Criminology with Psychology

Criminology and psychology are disciplines with a natural and important relationship. Criminology examines crime as a social phenomenon: why it occurs, how it is defined and measured, how society responds to it through policing, courts and prisons, and what the consequences of these responses are for individuals and communities. Psychology brings a scientific understanding of human behaviour, cognition and emotion to these questions, examining the psychological factors that contribute to offending, victimisation and responses to crime, and the applications of psychological knowledge in criminal justice settings.

Together, they give you a comprehensive and multi-level understanding of crime that combines social analysis with scientific rigour.

At Middlesex University, this part-time programme, which is available with a foundation year for students who benefit from additional preparation, allows you to develop your knowledge and analytical skills while managing other commitments. The part-time mode suits students who are working, caring for others, or returning to education, and the foundation year option provides a structured introduction to academic study at degree level before you enter the main programme. You will engage with the causes of crime, the psychology of criminal behaviour, policing and investigation, victimology, forensic psychology, criminal justice systems, and the social dynamics that shape patterns of offending and response.

A sandwich year placement and a work placement are also available, giving you professional experience in criminology or psychology-related settings.

You will develop critical analytical skills, the ability to evaluate evidence and theory, and a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between psychological, social and structural factors in crime and justice.

Graduates move into criminal justice, probation and offender management, forensic psychology (with further training), policing, youth justice, social work, research, policy, and victim support roles. Postgraduate study in criminology, forensic psychology, social work or law is a well-supported pathway.