Psychology with Criminology

Psychology and criminology are disciplines with a great deal to say to each other. Psychology examines how individuals think, feel, and behave, and the mental and developmental processes that shape those responses. Criminology takes a broader focus, examining the social, structural, and individual factors that drive crime and the systems society has developed to respond to it.

Together they give you a more complete picture of offending and victimisation than either discipline offers alone, and a toolkit that is directly applicable to careers in criminal justice, mental health, social work, and the wider public and third sectors.

At the University of the West of England, Bristol, this part-time programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society, which means the psychology component meets the requirements for graduate basis for chartered membership, an important step on the path to professional registration as a psychologist. The programme has a strong practical focus that builds professional skills and enhances your employability. A sandwich year and work placement opportunities are built into the course, giving you professional experience in relevant settings alongside your academic formation.

This practical grounding is central to the degree's character and directly relevant to the careers its graduates pursue.

Graduates of psychology with criminology go on to careers in the criminal justice system, including probation, prison services, and the police, as well as in forensic psychology, mental health services, social work, victim support, and community safety. Many use the BPS-accredited psychology component as the foundation for further professional training, including postgraduate conversion programmes in clinical, forensic, educational, or occupational psychology. Others move into policy, advocacy, research, and roles in third-sector organisations working with vulnerable or offending populations.

The combination of psychological and criminological knowledge is increasingly valued across the public sector as understanding of the relationship between mental health and offending behaviour grows.