Program Overview

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Overview

Criminology with Counselling

The Criminology with Counselling program at the University of Salford is a comprehensive course that combines the study of criminology with counselling studies. This unique combination of disciplines provides students with a solid grounding in both areas, preparing them for careers in the criminal justice system.

Introduction

Criminology is concerned with understanding the causes of crime and deviant behavior, how this affects society, and how the criminal justice system responds to it. This course develops students into analytical and critical thinkers, exploring crime as a social construct and examining the role of counselling in the criminal justice system.

Course Details

All About the Course

This course draws upon existing provision within criminology and counselling at Salford to provide students with a solid grounding in both disciplines. Core modules cover general theories and key studies in each discipline, together with criminological research methods and counselling techniques.

Year One

• Contemporary Challenges in Crime and Society: This module explores contemporary global challenges and complexities in crime and society.
• Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Approaches: An introduction to basic counselling, communication, listening, interpersonal skills, and reflective practice.
• Criminal Justice and Human Rights: This module introduces students to the form, key features, and purpose of the institutions of the contemporary criminal justice system in England and Wales.
• Social Justice in Action: This module explores a wide range of social justice issues and what is done in Greater Manchester to address them.
• Therapy, Ethics, and Human Rights: This module helps students formulate a grounding in a fundamental aspect of counselling, that of ethical practice and the commitment to human rights.
• Understanding Criminology: This module introduces fundamental questions in criminology and explores key concepts.

Year Two

• Theoretical Criminology: This module develops an understanding of the range of theories of crime and criminal justice and locates the key issues of criminology within their socio-political and historical context.
• Intermediate Counselling Skills - 1: This module gains knowledge of the Rogerian Person-centred approach to counselling.
• Intermediate Counselling Skills - 2: This module supports students in extending their knowledge relating to counselling skills and how psychotherapeutic approaches can support people with mental health issues.
• Research Problems and Methods: Qualitatively better: This module develops an understanding of competing methodological approaches to social research.
• Research Problems and Methods: Making it count: This module gains an understanding of the survey research process, including forming a suitable research question, operationalisation, and types of sampling strategy.

Year Three

• Dissertation: This module examines a Criminological topic of the student's choice in an independent piece of research.
• Work: Practice and Reflection: This module engages students in work-based learning, making practical and conceptual connections between the academic study of criminology and work-based activities.

Optional Modules

Criminology Optional Modules (Semester One)

• Crime, Society, and Racialisation: This module gains an understanding of the construction of deviant labels based on variables of ethnicity, gender, and youth.
• Probation and Rehabilitation: This module develops an understanding of rehabilitation and personal change, developing a critical appreciation of how dominant theoretical approaches underpin professional practice in criminal justice.
• Migration and Socio-Legal Dynamics: This module explores the complex interconnections within the field of migration studies and human rights.
• Critical Approaches to (Counter) Terrorism: This module provides students with a systematic understanding of terrorism and counterterrorism in the twenty-first century.

Counselling Optional Modules (Semester One)

• Counselling and Mental Health: This module gains an overview of the historical as well as the contemporary psychological understanding of mental health.
• Bereavement and Loss: This module explores major theories of bereavement and loss, critically appraising their strengths and limitations with regard to psychotherapeutic work.

Criminology Optional Modules (Semester Two)

• Gender, Crime, and Criminal Justice: This module offers a broad introduction to the gendered dimensions of crime/criminality, criminal victimisation, criminal justice, and penology.
• Prisons and Punishment: This module develops an understanding of the evolution of the modern prison and of the relationship between prisons, probation, the courts, and the media and the economic and social environment in which they operate.
• The Criminal Justice Process: This module gains an overview of the philosophy, nature, significance, outcomes, and consequences of the criminal justice process.

Counselling Optional Modules (Semester Two)

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Skills: This module describes and critically evaluates the key features of the CBT model and discusses new developments in CBT.
• Expressive Therapies: This module offers both cognitive and experiential learning opportunities and offers ‘taster experiences’ of a range of different arts therapy approaches.

School of Health and Society

The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact. Our courses are informed by the latest research, and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice.

Employment and Stats

A degree in Criminology and Counselling provides a strong foundation for a wide range of occupations from victim and witness support, prison, probation work, and community rehabilitation companies. Our graduates have gone on to become victim support workers, prison officers, police officers, crime analysts, private security managers, youth offending workers, and to occupy a variety of roles in programmes focusing on drug use, domestic violence, or other problems.

Requirements

Applicant Profile

This course responds to the needs of the criminal justice sector, in developing both subject expertise and skills that can be used for practice in the field. We have close associations with industry and professional bodies such as Greater Manchester Police, Local NHS trusts, Local Prisons, Greater Manchester Probation Authority, Salford Magistrates Court, and Salford – Youth Offending Team.

English Language Requirements

If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.0. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree.

Standard Entry Requirements

• GCSE: English Language and Maths at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• UCAS Tariff points: 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• A levels: 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• BTEC National Diploma: DMM.
• T-Level: T Level - Merit.
• Foundation Degree: Applicants will be considered for entry into first year.
• Access to HE: 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• Scottish Highers: 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• International Baccalaureate: 30 points.

Alternative Entry Requirements

The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is used as per the university’s Admissions and Retention Policy. If you are made an offer, you’ll be notified about what you need to do next to proceed with this route.

Tuition Fees

• Full-time home: £9,535 per year (2025/26), £9,535 per year (2026/27).
• Full-time international: £16,500 per year (2025/26), £17,160 per year (2026/27).
• Part-time: Part-time costs will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Additional Costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding, and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Scholarships for International Students

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our International Scholarships.