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BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology
What motivates people to behave as they do? Why do people commit crime? BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology explores how the mind works and how that relates to crime and society and prepares you for a wide range of careers within the criminal justice system.
Explore the criminal mind and the causes and consequences of crime
Entry requirements
Three A-levels at grades CCC or above
Or BTEC triple grades MMM or above
Or Access with 23-45 D/M with a minimum of 6D
And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above and GCSE Maths or a Science at grade 4 or grade C or above (or equivalent qualifications)
UCAS points 96
UCAS code CRPS
UCAS institution code P63
Duration Three years full-time or up to six years part-time
Course Summary
Our BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology degree explores the causes of crime, the criminal justice system, the legal framework and responses to crime. It combines the sociology of crime and causes and responses, with the study of Psychology. Teaching and learning gives equal weight to the two core subjects of Criminology and Psychology, developing a deep understanding of human behaviour and how this relates to the criminal justice system.
During the course you'll be introduced to psychology and criminology theories with a focus on the social psychology of crime. You’ll investigate the common traits of actors in the criminal justice system in a criminal justice setting, such as a court or a crime scene. You'll also have opportunities to develop research techniques and to complete your own piece of social psychological research and to do 50 hours of work placement in a criminal justice organisation. You'll also develop a sound understanding of the ethics of criminology and take an in-depth look at the psychology behind crime.
Why this course at Marjon?
Learn to apply criminological and psychological tools to any type of investigations, but with an emphasis on crime scene investigations
Study in dedicated psychology lab spaces and at simulated crime scenes in our 'crime scene house' with the support of specialist tutors
Small groups for teaching and learning allow you to have support to develop your individual projects
Learn how to apply psychology to develop effective forms of crime deterrent, rehabilitation and victim support
Visit real criminal justice environments
Get a broad perspective by studying crime in the context of local communities, as well as nationally and internationally
Modules for this course
Course Snapshot
“ Your first year will see you develop an understanding of psychological perspectives as well as learning broad knowledge about crime and law in society. In the second year you will learn about the biology of emotion in the brain and how criminologists think differently about crime scenes. You will also take on a work placement to gain experience in the industry. In the third year you will learn about the mind of criminals and what underpins criminal behaviour. You will also develop communication skills and focus on the ethics of working in criminal justice.”
1st Year
Social psychology
Crime and the criminal justice system
Academic personal and professional development
Criminological theory
Psychology in practice
Public law and justice
2nd Year
Social psychology 2
Understanding punishment: prisons and penology
Thinking and learning
Research methods
Memory and language
Designing safe communities
3rd Year
Criminology honours project
Investigative psychology
Contemporary issues in psychology
Understanding violence
Contemporary issues in crime and criminology
Working with people
This course is perfect if you’re curious about
Who commits crime?
What drives an individual's offending behaviour?
What causes criminality and how does psychology explain it?
How can an understanding of psychology help us reduce criminal behaviour?
How best do we support victims and offenders to prevent crime?
How do we encourage resilience to loss and trauma?
What might you become?
BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology prepares students for careers in offender management, civil service, youth services, community development and the police.
How you’ll be taught and assessed?
How will you be taught?
Includes lectures, seminars, visits to real crime scenes and practical learning at simulated crime scenes, some of which will occur in our on-campus 'crime scene house'.
How will you be assessed?
Approx 30% of assessment is via exams and practical tests and 70% is via coursework.
Sam has spent over 10 years teaching criminal justice and sociology in Higher Education. Prior to that she worked for six years in administration at the South Carolina Department of Corrections, working with youthful offenders, victims and eventually in educational programming. She teaches a broad range of classes and has a variety of research interests including globalization, criminal and social deviance, social control, and immigration. She is the author of The Criminalization of Immigration: The Post 9/11 Moral Panic (2013) and co-author of the forthcoming publication: Security and the State in the Era of Globalization: Criminology in the XXI Century.
Fees and funding
Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum
Fees for International students: £12,500 per annum
This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.
Funding available for this course
Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.
Learn moreLecturers
With over 20-years experience of teaching and supporting students in higher education and the private sector, I lecture on a range of modules in the social sciences and teaching-learning in higher education, including research methods.
Hazel is a chartered member and associate fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a senior fellow of the HEA. She teaches psychology, mental health and wellbeing and neuropsychology. Her research focuses on identity, student engagement and hidden disabilities.
John is a Criminologist and Lecturer in Forensic Psychology & Criminal Law and sits as a Magistrate on the Northumbrian Bench. John is also a Tutor in the University of Oxford (OUDCE) where his modules are an 'Introduction to Criminology & Psychology of Criminal Behaviour, 'Inside the Minds of Serial Killers' and 'Bad Men in Good Jobs; the Psychopaths Among Us.' He has many years' experience as both a Lecturer and Dean of School and holds taught and research qualifications in Applied Criminology, Law and History from University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge, to name but four.
Magda is expert in structures and networks of transnational organised crime, deterrence, terrorism and counter-terrorism, as well as aspects of investigative psychology and geographic profiling. She is an active member of a variety of international societies, research groups and organisations in the field of criminology.
Alister teaches psychology and its applications to sport, exercise, and health. His main research interest is how psychological interventions can be used to improve the performances of people who participate in endurance events, such as middle- and long-distance running, cycling, swimming, and triathlon events.
Currently serving police sergeant with over 26 years of experience. 9 years lecturing. Policing experience includes - response, neighbourhood, training and assessing officers, burglary squad, interview teams, custody, evidence review, licensing in both urban and rural police areas. Recently used forensic science in developing effective crime prevention within policing. Recipient of the Plymouth Police Commander's Mayflower Memorial Award in 2019. Recently received national recognition for work around the developing evaluation and investigative working practices around drink spiking offences in the UK
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Find out more about studying BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology at Marjon
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