Program Overview

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Introduction to Criminology and Psychological Studies

The BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychological Studies program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex causes of crime and harmful behaviors. This course is ideal for those interested in understanding the psychological and social causes and effects of crime and the criminal justice system.

Course Overview

Our new BA Criminology and Psychological Studies gives you the opportunity to think critically about important questions such as: What is crime? Who commits crime and why? What are the impacts of crime on victims and what are the impacts of engagement with the criminal justice system on both victims and offenders?

Why Choose This Course?

• This course is ideal if you are interested in understanding the complex causes of crime and of harmful behaviours.
• You will study with leading experts in criminology and psychology working on issues of policing, prisons and courts, gendered and sexual violence, and offending, to understand the psychological and social causes and effects of crime and the criminal justice system.
• You will be introduced to key criminology and psychology debates and thinkers, as well as exploring the connections and tensions between the two disciplines.
• This course benefits from its links to the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research and its internationally recognised research.

What You Will Learn

On this course, you will explore the relationship between individuals, society, and the criminal justice system, and consider:

• why people commit violent and harmful acts
• how our current criminal justice institutions and practices themselves often produce psychological harm
• how these institutions and practices might be improved.

You will develop a critical understanding of the effects of victimisation and how we improve prospects of healing and rehabilitation for victims and offenders involved in the criminal justice system. You will also analyse real-world events through a focus on criminological and psychological theories. You will learn about social justice and social change by understanding government and policy, and advocacy and activism.

How You Will Learn

This course is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening. These consist of lectures, seminars, and on-campus and online activities.

You will learn in a stimulating learning environment alongside students with diverse backgrounds and professional experiences. You will also be able to tailor this course to your interests with option modules tackling specialist topics such as explanations for violent behaviour, the functioning of police and prisons, the prevention of gender-based violence, and changing individual behaviour.

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Key Information and Modules

• Criminology and Psychological Studies BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting September 2026
  • Year of entry: September 2026
  • Duration: Three years
  • Full-time or part-time: Full-time
  • Style of study: On campus
  • UCAS code: LL37
  • Status: Fully Approved
  • Awarding body: University of London
  • Attendance: Usually two evenings a week, September to July
• Criminology and Psychological Studies BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting September 2026
  • Year of entry: September 2026
  • Duration: Four years
  • Full-time or part-time: Part-time
  • Style of study: On campus
  • Status: Fully Approved
  • Awarding body: University of London
  • Attendance: Usually one evening a week, September to July
• Criminology and Psychological Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting September 2026
  • Year of entry: September 2026
  • Duration: Four years
  • Full-time or part-time: Full-time
  • Style of study: On campus
  • UCAS code: LL38
  • Status: Fully Approved
  • Awarding body: University of London
  • Attendance: Usually two evenings a week, September to July
• Criminology and Psychological Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting September 2026
  • Year of entry: September 2026
  • Duration: Six years
  • Full-time or part-time: Part-time
  • Style of study: On campus
  • Status: Fully Approved
  • Awarding body: University of London
  • Attendance: Usually one evening a week, September to July

Highlights

• You will have access to specialised research events such as the Criminology Seminar Series.
• There are opportunities for students to be taught by active researchers carrying out contemporary criminological research at the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research (ICPR).
• Birkbeck is also strongly oriented towards research in psychological sciences.

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge, and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on our judgement of your academic potential, particularly for our flexible part-time route.

UCAS Tariff Points

• 3 years full-time: 112 points (e.g., A-levels BBC)
• 4 years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

Foundation Year Degrees

Our 'with Foundation Year' route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

Access to Higher Education

Access to Higher Education Diploma with a minimum of 15 credits achieved at Merit or Distinction in law, humanities, or social science units.

Visa and Funding Requirements

If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

Fees

Criminology and Psychological Studies BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 202627

• Full-time home students: Ł9,790 per year
• Full-time international students: Ł18,500 per year

Criminology and Psychological Studies BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 202627

• Part-time home students: Ł7,335 per year
• Part-time international students: Ł13,875 per year

Criminology and Psychological Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 202627

• Part-time home students, Year 1&2: Ł2,880 per year
• Part-time international students, Year 1&2: Ł9,250 per year
• Part-time home students, Year 3+: Ł7,335 per year
• Part-time international students, Year 3+: Ł13,875 per year

Criminology and Psychological Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 202627

• Full-time home students, Year 1: Ł5,760 per year
• Full-time international students, Year 1: Ł18,500 per year
• Full-time home students, Year 2+: Ł9,790 per year
• Full-time international students, Year 2+: Ł18,500 per year

Teaching

At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments.

Methods of Teaching on This Course

This course is taught via lectures (pre-recorded), seminars, and on-campus and online activities.

Teaching Hours

Our evening hours are normally between 6 pm and 9 pm (6-7.30 pm and 7.30-9 pm).

Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations.

Methods of Assessment on This Course

Assessment is dependent on each individual module, but includes written exercises, essays, seen and unseen exams, group work, oral presentations, reflective journals, case studies, and creative and critical-thinking exercises.

Careers and Employability

On successfully graduating from this BA Criminology and Psychological Studies, you will have gained a set of valuable transferable skills in:

• organising, planning, and working to deadlines
• working as part of a team
• research
• clear and logical thinking and problem-solving
• gathering, interpreting, and evaluating different types of information
• presenting yourself and an argument.

Criminology and psychological studies graduates find work in many different areas, including policy development, research, public relations, marketing, fundraising, and journalism.

How to Apply

You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses.

Full-time (UCAS Entry)

If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck, you have to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Part-time

If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (4 or 6 years), you apply directly to Birkbeck.

Course Structure

Course Structure Listing

Course Structure and Modules for Criminology and Psychological Studies BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting September 2026

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

• Year 1: six compulsory modules
• Year 2: two compulsory modules and four Level 5 option modules
• Year 3: five Level 6 option modules - one in criminology and four in psychology - and a research project

Year 1 Compulsory Modules

• Criminal Justice Institutions and Processes
• Understanding Applied Cognitive Psychology
• Understanding Applied Social Psychology
• Understanding Individual Differences
• Understanding Neuroscience
• What is Crime?

Year 2 Compulsory Modules

• Policy, Government, and Social Control
• What is Justice?

Level 5 Indicative Option Modules

• Cognition
• Individual Differences
• Micro-placement
• Neuroscience
• Psychological and Developmental Issues in Childhood and Adolescence
• Psychology for Personal and Professional Development
• Social Psychology
• Your Career Development

Level 6 Indicative Option Modules - Criminology

• Drugs, Crime and Society (Level 6)
• Gender, Crime and Violence (Level 6)
• Imprisonment and Justice (Level 6)

Level 6 Indicative Option Modules - Psychology

• Attachment Theory: Introduction and Critique
• Family Studies
• Health Psychology
• Neurodiversity
• Neuropsychology
• Sexuality, Psychology and Sex Work

BA Criminology and Psychological Studies Project

• Criminology and Psychology Research Project

Course Structure and Modules for Criminology and Psychological Studies BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting September 2026

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

• Year 1: five compulsory modules
• Year 2: two compulsory modules and two Level 5 option modules
• Year 3: one compulsory module, two Level 5 and two Level 6 psychology option modules
• Year 4: three Level 6 option modules - one in criminology and two in psychology - and a research project

Year 1 Compulsory Modules

• Understanding Applied Cognitive Psychology
• Understanding Applied Social Psychology
• Understanding Individual Differences
• Understanding Neuroscience
• What is Crime?

Year 2 Compulsory Modules

• Criminal Justice Institutions and Processes
• What is Justice?

Year 3 Compulsory Module

• Policy, Government, and Social Control

Level 5 Indicative Option Modules

• Cognition
• Individual Differences
• Micro-placement
• Neuroscience
• Psychological and Developmental Issues in Childhood and Adolescence
• Psychology for Personal and Professional Development
• Social Psychology
• Your Career Development

Level 6 Indicative Option Modules - Criminology

• Drugs, Crime and Society (Level 6)
• Gender, Crime and Violence (Level 6)
• Imprisonment and Justice (Level 6)

Level 6 Indicative Option Modules - Psychology

• Attachment Theory: Introduction and Critique
• Family Studies
• Health Psychology
• Neurodiversity
• Neuropsychology
• Sexuality, Psychology and Sex Work

BA Criminology and Psychological Studies Project

• Criminology and Psychology Research Project

Course Structure and Modules for Criminology and Psychological Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting September 2026

Our part-time Foundation Year degrees allow you to spread out your Foundation Year studies over two years.

Foundation Year 1 Core Modules

• Breaking Boundaries of Knowledge
• Fundamentals of Study

Foundation Year 2 Core Module

• Crossing Borders

Foundation Year 2 Option Modules

• Chinese 1 (Level 4)
• French 1
• French 2
• French 3 (Level 4)
• French 4 (Level 4)
• German 1
• German 2
• German 3 (Level 4)
• German 4 (Level 4)
• Italian 1
• Italian 2
• Italian 3 (Level 4)
• Italian 4 (Level 4)
• Japanese 1
• Japanese 2
• Japanese 3 (Level 4)
• Japanese 4 (Level 4)
• Korean 1 (Level 4)
• Spanish 1
• Spanish 2
• Spanish 3 (Level 4)
• Spanish 4 (Level 4)
• The Humanities and Social Sciences: Global Issues in Historical Perspective

Course Structure and Modules for Criminology and Psychological Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting September 2026

For the Foundation Year, you take three core modules and choose one option module: either Contemporary Global Issues: Approaches in Social Science, History and Philosophy or a language module.

Foundation Year Core Modules

• Breaking Boundaries of Knowledge
• Crossing Borders
• Fundamentals of Study

Foundation Year Option Modules

• Chinese 1 (Level 4)
• French 1
• French 2
• French 3 (Level 4)
• French 4 (Level 4)
• German 1
• German 2
• German 3 (Level 4)
• German 4 (Level 4)
• Italian 1
• Italian 2
• Italian 3 (Level 4)
• Italian 4 (Level 4)
• Japanese 1
• Japanese 2
• Japanese 3 (Level 4)
• Japanese 4 (Level 4)
• Korean 1 (Level 4)
• Spanish 1
• Spanish 2
• Spanish 3 (Level 4)
• Spanish 4 (Level 4)
• The Humanities and Social Sciences: Global Issues in Historical Perspective