About this course
Explore the fascinating worlds of crime, the criminal mind and deviant behaviour. Examine the different, and sometimes contradictory, views on the psychology behind our nature and the choices we make. These are complementary subjects, which often feature in the media and popular culture.
Criminology looks at the origins and patterns of criminality, the justice system and the reasons for committing crime. Psychology examines the mind to try to explain and predict human interaction and behaviour choice.
On this criminology and psychology course, you’ll study:
- criminal behaviour
- victimisation and society's reaction
- the socio-legal context of crime
- the future of social control
You’ll also examine the major views and topics within psychology, including:
- cognitive psychology
- developmental psychology
- social psychology
As part of your degree you can:
- use our research facilities, which include eye-movement recording and virtual reality labs
- examine cyber and international crime
- study abroad for a semester in Brazil, Canada or China
- challenge yourself and help make a difference with our Social Impact Lab
- take specialist modules from other disciplines to unlock a range of career options
The University is also home to the Institute of Criminal Justice. You can take part in seminars, workshops and lectures, and explore the relationships between criminal justice scholarship, research, policy, and practice.
This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society. It will open the door to further research or careers in public service, criminal justice and beyond.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Accreditations
Learn more about these subject areas
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Entry requirements
For Academic year 202425
A-levels
AAB
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. The contextual offer for this programme is ABB.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA from two A levels
DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus A from one A-level
DDD in the BTEC National Extended Diploma
Additional information
For BTEC Extended Diplomas, we can only consider these subjects along with specific modules:
Health and Social Care but only if you are taking these 3 modules (Psychological Perspectives/Sociological Perspectives/Policy in Health and Social Care),
Forensic and Criminal Investigation (no specific modules needed)
Uniformed Protective Services/Public Services but please check with us which modules you are taking before applying.
We strongly suggest BTEC applicants doing these subjects contact us before applying to check if you are doing the required modules.
For this specific programme we do not accept the NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care.
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, A2
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB from 3 A levels or AA from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
T-Level
There are no T levels accepted for this programme.
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
- our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
- skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
Each year, you’ll study modules in both criminology and psychology, and specialised modules that span both disciplines.
You’ll take 8 modules per year, which consist of contact time (lectures, seminars, workshops), preparation for classes, and independent study. In years 2 and 3, you can choose optional modules from related disciplines or other faculties. You can even learn a new language.
You can also choose from a range of interdisciplinary modules, including Business Skills, Life in the Cosmos or Understanding Modern China. These are a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and create an impressive CV.
Year 1 overview
You’ll take core and compulsory crime and psychology modules. These will introduce you to criminology and the workings of the criminal justice system, and to some of the most important findings, theories and research in psychology.
You’ll study:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Understanding Everyday Life
- Behavioural Neuroscience
- Criminal Justice Studies
- Individual Differences
- Introduction to Criminology
- Research Methods and Data Analysis
Year 2 overview
You’ll study qualitative and quantitative research methods in detail, and learn about context and policy in criminology.
You’ll also examine:
- Criminological Psychology
- Crime and Criminal Justice: Historical Perspective
- Developmental Psychology
- Language and Memory
You can also choose from optional modules such as:
- Criminology: Policy and Practice
- Perception
- Gender and Society
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Year 3 overview
You’ll put your academic skills into practice with a dissertation that combines psychology with criminology. With help from an experienced supervisor, you'll prepare original research that meets the requirements of the British Psychological Society.
You’ll study law enforcement, social control, and controversial issues like domestic violence and policing minority groups. You’ll also look at current issues in clinical psychology.
The rest of the year’s content consists of optional modules, including:
- The Deserving and Undeserving: Victims and Scroungers in Criminology and Social Policy
- Violent and Sexual Offenders
- Intergroup Relations and Interpersonal Influence
- Globalisation, Inequalities and Power
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
Behavioural Neuroscience
The module aims to develop the themes introduced in the Introduction to Psychology Module in semester 1. The module integrates the approaches and findings of biological psychology in an attempt to understand the biological factors that explain why people...
Delivering Justice: Mapping the Criminal Justice System
In this module you will develop an understanding of the England and Wales criminal justice system, with a particular focus on its philosophies, institutional practices and processes and outcomes. You will gain an understanding of how the criminal justice ...
Individual Differences
The course covers the topics of personality and intelligence from the perspective of individual differences. Some research psychologists explore the ways in which people are the same and seek to draw general conclusions about human nature. However...
Interrogating Crime: An Introduction to Criminology
This module provides you with an introduction to the field of criminology including its origins and how subject areas such as sociology and psychology inform criminological study and our understanding of crime. The module explores the different ways in wh...
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Psychology will touch on a number of core topics in Psychology including The Science of Psychology, Sensation, Perception, Memory, Metacognition, Social Cognition, Attitudes and Emotions, Interpersonal/Group Processes, Development & Health...
Simple Liars, Damned Liars and Experts: the use of empirical research in social science
A key skill of a social scientist is to be able to assess the quality of evidence presented based on strong methodological foundations. We need to understand what constitutes evidence, including how it can be produced, agreed, disputed, disseminated and m...
Understanding the Social World
This module lays down the foundations for conducting social research in any discipline within the social sciences, focused around criminology, economics, international relations, politics, population sciences, social policy and sociology. The module will ...
What's the problem? Debating responses to Contemporary Social Challenges
The analysis of social problems is a key area of sociological and criminological investigation. However, not all problems experienced by individuals are recognised as social problems by society and not all publicly recognised social problems are also disc...
Year 2 modules
You must study the following modules in year 2:
Criminological Psychology
This module encourages you to take an in-depth look at the way psychology has been used to explain and control crime. We will explore the way psychological principles can be applied to such issues as violence, murder, serial killing and the role of the c...
Culture, Communication and Resistance
Anthropology actively studies people in real-life settings in order to investigate the crucial roles that culture and social organisation play in their lives. Sociology actively pursues strong theoretical perspectives which further explores the relationsh...
Developmental Psychology
This module will develop your understanding and knowledge of development across childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. We will present historical and current research studies and explain how these link to related theoretical frameworks. The mod...
Language and Memory
This module is designed to provide you with an introduction to cognitive psychology, or the study of human cognitive processes, with an emphasis on three of those processes – communication, language and memory. Apart from being intrinsically interesting (...
Perspectives in Criminology
This module focuses upon the contemporary development of criminology as a discipline and the range of perspectives and theories that form part of it. These include traditional and more radical sociological and criminological theories. One of the pre-re...
Qualitative Research: Foundations, Principles and Methods
This module has two goals. First to teach students the foundations, principals and methods of qualitative research. Second to support students in identifying a topic and designing a research project for their third year dissertation. One of the pre-req...
Research Methods and Data Analysis III
The lectures cover theory, terminology, calculations for statistical tests, concepts relating to research methods and the use of SPSS. This module will focus on understanding rationale behind different statistical procedures, discriminating between di...
You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:
Children and Society
This module is designed to introduce you to some of the key concepts and debates surrounding children and childhood. It will provide you an opportunity to develop an analytical and critical understanding of the theoretical frameworks, research, policy and...
Cognitive Neuroscience
This second-year module will present a broad introduction to the field of cognitive neuroscience. This module will focus on how psychological theories of the mind are informed by neuropsychological and neuroscientific evidence. Topics covered include: hem...
Gender & Society
The module will introduce sociological perspectives on gender and to contemporary debates about gender and society.
Race and Ethnicity in Society
This module will explore the issues of race, racism, racial conflict, and race relations in contemporary Britain and worldwide. Although we will mainly refer to Britain, global examples from Europe, the US, the Caribbean, Africa, and South America will be...
Year 3 modules
You must study the following modules in year 3:
Dissertation (CrimPsych)
This module provides students with an opportunity to conduct a small-scale, independent research project, working under the guidance of an experienced supervisor. Students will: - Conduct an in-depth literature review combining both Criminological and...
Issues in Law Enforcement and Social Control
This module considers a range of issues in the area of the sociology of the policy and policing and more broadly the sociology of social control - issues, include domestic violence, public order and policing minority groups.
You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:
Advanced Quantitative Research Skills
The Advanced Quantitative Research Skills module is focused on extending existing skills in analyzing data from quantitative research. The module consists of two parts. In the first part programming skills in R are being learned. In the second, students w...
Children and Society
This module is designed to introduce you to some of the key concepts and debates surrounding children and childhood. It will provide you an opportunity to develop an analytical and critical understanding of the theoretical frameworks, research, policy and...
Collective Action and Social Change
In this module you will be able to examine a variety of organisations involved in social change, such as governmental and non-governmental organisations, voluntary organisations, social movement organisations and charitable organisations. You will be help...
Comparative Sociology
This module is concerned with the development of modern societies and the nature of 'modernity'. It will draw on the writings of contemporary sociologists in order to consider what the most important processes of social change taking place are and how the...
Comparative Youth Justice
This module begins with the questions, what is youth, and, why have societies always positioned youth either as "troublesome" or "in trouble"? We go back to the 19th Century and the 'invention of adolescence' to explore the roots of the notion of youth as...
Crime Scene Investigation: Methods and Applications
Developmental Psychopathology
Developmental psychopathology is the study of the developmental processes that lead to psychopathology or impairment in everyday function. As a discipline, it is concerned with the different disorders which have their origins in infancy, childhood or adol...
Introduction to Educational Psychology
This module aims to provide a descriptive and critical overview of the practice of educational psychology in the UK and to highlight some of the key debates.
Penology
Penology is the study of punishment in society. Students are encouraged to think critically about the multiple purposes and debatable effectiveness of our contemporary modes of punishment, and to understand why this 'end product' of justice systems has be...
Perspectives in Human Animal Interactions
The module will draw on the student’s prior learning with regard to various psychological areas; including but not restricted to, learning theory (operant and classical), attitude, attachment, behaviour change. An introduction to animal behaviour and welf...
Psychology of Advertising
Advertising is an everyday and significant phenomenon. Sponsors hire agencies to inform us about, and persuade us to buy, innumerable branded products and services on the market, though a variety of mass media. Advertisements also urge us to donate to cha...
Race and Ethnicity in Society
This module will explore the issues of race, racism, racial conflict, and race relations in contemporary Britain and worldwide. Although we will mainly refer to Britain, global examples from Europe, the US, the Caribbean, Africa, and South America will b...
Sexuality and Intimacy
This module explores the fascinating, interrelated areas of human sexuality and intimacy. We draw on sociological, criminological, anthropological approaches, amongst others. You'll be asked to critically draw on your own experience and knowledge as we co...
Social and Affective Neuroscience
Humans are adapted to be highly social. We interact with a number of other people everyday, and successful social interactions depend on the ability to infer other's mental and emotional state from limited cues. Social and affective neuroscience applies t...
Social and Psychological Approaches to Understanding Sexual Health
This module will help you to develop graduate attributes, including: - academic attributes – ability to critically appraise knowledge claims based on qualitative and quantitative methods; and - communication skills – ability to communicate research desi...
The Deserving and Undeserving: Victims and Scroungers in Criminology and Social Policy
Societal sensitivity regarding victims in the UK has grown in recent decades. In the UK new policies and legislation have emerged at all levels in the criminal justice system with the aim of putting the victim at the centre of the criminal justice process...
Violent and Sexual Offenders
Would you like to understand why people are violent, or commit rape, or sexually abuse young children? Are people who do such things mentally ill? What might have happened to them in their lives that makes them commit such serious offences? Can such peop...
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Course time
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
How we'll assess you
- dissertations
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
Year 2
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 2:
How we'll assess you
- dissertations
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 2:
Academic support
You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
Course leader
Michelle Newberry is the course leader.
Careers
When you pass your final dissertation module and complete this course with at least a 2:2 degree, you’ll be eligible for graduate Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society (BPS). This stands out on a CV and provides access to career and training events at the BPS, which will widen your criminology and psychology career options.
You’ll develop the knowledge and skills required for criminological and psychology research, including:
- methods and techniques
- ethical principles
- evaluation of results
- communication
- problem solving
This course can lead to management, planning and delivering social and public services and criminal justice. It also offers an excellent foundation for professional training or postgraduate study.
Our graduates embark on diverse career pathways including:
- academia
- clinical, forensic and occupational psychology
- criminal justice
- government
- health and occupational psychologies
- police
- research and education
- social services and welfare
Contact us to speak to a careers advisor.
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV and interview skills and workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Work in industry
We offer internships and placement opportunities to help our graduates gain valuable work experience. Our students recently took paid internships with the Office for National Statistics.
You could also choose to take a Year in Employment, which is a paid work placement between your second and third year.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £22,300.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
When you apply use:
- UCAS course code: LC68
- UCAS institution code: S27
What happens after you apply?
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
