Psychology with Criminology
Psychology and criminology are natural companions. Both disciplines are fundamentally concerned with understanding human behaviour, but where psychology asks why people think, feel, and act as they do, criminology applies that lens to questions of crime, justice, and social control. Together they offer a particularly powerful framework for examining why crimes are committed, how offenders and victims experience the criminal justice system, and what interventions might reduce harm.
This combination is both intellectually satisfying and practically relevant to a wide range of careers.
At Nottingham Trent University, this three-year full-time degree explores the theoretical and empirical foundations of both disciplines. You will study core psychological concepts including cognitive processes, developmental psychology, social influence, and research methods, alongside criminological theories that examine crime from sociological, psychological, and political perspectives. You will encounter key debates around policing, sentencing, rehabilitation, and the treatment of offenders and victims, and you will develop the analytical and research skills needed to engage critically with evidence in both fields.
The typical entry tariff of 104 points makes the programme accessible to students with a range of backgrounds.
The skills you develop are directly relevant to a broad range of graduate careers. Many students go on to work in probation, youth offending teams, the prison service, social work, victim support, and community mental health. Others pursue roles in the police service, policy development, or research.
The combination of psychological insight and criminological understanding is also valued in fields such as forensic consultancy, security, and criminal justice charities. For those wishing to go further, postgraduate study in forensic psychology, criminology, social work, or counselling offers routes into more specialist practice and can support professional qualification in regulated fields.