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Criminology and Psychology

BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - combined honours

Award
BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology
School/s
School of Sciences
Campus or location
Newton Park
Course length
Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
UCAS codes
Institution Code: B20
Course Code: UN28 or SE72
Campus Code: A,BSU

Entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed under 'Typical offers' in the main column below. For combined courses, please check both subjects. If your qualification is not listed, please email admissions@bathspa.ac.uk with your specific details.

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.

Accreditation

Both our single and combined honours Psychology courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) providing Graduate Basis for Registration with the BPS to gain Chartered Psychologist status, provided you achieve a 2.2 overall and pass the final year dissertation.

The logo for a British Psychological Society accredited Psychology course

 

What you'll learn

Overview

Explore the five main psychological perspectives: biological, cognitive, developmental, individual differences and social. Learn how to use research methods to ask psychological questions, engage with the historical and conceptual underpinnings of Psychology, and explore contemporary concepts and their application. 

In your Criminology modules, you’ll look at crime from a variety of angles and perspectives. Core modules focus on the main theories, debates, issues and research problems in criminology and criminal justice. 

Course structure

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, and you can choose to take an optional Professional Placement Year between your second and final years.

Year three
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.

How will I be assessed?

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. 

How will I be taught?

You’ll participate in a wide variety of activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, one-to-one tutorials, and sessions with visiting speakers. 

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.


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Adobe Creative Campus

Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.   

Opportunities

Work placements, industry links and internships

We encourage you to apply your learning in the real world and explore potential careers. 

We have excellent links with local criminal justice organisations including police services and prisons, as well as a programme of visiting speakers which includes people with lived experience of the criminal justice system.

Careers

As a social sciences degree, this course gives you a range of transferable skills that you can take into many different careers (some of which require further training). Our graduates have been employed in a wide range of roles and career paths, including: 

  • Assistant Psychologist 
  • Crime prevention  
  • Security 
  • Criminal justice system 
  • Police service 
  • Prison and probation service 
  • Charities 
  • Counter-terrorism 
  • Civil service 
  • Counselling and therapies 
  • Teaching.  

The BPS accreditation of your Psychology studies means you’ll be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS). This is an essential stepping-stone for students who are looking to progress to become a Chartered Psychologist after graduation. 

As a graduate of Criminology and Psychology you may also wish to continue your studies with our MSc Criminology.

Competitions and awards

At the end of the final academic year, we award prizes to recognise achievements in academic success and reward effort and excellence. Prizes specific to Psychology are: 

  • The British Psychological Society Graduate Award 
  • Oxford University Press Prize for best dissertation. 

Professional placement year

Overview

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

How will I be assessed?

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

You'll be taught at our Newton Park campus. Nestled in the countryside at the edge of Bath, the campus offers a blend of modern and eighteenth-century buildings and good access to the city. 

From your lectures, you’ll be able to visit the library, the Students’ Union, and access our student information and support teams, as well as many of our facilities.   

Resources

ASk (Academic Skills)

  • Available both in-person and online, this dedicated team can help with essay writing, referencing, maths skills and statistics.  

Laboratories

  • We have a psychology lab where you can access "biopac" equipment (computerised biological measures such as EEG) for project work as well as other shared and dedicated lab spaces for research.
  • Teaching resources for Psychology include statistical computer software for analysing quantitative data and NVivo for qualitative data analysis.

Online resources

  • You can access thousands of specialist Library resources digitally, including Criminology and Psychology journals.
  • Don't forget to contact your dedicated subject Librarian for help with your research.
  • Tutors will post helpful resources to the Virtual Learning Environment.
  • You’ll also have free access to thousands of business, design, and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.

Careers

  • The team runs networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process.
  • They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying.
  • When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas.
  • Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.

English Language Unit

  • If English isn't your first language, the ELU can help you improve your English, reach your full potential and boost your confidence.

Student Wellbeing Services

  • SWS (Student Wellbeing Services) is available to support you throughout your learning.

Fees

2024 entry
Student Annual tuition fee
UK full time £9,250
UK part time £4,625
International full time £16,675

Professional Placement Year

During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students.

  • UK: £1,850
  • International: £3,335

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

We're looking for hardworking, articulate applicants who are interested in all aspects of crime and psychology, justice and punishment. You'll be fascinated by human behaviour and the workings of the mind, and curious enough to ask questions that will help drive science forward.

Typical offers

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:

  • A-level - grades BBB-BCC preferred. If studying Psychology, then a Grade B or higher is required. If Psychology is not an option at your school or college, then another A-level subject will be accepted, but a keen interest in psychology will need to be described in your personal statement.
  • BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a related subject. Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement.
  • T Levels – grade Merit preferred in a relevant subject.
  • International Baccalaureate - a minimum of 32 points are required. Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement.
  • Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher). Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements above, we may be able to accept your prior learning or experience from outside of formal education. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) page to learn more.

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Course enquiries

For further information about the programme or entry requirements, please email us at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply pages.

Course leader (Criminology): Faye Vanstone
Email: f.vanstone@bathspa.ac.uk

Course leader (Psychology): Cordelia Sutton
Email: c.sutton@bathspa.ac.uk 

Three year course
With placement year

Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk