BA Criminology with Psychology

Undergraduate

BA Criminology with Psychology

Crime begins in the mind. Learn to understand both.

Key information

Study mode

Full-time

Course length

3 years

Typical offer

120 points

A Level grades: BBB

UCAS code

M9C8

Choose an option

Start date

Course overview

On this degree, you’ll learn to understand crime, the human mind and how the two overlap and interact. As well as exploring topics in crime and criminal justice, you’ll study human behaviour, performance and decision making.

You’ll consider the decisions that criminals make (why a burglar chooses one house over another, for example). You'll discover the psychological origins of crime and how psychology can inform crime detection or reduce offending.

You can also choose to investigate areas including drug use, sex work, surveillance, slavery and cyberterrorism.

You'll also get the chance to work with real offenders through the Learning Together network† - which allows students and prisoners to learn alongside, and from each other.

Put what you learn into practice in our purpose-built replica crime scene facility right here on campus. A recent addition to the university, it provides detailed and realistic crime scenes for you to explore. Get hands on: collect evidence, explore criminal activity and see the world of forensic science brought to life.

Learn more about your course in our subject sessions

On-demand session

Criminology

criminology-subject-session
More to explore
Download your 2022 prospectus Come to an Open Day Accommodation Fees and finance Choose Hull Department of Criminology and Sociology

Six reasons to study Criminology with Psychology at Hull

  1. Get hands on experience using our replica crime scene facility
  2. 92% graduate employability rating*
  3. Chance for placements with Humberside Police
  4. Chance to learn alongside prisoners at HMP Hull
  5. Great opportunities for visits and placements
  6. Tailor your studies to fit your interests

What you'll study

The course consists of 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits, meaning you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more (e.g. 40 credits). In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120.

First year modules

  • Compulsory

    Becoming a Criminologist

    This module develops your skills for the study of criminology. You'll cover definitions of crime, patterns of crime, causes and explanations for crime, and responses to crime.

    Criminal Justice Institutions

    Study the procedures of criminal justice – and the role of institutions such as the Police, CPS, courts and prisons, responsible for investigation, prosecution, conviction and punishment. 

    Crime, Deviance and Society

    Look back to the origins of criminology by focusing upon the concepts and study of deviance. You'll trace how crime and deviance have been - and continue to be - deeply intertwined. 

    Social Research in Practice

    The module takes an integrative approach to research ethics and design. It's a foundation for skills in understanding research and practical skills for conducting independent research.

    Development of Criminological Theory

    Study the development of criminological theory - from the 19th and 20th centuries through to the emergence of deviancy theory, radical perspectives and rational choice theories. 

    Social Psychology and Individual Differences 1

    Explore social-psychological theories and gain insight into how psychologists have identified patterns of behaviour, emotion and ability across time and situations. 

Second year modules

  • Compulsory

    Representations of Crime

    This module lets you engage first hand with media representations of crime, victimisation and punishment through analysis of texts, including films, documentaries, games and music. 

    Policing and Criminal Investigation

    Explore policing's key functions and the issues facing police today. You'll examine the methods, tools, and controversies associated with criminal investigation. 

    Psychology of Offending and Victimisation

    Learn about the decisions offenders make in committing crime - like why burglars choose one house over another  - and how such crimes affect victims. 

    Criminology in Late Modernity

    You'll examine how current social theory explains recent developments in crime and crime control, taking in realism, cultural criminology and contemporary feminist perspectives.

    Analysing Social Data

    Building on the Collecting Social Data module, here you'll start the next stage of social research: the analysis and interpretation of data, through a range of approaches. 

    Social Psychology and Individual Differences 2

    Focus in more depth on studies from recent journal articles. You'll look at developments in social psychology and individual differences and the overlap with other disciplines. 

Final year modules

  • Compulsory

    Dissertation

    You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up your own project on a topic you choose, supported by your dissertation supervisor.

    Forensic Psychology

    Learn about the psychological origins of crime, how psychology can inform crime detection and what psychologists can do to reduce offending.

  • Optional

    Psychology and Health

    Study the application of psychology to social and clinical factors surrounding health, illness and health-related behaviours. You'll consider the function of health care systems like the NHS.

    Neuropsychology

    Explore how brain lesions and neurological diseases affect cognition and behaviour. You'll study the major neurological deficits and syndromes found with central nervous system malfunctions.

    Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Wellbeing

    On this module, you'll consider the core concepts of the positive psychology movement and how this applies to different groups of people. 

    Neuroscience Techniques

    Gain a deeper understanding of neuroscience techniques. You'll study the theory, and then learn through first-hand practical experience of application and data analysis methods.

    Drug Use Today

    This module introduces the study of ‘the drug problem’, in Western society. You'll explore the sociological and psychological perspectives used to explain drug-using behaviour. 

    Sex Work, Policy and Crime

    Discover the cultural, social and political issues surrounding the commercial sex industry. Through lectures and seminars, you'll consider why people buy and sell sexual services.

    Restorative Justice and Peacemaking Criminology

    Examine the development of restorative justice and peacemaking criminology, analysing their key concepts, values, principles and practices - as well as the controversies surrounding them.

    Transnational Organised Crime

    Learn the concepts behind our grasp of transnational organised crime. You'll cover areas including the drugs and arms trade; people trafficking; cybercrime; and terrorism. 

    Understanding Animal Minds

    Explore human and animal behaviour from a perspective adopted by naturalists, biologists, cognitive neuroscientists and experimental psychologists. 

    The Social Brain and Autism

    Learn about the ways that psychology, philosophy and neuroscience contribute to the current insights about how the brain enables social cognition -  and how that helps us understand autism.

    Memory in the Real World

    Build your understanding of memory and its importance in everyday life. You'll cover topics including autobiographical memory, false memories and memory for emotional events.

    Surveillance and Social Control

    You'll study a range of theoretical perspectives on the emergence of a surveillance society a - and examine the impact this is having on policing, criminal justice and social justice.

    Learning Together - Desistance from Crime

    On this module, you'll attend weekly lectures at HMP Hull where, alongside prisoners, you'll study how and why people stop offending. It's a unique learning environment and a unique experience.

    Modern-Day Slavery in the UK

    Slavery in the UK has risen exponentially over the past 20 years - now reaching some 136,000 victims. You'll consider definitions of slavery and how its scale is measured. 

    Contemporary Imprisonment

    Study the contemporary sociology of imprisonment. You'll examine current controversies in the use of prison sentences and consider the effects of incarceration on offenders. 

    Cyberterrorism and Extremism

    Your work this module will reflect real-world practice as you look closer at what’s happening in the world today, and discuss and debate key terms such as ‘cyber’, 'radicalisation', 'terrorism', ‘extremism’ and 'violent extremism'. 

    Criminal Justice and Community Safety Placements

    Experience the nature and range of work carried out by the police and other criminal justice agencies on a work placement. You'll gain a range of skills to enhance your employability. 

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

How you'll study

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time’s divided among each of these varies each year and depends on the course and modules you study.

Overall workload

240 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

960 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

29%
71%
  • Examination

    Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

240 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

960 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

37%
63%
  • Examination

    Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

156 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

1,044 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

100%
  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Social Sciences Criminology and Forensic Science Jasmine Morley UNI-1433
Jasmine Morley Criminology

Why I chose Criminology at Hull

Watch video
University crime scene lab room

Crime Scene Facility

Put what you learn into practice in our purpose-built replica crime scene facility right here on campus. A recent addition to the university, it provides detailed and realistic crime scenes for you to explore. Get hands on: collect evidence, explore criminal activity and see the world of forensic science brought to life.

Police Officer

Police placements

From helping to gather evidence and interpreting intelligence, to dog handling to going out on the beat, our students take part in every element of policing.

Watch our video

Entry requirements

Typical offer

  • A level grades BBB

  • BTEC grades DDM

  • Points required 120

Work out your estimated points

Points can be from any qualification on the UCAS tariff, but must include at least 80 points from

  • A levels
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • CACHE Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • Irish Leaving Certificate
  • Scottish Highers
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma
  • or a combination of appropriate Level 3 qualifications

Alternative qualifications

  • IB Diploma: 30 points
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 45 credits at merit

Worried you don’t quite meet our entry requirements?

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it’s not just about the grades – we’ll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

If you have any questions, our admissions team will be happy to help.

Points can be from any qualification on the UCAS tariff, but must include at least 80 points from

  • A levels
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • CACHE Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • Irish Leaving Certificate
  • Scottish Highers
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma
  • or a combination of appropriate Level 3 qualifications

Alternative qualifications

  • IB Diploma: 30 points
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 45 credits at merit

Worried you don’t quite meet our entry requirements?

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it’s not just about the grades – we’ll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

If you have any questions, our admissions team will be happy to help.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

If your English currently does not reach the University's required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Our teaching staff

Click and drag

Take a tour of the facilities

Criminology with Psychology students get to grips with the power of the human mind in our brain simulation laboratory.

Explore the virtual tour

Fees and funding

UK

£9,250 per year*

EU/International

£15,400 per year

*The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index (RPI).

The fees shown are for 2021 entry. The fees for 2022 have not yet been confirmed and may increase.

UK students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course and a maintenance loan of up to £9,488 to cover living costs.

Substantial discounts are available for International students.  

More information on fees can be found in the Money section of our website.

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme (including registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examination).

There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary.

  • Books (you’ll have access to books from your module reading lists in the library, but you may want to buy your own copies)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (including travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (including travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PC’s on campus, but you may want to buy your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel and food – to name just a few. 

An affordable city for students

From bills, to meals, to pints – you’ll find that your money goes a lot further in Hull.

Your future prospects

  • Police officer
  • Prison officer
  • Probation officer
  • Social worker
  • Civil servant
  • Charity worker

Demand for Criminology graduates has increased significantly in recent years and our degree equips you with the knowledge and skills that are invaluable for a career in the field of criminal justice.

You could go on semester-long placement with Humberside Police. There are only 10 places available, so it’s competitive – but the knowledge and skills you’d gain are genuinely career enhancing.

Open Day at University of Hull

Ready to apply?

You can apply for this course through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

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This. Is. Hull.

A place where we stand up to kings, do deals with the world and take a wrecking ball to the slave trade. A place where culture stands out and the phone boxes are a different colour. A place where we're free-thinking, independent and proud of it.

*Percentage of students from social sciences subject area in work or further study within 15 months of graduating: UK domicile full-time first degree leavers, Graduate Outcomes survey for the academic year 2017/18, published by HESA 2020

†Subject to the annual approval of the UK Ministry of Justice