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Criminology and Criminal Psychology

Aberystwyth UniversityAberystwyth, United Kingdom

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Tuition Fee

Not Available

Start Date

Not Available

Study Mode

On campus

Duration

36 months

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Program Details

Degree
Bachelors
Major
Criminal Justice | Criminology | Psychology
Area of study
Social Sciences
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English

Program Overview

BSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology

Course Overview

The BSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology degree provides a balanced coverage of theory, policy and practice issues in criminology and criminal justice studies. The course draws upon sociological, psychological and legal theories and real-world examples to explore the causes of crime, how crime is defined, and why certain behaviours are regarded as criminal.


Key Facts

  • UCAS Tariff: 120 - 96
  • Course duration: 3 years
  • Available for September start 2025

Modules

Year 1

  • Core:
    • Crime Control and Prevention
    • Essential Skills for Criminologists
    • Foundations of Psychology
    • Introduction to Criminology
    • Legal and Criminal Justice Systems
  • Options:
    • Criminal Law
    • Criminology in Action

Year 2

  • Core:
    • Psychological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour
    • Psychology and Crime
    • Psychopathology
    • Quantitative Research Skills
    • Treatment and Rehabilitation of Offenders
  • Options:
    • Climate Change and Environmental Law
    • Community Justice
    • Contemporary Issues in Criminology
    • Crime and the Media
    • Criminal Justice Placement
    • Critical Perspectives on Imprisonment
    • Cybercrime and Cybersecurity
    • Drugs and Crime
    • Family and Child Law
    • Human Rights
    • Humanitarian Law
    • Medicine Ethics and the Law
    • Police, Policing and Society
    • Principles of Evidence
    • Sports Law and Society
    • Victimology
    • Wrongful convictions in criminological context
    • Youth Crime and Justice

Year 3

  • Core:
    • Psychology and Crime
    • Psychopathology
    • Treatment and Rehabilitation of Offenders
  • Options:
    • Empirically Based Criminology Dissertation
    • Law and Criminology Dissertation
    • Climate Change and Environmental Law
    • Community Justice
    • Contemporary Issues in Criminology
    • Crime and the Media
    • Criminal Justice Placement
    • Critical and Radical Criminology
    • Cybercrime and Cybersecurity
    • Drugs and Crime
    • Employability Skills for Professionals
    • Family and Child Law
    • Human Rights
    • Humanitarian Law
    • Medicine Ethics and the Law
    • Police, Policing and Society
    • Principles of Evidence
    • Sports Law and Society
    • Victimology
    • Wrongful convictions in criminological context
    • Youth Crime and Justice

Careers

BSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology provides an excellent academic foundation for careers in the criminal justice sector, including the Police and Prison Service, National Probation Services, UK Border Agency, and intelligence analysis for security.


Teaching & Learning

The teaching programme is designed to provide you with a detailed insight into the nature and causes of crime and help you develop a critical understanding of the role of psychology in the study of crime and the treatment of offenders.


Student Testimonials

  • "I love how Criminology makes you question everything around you. It opens your mind to new ideas, concepts and theories which challenge the very foundations of previously held beliefs."
  • "What do I love about Criminology? Well, I really do love it! It is amazing! The modules we are studying are great. Everything we study is so intriguing."

Typical Entry Requirements

  • UCAS Tariff: 120 - 96
  • A Levels: BBB-CCC
  • GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4): English or Welsh
  • BTEC National Diploma: DDM-MMM
  • International Baccalaureate: 30-26
  • European Baccalaureate: 75%-65% overall
  • English Language Requirements: See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Program Outline

Objectives:

  • Examine crime causation and the impact of crime on individuals, communities, and societies.
  • Explore psychological explanations of criminal behaviour and the management of offenders.
  • Develop key technical and analytical skills necessary to engage in contemporary debates surrounding policies and practices designed to prevent crime.

Description:

The program provides a balanced coverage of theory, policy, and practice issues in criminology and criminal justice studies. It draws upon sociological, psychological, and legal theories and real-world examples to explore the causes of crime, how crime is defined, and why certain behaviours are regarded as criminal. The course explores a wide variety of criminological perspectives, ranging from the emergence of Classical Criminology to new and ever-growing fields at the forefront of criminology, such as green crime and wildlife crime. The teaching team comprises staff with expertise in the main disciplines that inform criminological study, such as psychology, sociology, and law. Students will be taught by criminologists who are actively engaged in research. The program has an excellent working relationship with local criminal justice agencies and offers opportunities to undertake a criminal justice placement and supervised independent criminological research. Modules are continually revised and updated to reflect recent changes in patterns of criminal behaviour and crime policy responses. A number of key modules are dedicated to illustrating how psychological theory, methods, and techniques can be used to understand criminal behaviour.

Outline:

Year 1

Core Modules:

  • Crime Control and Prevention (LC10320) - 20 credits
  • Essential Skills for Criminologists (LC13120) - 20 credits
  • Foundations of Psychology (LC13620) - 20 credits
  • Introduction to Criminology (LC12220) - 20 credits
  • Legal and Criminal Justice Systems (LC10120) - 20 credits

Optional Modules:

  • Criminal Law (LC10520) - 20 credits
  • Criminology in Action (LC14120) - 20 credits

Year 2

Core Modules:

  • Psychological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour (LC28120) - 20 credits
  • Psychopathology (LC29220) - 20 credits
  • Quantitative Research Skills (LC25720) - 20 credits
  • Psychology and Crime (LC24020) - 20 credits
  • Treatment and Rehabilitation of Offenders (LC29120) - 20 credits

Optional Modules:

  • Climate Change and Environmental Law (LC27720) - 20 credits
  • Community Justice (LC20320) - 20 credits
  • Contemporary Issues in Criminology (LC24220) - 20 credits
  • Crime & Punishment in Historical Perspective (LC23020) - 20 credits
  • Criminal Justice Placement (LC22520) - 20 credits
  • Criminal Law (LC20520) - 20 credits
  • Critical Perspectives on Imprisonment (LC22020) - 20 credits
  • Cybercrime and Cybersecurity (LC21920) - 20 credits
  • Drugs and Crime (LC28220) - 20 credits
  • Family and Child Law (LC26420) - 20 credits
  • Human Rights (LC25220) - 20 credits
  • Humanitarian Law (LC27620) - 20 credits
  • Medicine Ethics and the Law (LC26720) - 20 credits
  • Police, Policing and Society (LC21020) - 20 credits
  • Principles of Evidence (LC26520) - 20 credits
  • Sports Law and Society (LC27920) - 20 credits
  • Wrongful convictions in criminological context (LC22320) - 20 credits
  • Youth Crime and Justice (LC26120) - 20 credits

Year 3

Core Modules:

  • Psychopathology (LC39220) - 20 credits
  • Psychology and Crime (LC34020) - 20 credits
  • Treatment and Rehabilitation of Offenders (LC39120) - 20 credits

Optional Modules:

  • Empirically Based Criminology Dissertation (LC30140) - 40 credits
  • Law and Criminology Dissertation (LC39020) - 20 credits
  • Climate Change and Environmental Law (LC37720) - 20 credits
  • Community Justice (LC30320) - 20 credits
  • Contemporary Issues in Criminology (LC34220) - 20 credits
  • Crime & Punishment in Historical Perspective (LC33020) - 20 credits
  • Criminal Justice Placement (LC32520) - 20 credits
  • Criminal Law (LC30520) - 20 credits
  • Critical Perspectives on Imprisonment (LC32020) - 20 credits
  • Critical and Radical Criminology (LC37120) - 20 credits
  • Cybercrime and Cybersecurity (LC31920) - 20 credits
  • Drugs and Crime (LC38220) - 20 credits
  • Employability Skills for Professionals (LC36620) - 20 credits
  • Family and Child Law (LC36420) - 20 credits
  • Human Rights (LC35220) - 20 credits
  • Humanitarian Law (LC37620) - 20 credits
  • Medicine Ethics and the Law (LC36720) - 20 credits
  • Police, Policing and Society (LC31020) - 20 credits
  • Principles of Evidence (LC36520) - 20 credits
  • Sports Law and Society (LC37920) - 20 credits
  • Wrongful convictions in criminological context (LC32320) - 20 credits
  • Youth Crime and Justice (LC36120) - 20 credits

Assessment:

Students will be assessed through a combination of essays, exams, study logs or portfolios, and oral presentations including mooting exercises.

Teaching:

  • Students will be taught through a combination of innovative and high-quality lectures, tutorials, and seminars.
  • Lectures will introduce key concepts and relevant up-to-date information.
    • Students will also have access to recorded versions of lectures.
  • Tutorials and seminars provide opportunities to discuss specific legal themes or topics, evaluate and obtain feedback on individual learning, and improve the construction of legal arguments.
  • A personal tutor will be assigned to each student for the duration of their degree course.

Careers:

The BSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology provides an excellent academic foundation for careers in the criminal justice sector, including:

  • Police and Prison Service
  • National Probation Services
  • UK Border Agency
  • Intelligence analysis for security
    • The program equips students with the following skills:
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in written and oral form
  • Effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills
  • Ability to work independently and as a team
  • Time management and organization skills
  • Self-motivation and self-reliance
  • Research skills

Other:

  • The Department of Law and Criminology lecturers are mostly either qualified to PHD level or have professional experience and qualifications as practicing lawyers.
    • Many staff also have a PGCE (Higher Education).
  • The program is designed to provide students with a detailed insight into the nature and causes of crime and help them develop a critical understanding of the role of psychology in the study of crime and the treatment of offenders.
  • Students will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of the relationship between theory, research, and criminal justice practice; enhance their criminology research skills; further their understanding of the role of psychology in explaining criminal behaviour; conduct independent research on a topic of their own choosing; and undertake a voluntary work placement in a criminal justice setting.

About University

Overview:

Abertay University is a public university located in Dundee, Scotland. It is known for its focus on applied learning and its strong industry links. The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as research opportunities.

Services Offered:

Abertay University provides a variety of services to its students, including:

    Accommodation:

    The university offers a range of student accommodation options, including halls of residence and private apartments.

    Student Support:

    The university has a dedicated student support team that provides advice and guidance on a range of issues, including academic, personal, and financial matters.

    Careers Service:

    The university's careers service helps students with their career planning, job searching, and internship applications.

    Library:

    The Bernard King Library offers a wide range of resources, including books, journals, and online databases.

    Sport:

    Abertay Sport offers a variety of sports and fitness activities for students.

Student Life and Campus Experience:

Abertay University offers a vibrant and welcoming campus experience. Students can expect:

    A buzzing city centre campus:

    The university is located in the heart of Dundee, a vibrant city with a thriving arts and culture scene.

    A strong student community:

    The Abertay Students' Association (ASA) provides a range of social and support services for students.

    Opportunities to get involved:

    Students can join a variety of clubs and societies, participate in volunteering activities, and take part in events and activities organized by the university.

Key Reasons to Study There:

    Focus on applied learning:

    Abertay University is known for its practical and industry-relevant approach to teaching.

    Strong industry links:

    The university has strong relationships with businesses and organizations, providing students with opportunities for internships, placements, and career development.

    Vibrant and welcoming campus experience:

    Abertay University offers a friendly and supportive environment for students.

    Located in a thriving city:

    Dundee is a vibrant city with a lot to offer students, including a thriving arts and culture scene, a range of shops and restaurants, and easy access to the Scottish countryside.

Academic Programs:

Abertay University offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

    Undergraduate programs:

    The university offers a variety of undergraduate degrees in areas such as business, law, social science, applied sciences, design, and informatics.

    Postgraduate programs:

    Abertay University offers a range of postgraduate taught and research degrees.

    Online Master's Degrees:

    The university offers a number of online Master's degrees for students who want to study flexibly.

Other:

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