Course Overview
Attendance
* Price per academic year
Course summary
Psychology is the study of the human mind and our behaviour, while criminology is all about the causes of crime and ways to prevent and control it.
This is a unique degree covering both British Psychological Society accreditation and QAA standards for criminology, which will allow you to study both psychology and criminology, and will equip you to understand human motivation and behaviour and apply that insight to legal and criminal contexts, opening up an exciting range of career opportunities once you graduate.
At Westminster, we have a solid background of teaching and research in these highly desirable subjects. We take an international perspective and draw on our expertise related to human trafficking and issues connected to the Global South.
We make the most of our long-established links with key partners in the criminal justice and forensic psychology areas to enhance your student experience. This includes links with a number of local Magistrates' Courts, the Central Criminal Court, Broadmoor Hospital, victim support at the Old Bailey, HMP Whitemoor, Feltham YOI, and the Metropolitan Police, all of which offer opportunities for educational visits and/or work placements.
We make full use of our central London location, with learning taking place both inside and outside the classroom and including visits to a theatre and a museum, field walks and opportunities for work-based learning.
Top reasons to study with us
- A wide range of option modules provides a truly multidisciplinary perspective on crime and psychology
- Our experienced team draw on their research and scholarly activity to provide you with a global perspective on crime and psychology
- Our degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Gaining a BPS accredited qualification is necessary if you wish to pursue a career as a Chartered Psychologist in the areas of forensic, clinical, occupational, counselling, health, educational, and sports and exercise psychology
- Based in our Regent Campus and Cavendish Campus in central London, you'll enjoy the benefits of studying in a major global city
- A work placement module is built into the course, to help you get ahead before graduating
- Between Years 2 and 3 you'll have the option to complete an additional year on a work placement or studying abroad
Course structure
Learning includes lectures, seminars, independent study, and off-campus activities that make use of Westminster's central London location.
Assessment methods may include essays, debates, policy analyses, individual and group presentations, exams, statistical analyses, and your dissertation.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
In your first year, you will build your knowledge of a range of core topics central to the study of psychology, including cognitive, biological, social and developmental psychology. Conceptual and historical issues in psychology are embedded in core modules in both the first and second year, to provide you with a broad appreciation of the place of psychology in the natural and social sciences. You will also build a strong foundation in criminology, with a broad introduction to criminology as an interdisciplinary and critical subject area and you will learn about key concepts and theoretical approaches in relation to the study of crime, victimisation, and responses to crime and deviance.
Subjects of study include:
- Controversies in Criminal Justice
- Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology
- Introduction to Psychological and Criminological Research Methods
- Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology
- Criminological Imagination
- Criminological Perspectives
Credit Level 4
Year 2 builds on the foundations laid in year one.
Subjects of study include:
- Further Biopsychology and Cognition
- Further Social and Developmental Psychology
- Psychological and Criminological Research Methods
- Radical Criminology
- Volunteering and Employability in a Psychological or Criminological Setting
Plus one among the following options:
- Gender, Crime and Justice
- Globalisation, Crime and Control
- Race, Power and Criminal Justice
- Youth, Crime and Justice
Credit Level 5
Professional experience or study abroad year
Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours - Psychology and Criminology with Professional Experience.
Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours - Psychology and Criminology with International Experience.
Year 3 gives you the opportunity to develop your own interests through a range of option modules to ensure that you can tailor your degree to your interests and career aspirations.
Subjects of study include:
- Forensic Psychology
- Project in Forensic or Criminological Psychology
Plus one psychology module from the following:
- Clinical Psychology
- Consciousness
- Data Science Applications in Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Occupational and Work Psychology
- Political Psychology
- Psychology of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Psychology of Education
Plus two criminology modules from the following:
- Human Rights and Global Injustice
- Immigration, Borders and (In)Justice
- Issues in State Crime
- Media and Crime
- Punishment and Modern Society
Credit Level 6
Professional accreditation
This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society and will confer eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, provided the minimum standard of a Lower Second Class Honours is achieved, and the empirical project has been passed. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)
Live chat with us
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)
Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
Can't attend? See more open events
Careers
With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.
Get ahead before graduating
The work placement module built into our course will provide you with valuable practical experience.
Transferable skills
You'll gain the knowledge and experience to work in areas such as policing and crime analysis, prison services, victim support, forensic or clinical psychology, and many more.
Employers around the world
The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Career development
Graduates from these popular and critical disciplines are highly employable, and you'll be well equipped for a range of careers in psychology, criminal justice and policing, as well as related areas such as teaching or health and social care.
Specific career choices may include policing and crime analysis, prison services, the National Probation Service, the Home Office, Court Service, the NHS, victim support, and forensic or clinical psychology.
Job roles
This course could prepare you for roles such as:
- Assistant psychologist
- Probation officer
- Trainee crime analyst
- Youth offending support officer
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leader
Dr Donna Taylor
Senior Lecturer
Donna Taylor joined the University in 2006 and teaches on a wide range of modules in psychology, with a particular focus on forensic psychology and research methods. Her research focusses on memory and cognition in relation to eyewitness recall across a range of contexts.
This exciting combination of topics makes for a stimulating course which will produce graduates who are highly sought after by many different employers.
Course Team
Why study this course?
Fantastic central London location
Based in our Regent Campus and Cavendish Campus in central London, you’ll enjoy the benefits of studying in a major global city.
A supportive environment
We provide our students with the right environment, support and guidance throughout their studies to keep them motivated.
Improve your employability
You'll have the option to complete an additional year on a work placement or studying abroad between Years 2 and 3.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
- BTEC Diploma – D*D
- Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C - IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C - IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process
- International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
More information
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £15,400 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Learn new skills
Learn a new language
From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.
Gain extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into two broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2022/23
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course location
Teaching for this course will take place at both our Regent Street site and Cavendish Campus in central London.
Located on one of London’s most vibrant streets, our 309 Regent Street location houses subjects including Criminology and Sociology, English and Creative Writing, History, Languages, Politics and International Relations and Visual Culture. Along with a city-centre location, the site boasts high-tech learning facilities, collaborative social spaces, gym facilities, and our Regent Street Cinema.
Our Regent Campus is comprised of two sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.
With state-of-the-art science and psychology labs and refurbished computer suites, our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring. Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.
For more details, visit our locations page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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