Criminology and Psychology

Criminology and Psychology brings together two disciplines that illuminate the same terrain from different directions. Psychology provides the scientific understanding of how individuals think, feel, and behave, including the factors that can lead people toward harmful or criminal conduct. Criminology examines the social, political, and institutional dimensions of crime: how societies define and respond to it, who is most at risk of becoming a victim or an offender, and whether criminal justice systems actually achieve their stated goals.

Together they provide a richer and more practically useful understanding of crime and justice than either can offer independently.

At the University of Portsmouth, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year with work placement opportunities and a year abroad, making it one of the more richly structured degrees in this combined area. You will cover the core areas of psychology, including cognitive, social, developmental, and biological psychology, alongside criminological theory, the sociology of deviance, forensic psychology, policing, victimology, and research methods in both disciplines. The placement year and year abroad give you real-world experience and an international perspective that enrich both the academic content and your professional profile.

Graduates from Criminology and Psychology pursue careers in criminal justice, mental health, social care, and research. The police service, probation, youth offending teams, the prison service, and victim support are established destinations. Forensic psychology, which requires further postgraduate training, is a popular specialist direction.

Social work, counselling, and community support roles are further options. Academic research in either or both disciplines attracts graduates who want to contribute to the evidence base. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in forensic psychology, criminology, counselling psychology, or social work, and the combined degree provides a strong foundation for all of these routes.