Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons)

UCAS code: C5P3

Eager to learn about crime, power and harm, as well as social justice? Do you want to learn about the fundamental principles of psychology? Our criminology and psychology degree combines both subjects in a lively and engaging fashion.

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Overview

Course length:	3 years full-time 5 years part-time
Start dates:	September 2025 September 2026
Location:	Edge Hill University
Example offers:	BBC-BBB (A Level) or DMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria
Subject(s):	Criminology
Faculty:	Arts and Sciences
Department:	History, Geography and Social Sciences

Two students chat while stood near the top of the stairs in the Law and Psychology building.

What are the role and functions of the criminal justice system in contemporary societies? Ready to untangle the complexities of criminal behaviour? By combining the study of criminology and psychology, you’ll explore contrasting and complementary perspectives of these two subjects.

We’ve designed this course to allow you some freedom of choice when it comes to choosing your modules – so you’ll be able to explore topics that complement one another. For example, you might examine forensic psychology to understand what motivates people to carry out criminal behaviour in psychology, alongside exploration of how do factors such as ethnicity, gender or class impact on the way in which individuals and communities experience the criminal justice system?

In your final year, an optional dissertation will give you the chance to independently research your specific areas of interest across both fields of study, with the support and guidance of your tutors.

Course features

International students can apply
Sandwich year option available
Studying abroad option available

What you'll study

In your first year of your criminology and psychology degree, we’ll introduce you to the key concepts and principles of criminology and psychology. You’ll study criminological theory, the criminal justice process, criminology in contemporary society, applied psychology and various elements of behavioural psychology. This will give you a solid grounding for your next two years of study.

Compulsory modules:

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In your second year, you’ll start to get a much deeper understanding of critical criminological theory. You’ll choose two criminology modules and three psychology modules from a range of options. You might choose to focus on the relationship between crime, criminology and the media, or the impact of stereotypes on particular social groups. On the psychology side of things, you could choose to specialise in developmental, social, cognitive or biological psychology.

Compulsory modules:

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Five of:

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Biological Psychology studies the human nervous system, including its structure and functioning. There will be a particular focus upon the brain. You will learn in detail the processes by which messages are passed through the system and the way the brain interacts with the hormones of the endocrine system in order to preserve life. The methods by which the brain is commonly researched will also be explored in order to provide a basis for understanding much current research and theorising in psychology.

Module code: PSY2115

Credits: 20

Assessment

60% Coursework

40% Exam

Cognitive Psychology will examine both classic and contemporary research that has led to the development of theories regarding how attention, perception and memory all function. The module will also examine how each of these components interact during everyday tasks. You will consider how thinking, language and emotion enable us to reason about, and interact meaningfully with, the external world, gaining an understanding of the processes used to communicate, comprehend, and use information and knowledge.

Module code: PSY2114

Credits: 20

Assessment

50% Coursework

50% Exam

‘Race’, Crime and Criminology explores how ideas about ‘family origins’ help to shape and determine social, judicial and political responses to perpetrators and victims of crime. The module explores the role of family origins as a major source of social division and aims to show the significance of racism to the reproduction of structural inequalities. You will gain knowledge about patterns of continuity and change in racism and an awareness of the relationship between ethnic and cultural diversity and social and criminal injustice.

Module code: CRI2023

Credits: 20

Assessment

50% Coursework

50% Practical

Your final year gives you the chance to specialise in an area of particular interest. You might choose to study crimes perpetuated by states and powerful organisations or look into substance misuse from a psychological perspective. Perhaps you’ll be interested to explore the expanding field of forensic psychology. You’ll also have the opportunity to complete a criminological dissertation that will combine insights from both disciplines.

60 credits from:

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Crimes of the Powerful 1 traces and explores serious harms and crimes perpetrated by states and associated professional and commercial interests from the eighteenth to mid-twentieth century. Adopting a zemiological frame, the module locates such harms within a range of political forms, particularly during times of social and economic upheaval, and ethnic, national and imperial conflict. The module concludes with a detailed exploration of the origins, implementation, consequences of, and responses to, the extreme state violences of the first half of the twentieth century. The aim is to enable you to critically explore issues at the cutting edge of criminological thinking.

Module code: CRI3021

Credits: 20

Assessment

60% Exam

40% Coursework

Crimes of the Powerful 2 considers the key forms and determinants of serious contemporary harms originating in the actions or omissions of corporations, states and associated powerful organisations after the Second World War. The module critically examines the origins of such harms, the ways in which they are framed within dominant and alternative discourses, and critiques the responses to them. The module takes an expansive view of harm, drawing upon examples from within and without the criminal justice system, at local, national and international levels.

Module code: CRI3022

Credits: 20

Assessment

60% Exam

40% Coursework

Expanding the Criminological Imagination critically reflects upon and analyses the discipline of criminology. You will examine criminology’s political, practical and theoretical strengths and limitations and explore the production and commodification of criminological knowledge. The module will consider whether criminology has become a ‘parasitic’ discipline with the criminalisation of social problems, and the ever increasing techniques of crime control, forming the justification for the discipline’s existence, rather than providing a platform for resistance. You will explore the concept of the ‘criminological imagination’ as an alternative way of envisaging the discipline and its utility. You will also examine the way in which criminology has to connect with other disciplines in order to expand the range of issues it deals with. This is a necessity in order to help criminologists make sense of issues where the ‘normal’ boundaries of criminology would stifle or limit an analysis.

Module code: CRI3113

Credits: 20

Assessment

60% Practical

40% Coursework

Learning Together: The Sociological Imagination involves Edge Hill University students and HMP Thorn Cross students studying and learning together. The module will be taught at HMP Thorn Cross, a young offenders’ institution near Warrington for those aged 18 to 25. The aim is to use education as a means to connect people in higher education and in the criminal justice system: to dismantle stereotypes and prejudices in both directions, and to provide a reflective, empowering and empathic learning experience. C Wright Mills’ seminal work The Sociological Imagination will be the foundation of the substantive content. You will reflect on the interplay between ‘personal troubles’ and ‘public issues’ and, additionally, challenge the process of ‘othering’ by considering your own role in the social and political world.

Module code: CRI3114

Credits: 20

Assessment

60% Coursework

40% Practical

The Politics of Imprisonment provides you with a critical knowledge and understanding of the nature, functions and justifications for the use of punishment, specifically incarceration, in modern society. The module will consider the philosophical theories that are used to legitimise the state’s use of imprisonment and the sociological theories that explain historical developments in the purpose of state punishment. The various divisions and functions of the prison estate will be examined within their historical, structural, political, social and geographical contexts. Related methods of state punishment, such as the death penalty, will also be considered. You will adopt an international perspective and explore penal theory and practice in a range of countries. The relationships between power, legitimacy and justice will be central themes throughout the module.

Module code: CRI3110

Credits: 20

Assessment

50% Coursework

50% Exam

The Politics of Policing equips you with a critical knowledge and understanding of the concept of policing, both in its philosophical sense and as a function of the modern liberal democratic state. The module will consider the role and function of the police service, and explore related issues including police powers, political accountability, protection of civil liberties and the concept of equality before the law. Contemporary strategies and approaches to policing will be located within their structural, political, social and geographical contexts. The module is underpinned by theories of authority, power and legitimacy.

Module code: CRI3109

Credits: 20

Assessment

50% Coursework

50% Exam

Three of:

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Cognitive Neuroscience explores an area that aims to understand the mechanisms of human thought by asking how mental processes such as perception, memory, language and emotion are implemented within the brain. An explosion of new methods dependent on computers and brain imaging has led to enormous progress in this field and allows an array of new problems to be tackled directly. This module provides you with an understanding of how research in cognitive neuroscience has informed our understanding of cognitive processes in the brain. You will discover how to describe and critically evaluate the experimental methods most frequently used by psychologists working in cognitive neuroscience and explore their relative suitability in a variety of domains.

Module code: PSY3143

Credits: 20

Assessment

60% Coursework

40% Practical

Evolutionary Psychology explores adaptive influences on behaviour and equips you with an understanding of evolutionary science and the contributions of evolutionary psychology to our current understanding of the brain and behaviour. Most psychologists and psychology researchers believe that the neural mechanisms that underpin our psychological abilities and propensities are the product of evolution – of natural, kin, and sexual selection. Furthermore, the general principles of evolution can be applied not only at species level but also at an individual level in terms of how a person’s neural and functional processing evolves as a function of their environment. By studying evolutionary psychology, you will gain knowledge of the origins of behaviour that challenges traditional assumptions about humans, their minds, and their collective interaction. The module will empower your critical evaluation of personal, social and cultural issues in your future employment and everyday life.

Module code: PSY3146

Credits: 20

Assessment

100% Coursework

Forensic Psychology: Eyewitnesses and Suspects examines the expanding field of forensic psychology. The aim is to help you understand human behaviour and its underlying thoughts, feelings and motivations, with particular reference to criminal behaviour. You will develop the expertise to assess evidence about human behaviour and garner a wide range of skills in relation to forensic investigation. You will be introduced to some of the skills that forensic psychologists use when investigating eyewitness reports and offenders and consider related theories and associated research evidence.

Module code: PSY3139

Credits: 20

Assessment

60% Coursework

40% Exam

Personality and Individual Differences influence all aspects of human behaviour. Knowledge and understanding of the nature of individual differences and the processes by which they influence our behaviours and motivations in everyday life is at the very essence of human psychology. Such knowledge is relevant in key disciplines such as clinical and forensic psychology, as well as to individuals generally in their efforts to understand what makes people ‘tick’. This module will explore and evaluate theories and research that have advanced our knowledge and understanding of this key area of psychology. It will develop your capacity for critical thinking, for active and independent learning, and for effective communication and teamwork.

Module code: PSY3129

Credits: 20

Assessment

50% Coursework

50% Practical

Psychology in the Courtroom specialises in the area of ‘applied’ forensic psychology and examines psychological underpinnings and experiences associated with a range of factors that influence decision-making in the courtroom. These include jury decision-making, expert witness testimony, witness credibility, defendant appearance and cross-examination techniques. Across the module, there will be particular focus on how psychological theory and research has aided our understanding of real-world issues in an applied context.

Module code: PSY3140

Credits: 20

Assessment

60% Coursework

40% Exam

How you'll study

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, small group work, practical workshops, directed study (preparing for classes) and independent study.

How you'll be assessed

Assessment methods include essays, formal examinations, statistical exercises, group research projects, report writing, oral presentations, designing a research proposal and completing a dissertation.

Who will be teaching you

You will be taught by a highly-committed team of research-active, expert tutors whose primary areas of specialism correspond directly with the themes of the modules available across this programme.

Timetables for your first week are normally available at the end of August prior to enrolment in September. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your first week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.

Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements. Some restrictions on optional module choice or combinations of optional modules may apply.

Entry criteria

Typical offer 112-120 UCAS Tariff points, for which no specific subjects are required, plus GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).

Please note, for the purposes of studying psychology, level 2 numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in Mathematics.

Example offers

Qualification	Requirement
A Level	BBC-BBB.
BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications)	Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM).
T Level	Overall grade of Merit.
International Baccalaureate (IB)	We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points.
Access to Higher Education Diploma	45 credits at Level 3, for example 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit or 24 credits at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations.

Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.

If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven't been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.

English language requirements

International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.

If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.

Fair Entry Criteria

Our new Fair Entry Criteria is a Contextual Admissions Policy that takes an applicant’s personal and educational background into account. This policy will allow eligible applicants to receive up to a two-grade reduction in their entry requirements for this course. Find out more and see if you qualify.

For further information on how you can meet the entry requirements

UK EU International

If you don't meet the entry criteria, you might be interested in...

Fastrack

How to apply

Apply online through UCAS

Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.

Apply as an international student

Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

Please note, this course is now closed to international applications for 2024 entry.

Part-time applications require a direct application to Edge Hill. Please select the year of entry that you wish to apply for.

Apply for September 2025 part-time.

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

Facilities

The Department of History, Geography and Social Sciences is based in the Geosciences building. The contemporary facilities combine with a friendly and supportive learning environment to ensure that your studies are a rich and rewarding experience.

The Geosciences building features a large lecture theatre, small group teaching rooms, IT facilities and smaller tutorial spaces. There is also a large social area which encourages a more informal and interactive style of learning.

The £6m Law and Psychology building provides contemporary teaching and learning facilities for students in the Department of Psychology.

The three-storey building includes a 250-seat lecture theatre, seminar and tutorial rooms, and social learning areas which encourage a more informal and interactive style of learning. There are also specially designed experimental facilities for psychological research.

Psychology resources include state-of-the-art eye trackers, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) methods, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for examining cognitive functioning and brain activity. Other specialist laboratories include a group testing laboratory, a ‘bar simulation laboratory’ (for alcohol research), health psychology suite, coaching clinic, audio-visual suites and dedicated IT facilities equipped with subject specific software installed to support experimental work.

Where you'll study

Finance

Tuition fees

£9,535

a year

£79 per credit

for 360 credits

£17,000

a year

The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.

Financial support

Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional maintenance loan funding to help with living costs.

Scholarships

We offer a range of scholarships, which celebrate the determination, commitment and achievement of our students. Many of our scholarships are awarded automatically. There are some however, where you will need to be involved in an application or nomination process. To find out more about our scholarships and check your eligibility, please visit our dedicated scholarships pages.

Money Matters

Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students, together with details of how to apply for potential funding.

Money Matters

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.

Your future career

By the time you achieve your criminology and psychology degree, you’ll have a wide range of transferable skills that will equip you for a graduate role or further study.

Our graduates go on to have exciting careers in the police, HM prison service and the Home Office, as well as in these areas:

criminal or youth justice agencies
youth and community work
law and research
offender management
social work
outreach

Other students continue on to postgraduate study, or train to become teachers or chartered psychologists.

One option is to continue your studies on a postgraduate conversion course in psychology. This would enable you to pursue a career where successful completion of a higher education programme accredited by the British Psychological Society is required.

Course changes

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

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