Criminology and Psychology, BSc (Hons)

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criminology and psychology

Providing you with detailed insight into the mind, brain and behaviour, alongside analysis of social structures, power, crime and inequality, as part of a degree that is highly ranked for employability in two disciplines.

Course Overview

Studying Criminology and Psychology at Swansea University will give you expert scientific training in the relationship between the mind, brain and behaviour. 

You will study the psychological and neuro-scientific processes that underpin activities such as thinking, reasoning, memory and language, while learning about the effects of brain injury, and investigating ways to improve health-related behaviour. 

Alongside this, the programme also opportunities to explore the complex factors that shape criminal behaviour, the decisions that define certain acts as criminal, and the ways society responds to deviance and harm. 

Why Criminology and Psychology at Swansea University?

  • We are highly ranked for employability in both Criminology and Psychology
  • Explore specialist areas of study such as youth crime, policing, social exclusion, neurodiversity, mental health and wellbeing, and forensic psychology
  • Engage with state-of-the-art Hydra Suite simulations, which are routinely used for critical incident training and debriefing within criminal and emergency roles such as the Police
  • Our Psychology degrees are validated by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and, providing you achieve at least a 2:2 in your degree, you will be eligible for Graduate Membership of the BPS and for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), the first step to becoming a Chartered Psychologist 

Your Criminology and Psychology experience

Our Criminology and Psychology programme is founded on the principle that understanding crime, harm, justice and social regulation requires both the psychological insight into the mind, brain and behaviour, and the criminological analysis of social structures, power, inequality and control. These disciplines are not taught as disconnected strands, but are intentionally designed to reinforce, interrogate and support each another across the curriculum.

The Psychology content provides you with a scientific grounding in the mechanisms underlying cognition, emotion, development, individual differences and social behaviour, while the criminology content situates these processes within wider legal, cultural, political and historical contexts. Together, these disciplines will equip you to understand complex social phenomena such as offending, victimisation, deviance, justice and rehabilitation.

The programme also provides opportunities for real-world experience - even if you choose not to undertake a Year in Industry, you will have the option to complete a work placement as part of the Work Placement module. Placements are mainly in the third sector, but you are also able to source your own opportunity. The module is competitive, and places are limited.

Modules

We've enhanced our modules to deliver an engaging learning experience, designed to help you develop the skills employers are looking for. Discover what's on offer and feel inspired by the modules you can study.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Entry requirements are your guide, not your barrier, and our offers will be tailored to you and what we think you can accomplish.

We know that things can change as you go through this journey. You can talk to us about your offer at any stage and we will make sure that it's achievable for you.

Careers and Employability

This BPS-accredited degree provides a strong foundation in psychological theory, research, and applied skills. While some graduates choose to pursue further training in specialist areas of psychology (such as clinical, forensic, educational, or sports psychology), most go on to build successful careers across a wide range of industries.

Graduates from this course have progressed into roles in health and social care, education, research, and public and civil services, as well as careers in management, human resources, marketing, user experience, and data analysis. The analytical, research, communication, and problem-solving skills developed during the degree are highly valued by employers well beyond traditional psychology pathways. You also have the opportunity to seek employment in the criminal justice system, including roles with the police, victim support, and prison and probation services.

Whether you choose to continue into postgraduate study or move directly into employment, this degree equips you with flexible, transferable skills that open up diverse career pathways, rather than leading to a single professional route.

Criminology and Psychology, BSc (Hons)

Criminology and Psychology with a Year Abroad, BSc (Hons)