigation Optional Module

Mentally Disordered Suspects, Defendants and Offenders Optional Module

Occupational Psychology Optional Module

Psychology of Emotion Optional Module

Cyberpsychology Optional Module

Psychology of Belief Optional Module

Counselling Psychology Optional Module

Health Psychology Optional Module

Cognitive Neuropsychology Optional Module

Download course specification

Entry requirements

Degree:

Degree with contextual offer:

Pre-entry programmes

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

UCAS tariff points

Accepted qualifications

Additional requirements

International qualifications

What makes this course different

Great teaching

Top ranking

World class research

Course options

Degree

Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons)

Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons), home applicant, full time

Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons)

Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons), international applicant, full time

What can I do with this degree?

Experience

Skills

Support

Enterprise

Impact

Official student data from Discover Uni

How you'll learn

Guided independent study

Academic support

Dedicated personal tutor

Workload

Your timetable

Class sizes

How you'll be assessed

Campus and facilities

University Square Stratford, London, E15 1NF

Who teaches this course

What our students and staff say

Criminology and Psychology FAQs

Is the Criminology and Psychology course at UEL more theoretical or practical?

Do I need a background in psychology, criminology, or law to apply?