Criminology and Psychology

University of Portsmouth
Undergraduate BSc (Hons) Full-time 3 Years SociologyPsychology

A-Level Entry

BBB - BBC

UCAS Points

112 - 120 points

Avg. Graduate Salary

£25,000

About this course

This is a Connected Degree

Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview

When you work with criminals and their victims, the ability to understand people's emotions, thoughts and actions is vital. This combined BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology degree gives you a deep understanding of criminal behaviour, for a competitive edge in your career.

You'll explore why people commit crimes, the psychological fallout, and how rehabilitation works. Studying in one of the UK's largest criminology departments, your diverse options will also include specialist subjects such as forensic psychology.

Course highlights

  • Tailor your degree for a career path that fits your ambitions – from policing to probation, prisons to rehabilitation

  • Be taught by experts, including forensic psychologists and criminologists, whose ground-breaking research keeps your modules relevant and eye-opening

  • Develop practical skills, such as lie detection and effective interviewing, in our Forensic Interviewing Suite, founded by a researcher who works with emergency services to develop better ways of interviewing witnesses

  • Explore how virtual reality can make a difference to understanding criminal behaviour, inspired by innovative VR research at the University of Portsmouth

  • Enjoy a sense of community with your peers, on course-specific socials and field trips – recent examples include visits to courtrooms and Bethlem Museum of the Mind, on the grounds of the infamous 'Bedlam' Hospital

  • If you’re interested in policing, probation work or community justice, you can choose modules that give you pre-entry qualifications for a career in those fields

  • Make the most of our links with agencies such as youth offender teams, the probation service and prisons, to build your network of potential employers

    Careers and opportunities

    By studying aspects of two different but related disciplines – psychology and criminology – you’ll open yourself to a wide range of career options. You’ll be a natural fit for roles relating to work with offenders or victims of crime. Both are areas where there will likely always be a demand for skilled professionals.

    The psychology aspects of your studies will broaden your career options. Your understanding of the human mind and behaviour could lead you to specialist jobs, such as forensic psychology (with further training). Knowledge of psychology can also be an asset in a diverse range of roles outside of criminal justice - from market research to human resources. With transferable skills in communications, critical thinking and analysis on your CV, you’ll be a very employable graduate.

    What areas can you work in with a criminology and psychology degree?

    Organisations you could work for include:

  • the police force

  • the probation service

  • the prison service

  • academic research

  • victim and offender support charities

    What jobs can you do with a criminology with psychology degree?

    Our graduates have gone on to jobs such as:

  • investigative data analyst

  • police officer

  • defence and security analyst

  • probation officer

  • counter fraud intelligence analyst

  • youth offending support officer

  • offender case administrator

    Our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the field. You'll also get support for up to 5 years after you leave the University.

    • Entry Requirements

    A-Level Grades BBB - BBC
    UCAS Tariff Points 112 - 120 points
    BTEC DDM - DMM

    Study Options

    This course is available in 2 study options:

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 3 Years

    Qualification: BSc (Hons)

    Location: Portsmouth

    Avg. Salary: £25,000

    Sandwich

    Duration: 4 Years

    Qualification: BSc (Hons)

    Location: Portsmouth

    Avg. Salary: £25,000

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    1162 Senior police officers
    3219 Health associate professionals
    3314 Prison service officers (below principal officer)
    2462 Probation officers
    2435 Professional/Chartered company secretaries
    3319 Protective service associate professionals

    Related Courses

    International Hospitality and Tourism Management

    University of Portsmouth

    MSc Full-time 1 Year PG Portsmouth

    Business and Management (Top-Up)

    University of Portsmouth

    BA (Hons) Full-time 1 Year UG London

    Marketing and Management

    University of Portsmouth

    BSc (Hons) Full-time 3 Years UG Portsmouth

    A-Levels

    BBB - BBC

    UCAS Points

    112 - 120 points

    Avg. Salary

    £26,000

    Course Details

    Qualification
    Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    3 Years
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    Portsmouth
    Scheme
    Undergraduate
    Subjects
    Sociology, Psychology
    Avg. Graduate Salary
    £25,000

    Offered by

    University of Portsmouth

    Portsmouth

     View university profile
    Visit university website