Learn how psychological science can help explain human behaviour and criminal activity on our BPS-accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology degree. You'll investigate real-world issues, challenge assumptions and develop skills valued by employers.

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UCAS Code

Start Date

September 2026

Location

Pontypridd

Campus Code

UCAS Points

Home students: £9,790*

International students: £17,200*

Home students: £804*

September 2027

International students: £17,600*

In this section

* Overview

* Course Content

* Teaching and Assessment

* Career Prospects

* Entry and Fees

How to apply Register for open day

## Course Overview

You’ll look at the inner workings of the human mind and explore how this affects patterns of criminal behaviour from motivation to offend through to handling wrongful accusations and victim impact.

This course is ideal for you if you are interested in becoming a criminal psychologist or working within the criminal justice system. The cross-disciplinary approach enables you to look at criminal behaviour under a psychological lens to understand the motivations and consequences of crime and its perpetrators, as well as preventative measures.

### Accreditations

Image: Accreditation Logo 1

Accredited by The British Psychological Society.

## Why study this course?

### Psychology Plus

Our Psychology Plus scheme offers free opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge base with specialist short courses, professional certificates, and work placements.

### Outstanding facilities

On this degree, you will have access to our amazing psychology facilities, as well as the use of the Hydra Simulation Suite Centre for scenario-based simulation learning.

### BPS Accreditation

Our BSc Psychology with Criminology and Criminal Justice is accredited by the British Psychological Society for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

### External Partnerships

Our Psychology programme powers up your prospects through partnership. You will be challenged to apply your learning to real life practical issues and provide reviews and reports to update partners on your findings.

## What you'll study

[Button: Year One][Button: Year Two][Button: Year Three]

You will take 80 credits of psychology modules as well as 40 credits of criminology modules. You will start to look at the core areas of Psychology and experience psychological research first hand.

We will also introduce you to the criminal justice system and explore the patterns of crime and criminal behaviour and its impact on society.

## Exploring Crime and Deviance

Focuses upon contemporary sociological and developmental theories of crime against a background of the classical ideas within the field.

## Inside the Criminal Justice System

Follows the journey through the criminal justice system, from arrest, court, custody, and release through to parole. We consider the legal processes at each stage and explore how individual differences may affect treatment.

## Critical Perspectives in Psychology

Introduction to the core BPS perspectives of psychology (Biological, Cognitive, Social and Developmental) and the effect of individual differences on behaviour with emphasis on the key theoretical approaches and how these shape understanding.

## Investigating Methods and Evidence in Psychology

We will look at the process of conducting ethical research in Psychology and analysing the data produced. We will explore both quantitative and qualitative approaches, readying you for psychological research in your future.

This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh

Continuing with the 80 credits to 40 credits split of your first year, we will continue with the core areas of psychology, whilst also introducing you to some key issues and debates that surround prisons and policing, resettlement after release, and violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV).

## Unmasking Violent Crime

This module delves into the dynamics of violence. It explores the root causes, manifestations, and consequences of violence; and will also offer insights into effective prevention strategies.

## From Crime Scene to Court: Investigating Crime

The aim of this module is to equip students with the essential practical knowledge and competence required for effective investigative work, encompassing a broad spectrum of investigative techniques, tactics, and contemporary methodologies from within the field of complex investigations.

## Professional Practice and Employability

You will have the opportunity for work experience, as well as gain transferable skills and explore how to gain employment.

## Advanced Methods and Evidence in Psychology

We will explore more advanced statistical and qualitative analysis, building on the methods you covered in the first year of your degree.

## From Cells to Consciousness

We will build on the critical perspectives of psychology covered in your first year, exploring how biology and the brain influence behaviour (e.g., attention, memory, decision making) with consideration of individual differences.

## Lifespan Development in the Social Context

We will build on your critical perspectives in psychology, exploring the social and developmental factors that influence our behaviour (e.g., attitudes and attribution) with consideration of individual factors.

In your final year, you will take a compulsory 40 credit dissertation plus a 20-credit specified forensic psychology module and a 20-credit specified criminology module looking at criminal investigations alongside two optional modules of your choosing, one in psychology and one in criminology.

## Behind Bars and Beyond: Exploring Prisons, Probation and Resettlement Optional

This module provides an in-depth exploration of the history and contemporary use of imprisonment, addressing key issues, debates, and theoretical underpinnings that have shaped the penal system in England and Wales. It traces the evolution of imprisonment from its origins in 'the birth of the modern prison' to its present-day application.

## Exploring Homicide: From Corporate Homicide to Serial Killers Optional

This module initiates an in-depth exploration into the multifaceted concept of homicide, delving into its social, legal, investigative and psychological perspectives.

## Breaking the Silence: Examining Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Optional

The aim of this module is to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence (VAWDASV), including exploring theoretical perspectives.

## Health Psychology across the Lifespan Optional

We will explore the effect of biology, psychology and social factors on physical health (ill health, preventative healthcare and wellbeing) and consider how this varies across the lifespan and levels of individual responsibility.

## Psychology Dissertation

You will complete an independent research project, building on the skills developed throughout your degree. You will explore a subject of interest of your choosing with support from supervisors with a range of expertise.

## The Psychology of Education and Work Optional

We will focus on the practical application of psychology to contemporary education, exploring techniques to promote academic achievement and considering the health and well-being of educators.

## Psychological Disorders and Therapeutic Interventions Optional

We will explore clinical disorders, such as eating disorders, anxiety, developmental disorders, and schizophrenia, evaluating the diagnostic and treatment practices of these.

## Applications of Social Psychology Optional

We will look at social identity and how it can be used to improve negative circumstances, exploring the impact of the environment on social identity and using this to promote responsible behaviour, as well as social relationships online.

## Cognitive Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Optional

We will explore the impact of brain damage on cognitive processes, exploring the ways we investigate neuroanatomical regions whilst considering environmental factors.

## Forensic Psychology

We will focus on the practical application of contemporary forensic psychology, considering police and security investigation, psychological aspects of CJS and psychological aspects of offender management.

We regularly review our courses to keep pace with changing skills and employer needs. If a review leads to significant changes, we’ll contact you to explain what’s changing for the coming year.

## Teaching and Assessment

We want you to have the opportunity to explore psychology, criminology and criminal justice in new ways, with varied means of delivery and assessment across all modules: one of our most exciting features is how varied the learning is on our course.

## [Button: How you’ll learn ]

Our BSc Psychology with Criminology course provides you with an engaging and immersive learning environment through workshops, projects, group activities, placements, and simulation learning in the Hydra Simulation Suite. We also arrange guest lectures throughout the year delivered by academics from other institutions and practising psychologists from various fields.

## [Button: How you'll be assessed ]

Assessments are designed to build your knowledge and skills step by step using a variety of assessment types.

You’ll move from essays to group dissertation projects, with the opportunity to work with our established industry partners.

As a BPS accredited degree, your assessments will include research reports alongside applied real-world challenges, with the opportunity to use our psychology laboratory facilities.

## [Button: Placements ]

All students are guaranteed a 6-week placement in our on-campus Early Intervention Service , with opportunities to progress to Level 2 and 3 placements.

This provides you with practical experience and to be able to apply your psychological knowledge in practice.

As part of your degree, you will complete the Professional Practice and Employability module, where you understand and apply psychological theory to the workplace and are supported to complete a placement of your choice

We want to help you enhance your skillset to open as may doors as possible for your future career, and you can also find a range of options for this through our Psychology Plus scheme, including volunteering, internships and short courses.

## [Button: Facilities ]

Our purpose-built psychology lab is filled with industry standard equipment that you will use throughout your studies, as well as interview and observation rooms that allow you, as a researcher, to observe human behaviour in a natural manner through a one-way screen. Some of the equipment that you will use includes eye-tracking equipment, Electroencephalography (EEG) machines, and BIOPAC systems.

Our Psychology department includes teaching rooms, the psychology laboratory, staff offices, student kitchen, and spaces for students to socialise and learn together. This is all located together creating a strong student and staff community.

As part of our dedicated Psychology space, you will also be able to book a space for quiet study and access the dedicated social learning space with computers and psychology textbooks.

### Course Leader

### Laura Drummond

Meet Laura, she specialises in Health Psychology, with a focus on lifestyle behaviours including alcohol use, physical activity, and diet, and the mechanisms underpinning behaviour change.

Laura has a strong interest in the use of digital technologies, such as mobile apps, to support and sustain behaviour change. Laura adopts a student-centred, interactive teaching style, drawing on real-world case studies and evidence-based approaches. Her research interests centre on developing and evaluating behaviour change interventions, particularly those supported by technology.

Email Laura Chat with Laura

## Career Prospects

Graduates with 2:2 or higher will receive the Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society, meaning that they are able to go onto further specialised study in forensic psychology, if desired, or onto specialised professional training in your chosen area.

### Your future career

You’ll graduate ready to move into further study in forensic psychology and criminology. You’ll be ready to work with real people and real cases, using your understanding of behaviour, risk and offending to support rehabilitation, make assessments and help reduce reoffending in practical, meaningful ways. Potential career paths include:

Forensic Psychology

Prison Service

Probation

Victim Support

Intelligence Gathering

Image: Graduate Jack wearing his graduation cap and robe

> ‘’My placement in the Behaviour Analysis Clinic for children with Autism helped significantly in terms of career and personal development – as well as being personally enjoyable and rewarding.’’

Jack Erasmus, Psychology graduate

Learn more

### Salary Expectations

A Psychology with Criminoloy degree can open opportunities across Psychology and the wider sector. Psychology careers offer strong earning potential:

Median wage

UK: £30.2k per annum

Wales: £29.8k per annum

Total jobs in 2025

UK: 273,583

Wales: 12,937

A key element of our psychology degrees is the hands-on experience you will gain throughout your studies.

Psychology Plus provides you with free opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge base, giving you a competitive advantage in the graduate jobs market or when applying for further study. You’ll have access to:

Free short courses

Work experience placements

External, industry-recognised qualifications or certificates

### Industry partners

You will be taught by academics who engage with external partners through research and partnership work. As well as delivering the core BPS curriculum, your degree is informed by real world problems faced by our partners. If you choose to complete a group-based dissertation with an industry partner you will conduct a piece of research that will inform practice in the real world making a difference to your community.

It will also give you the opportunity to work with an industry partner giving you valuable experience.

## Entry Requirements

### Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

How to apply Contextual admissions policy Ask us a question

96 UCAS points or above

#### Typical qualification requirements

A Level:

CCC to exclude General Studies

Welsh BACC:

Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and CC at A Level to exclude General Studies

BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit

Access to HE:

Pass the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points

T Level:

Pass (C and above)

Additional requirements include:

The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

### International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages .

International students Pre-Sessional English

### English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 4 overall and a minimum of 4 in each component or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages .

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages .

## Fees and Funding

UK Full-Time Fee £ 9,790

per year

UK Part-Time Fee £ 804

per 20 credits

Fees and funding Scholarships and bursaries Cost of living support

## [Button: Further information ]

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.

We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

## [Button: Additional costs ]

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

Enhanced DBS

Students will be expected to pay for a DBS or certificate of good behaviour from their home country. The DBS fee includes £49.50 for the enhanced DBS certificate, the Post Office Administration fee and the online administration fee

Cost: £64.74

DBS Updating service

Subscription required for each year of the course for a yearly fee of £16. Please note the service has to be joined within 30 days of receipt of your enhanced DBS certificate

Cost: £16

Placement

Students undertaking placement as part of professional practice modules may incur costs associated with travel to placement.

Cost: Variable

International Full-Time Fee £ 17,200

## What sets us apart?

Top university in Wales and 24th out of 123 universities in the UK.

Guardian University Guide 2027

Image: Three USW students walking outside of Cardiff Campus - Atrium

10 subjects ranked in the Guardian University Guide 2027 Top 10, including two at #1.

Image: Three students studying in a pod in the library at Cardiff campus

Top in Wales for new business startups and 7th in the UK (HEBCIS).

## Explore our facilities

Image What is a Psychology Lab? Play video

## Psychology Lab

Learn in a specialist psychology lab using industry-standard equipment, including eye tracking, EEG and biometric sensors. You’ll explore how people think, feel and behave through hands-on experiments, gaining practical experience in research methods used in modern psychology.

Learn more about Psychology Plus

## How to apply

All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS

You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time).

* ### Psychology with Criminology

* Full-time, 3 years

* September

* Pontypridd

Apply direct

* Part-time, 6 years

* Sandwich, 4 years

## Advanced entry

If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.

Applicants accepted through advanced entry may study a different combination of modules to those advertised, as they will be joining a course already in progress. You will be contacted and advised about these modules once your application has been processed and an offer made.

## International admissions

International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.

* Learn more

* Application toolkit

## Student Stories

> "My favourite part of the course was visiting the Hydra Suite, where I role-played as an educational psychologist exploring developmental disorders - a highlight that brought everything I’d learned to life."

Emily Campbell Psychology student

View student profile

> "I visited multiple universities before choosing USW. Their open day was interactive, and the staff genuinely cared about students. The head of the sports psychology department even remembered my name, which made a huge impression."

Odette Hornby Psychology student

> "USW taught me the value of seeking support, which was a major shift for me. I learned to reach out when needed, whether for academic or personal help. My advice to other care leavers considering higher education? Don’t let your background hold you back."

Antigone Cooper Psychology graduate

> "I loved my psychology degree and thought it was really well taught. I realised early on during my psychology course that I wanted to pursue a PhD, so I asked the faculty if they had any research assistant roles."

Robin Psychology student

## Related stories and highlights

Image Video

### Why Do Employers Love Hiring USW Psychology Graduates?

### Why Studying Psychology Plus at USW Makes You So Employable

Image News Article

### Psychology students help hoarders

### USW launches topical Psychology Podcast

### Psychology students shine spotlight on overlooked ‘dads' voices’ in research partnership

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* Apply via UCAS

* How to apply

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