BSc

Psychology and Criminology (with integrated year in industry)

Psychology and Criminology (with integrated year in industry) Code A1C6 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Key Facts

A1C6

  • UCAS Tariff

    120 - 96

  • Course duration

    4 years

Available for September start 2025

Further details on entry requirements

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BSc Psychology and Criminology (with integrated year in industry) at Aberystwyth University provides an opportunity to combine two of the most fascinating and popular areas of social science. You will gain insights into the social and psychological perspectives of crime. You will study the brain, mind and behaviour to discover people’s motivation to commit crime, the sociocultural repercussions of their actions, and the things that make them more likely to reoffend. During this four-year degree course, you will acquire a wide range of skills and knowledge that are highly valued by employers, and the year in industry will give you the additional insight, knowledge and experience that they look for.  

Course Overview

This course is identical to its sister course (CM89), however, you will have an additional year of funding to undertake your year in industry. If you are unable to obtain a work placement, you can simply transfer to our three- year sister programme. Students who take part in the year in industry will pay a discounted tuition fee. For further information, please see the Tuition Fees page. 

Through scientific study and taught by staff who have expertise in both disciplines, you will study crime, victims, societal structures and the criminal justice system. For example, you will explore internal human motivation, development, and mental processes. 

You will examine current debates and learn how to apply theoretical knowledge to practical, real-world issues and controversies. At Aberystwyth, we work with you to help you become informed and curious thinkers. You will develop research and analysis skills, allowing you to conduct your own research. We use our teaching and research experience to inspire you and to give you the skills and confidence to do whatever you wish to do in the future. 

All our degree schemes are designed with employability in mind and the Psychology parts of this degree are accredited by the British Psychological Society. You will develop advanced critical, analytical and communication skills, and further develop your intellectual and transferable employability skills, such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and problem solving. This will enhance your employability in vocational areas, such as the criminal justice system and various settings within social services. 

We believe it is important that you study in a supportive, student-focused environment, and our modern research facilities and outstanding student learning spaces for both Psychology and Criminology are in addition to excellent central university facilities. These resources allow us to provide you with an innovative approach to learning and teaching.

Our Staff

Department of Psychology’s teaching staff are all research active and all permanent staff are qualified to PhD level with most having either a PGCTHE or are fellows/senior fellow of the higher education academy. Over half of the staff also have the qualification CPsychol; an indicator of the BPS’ highest standard of psychological knowledge and expertise.

Department of Law and Criminology lecturers are mostly either qualified to PHD level or have professional experience and qualifications as practicing lawyers. Many staff also have a PGCE (Higher Education).

Modules September start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Cognitive Psychology PS21820 20
Qualitative Research Methods PS20310 10
Quantitative Research Methods * PS21310 10
Social Psychology PS20220 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Climate Change and Environmental Law LC27720 20
Community Justice LC20320 20
Contemporary Issues in Criminology LC24220 20
Criminal Justice Placement LC22520 20
Criminal Law * LC20520 20
Drugs and Crime LC28220 20
Family and Child Law LC26420 20
Human Rights LC25220 20
Medicine Ethics and the Law LC26720 20
Police, Policing and Society LC21020 20
Psychological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour LC28120 20
Psychopathology LC29220 20
Victimology LC20820 20
Youth Crime and Justice LC26120 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Work Placement PSS0260 60

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

A degree in Psychology and Criminology from Aberystwyth University will prepare you for a range of careers, and give you access to a wide range of further training opportunities. These include: 

  • clinical, educational, occupational, sports and exercise psychology 
  • psychotherapy and counseling 
  • social work 
  • health care 
  • human resources 
  • careers advisory service 
  • marketing, publishing, advertising. 

The skills you learn while studying here are highly sought after by employers and include: 

  • research and data analysis skills 
  • effective problem-solving skills 
  • the ability to work independently and present material clearly and effectively  
  • time management and organisational skills 
  • the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner 
  • self-motivation and independence  
  • teamwork and project management skills 
  • information technology skills. 


Teaching & Learning

What will I learn? 

The interdisciplinary nature of Psychology and Criminology work in partnership so that you gain the theoretical perspectives of crime with sociology and philosophy, whilst gaining necessary psychological principles. You will study why people commit crime and the social cultural repercussions of crime, with a close reference to the psychological mind, to gain and develop the crucial skills needed to enter this field of work. Your British Psychological Society accredited degree is built around essential core topics in psychology, which work alongside your specialised Criminology focused modules. 

During your first year you will: begin to transform yourself into a Psychologist, by developing core knowledge in areas such as social and individual behaviour, Brain and cognition and historical issues in psychology. You will also start to develop a wide range of skills by using methods and techniques that will enable you to investigate psychological phenomena whilst exploring the key criminological theory which underpin many current penal policies. 

In your second and final year you will: shape your degree by choosing from our distinctive range of criminology option modules. These modules are designed to develop critical thinking skills, paying close attention to causes of deviant behaviour, treatment options, and social policy intended to reduce criminality. You will also apply skills learnt throughout your degree by constructing your own research dissertation built around your personal ideas and interests within a psychological context. 

In your third year, you will embark on your year in industry and gain invaluable experience to inform your final year and prepare you for a career after you graduate. 

How will I be taught? 

Your academic and intellectual development are at the heart of the Aberystwyth Psychology and Criminology experience. Our staff are committed to a student focused approach to teaching, making your learning needs a priority in both what we teach and how we teach you. When you join us, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will support you throughout your degree and is there to advise and guide you on a range of academic and personal matters. 

From traditional lectures to small group work, we deliver inspirational teaching through a wide variety of different formats. You will also get to apply your knowledge in lab-based workshops and practicals, where you will be able to benefit from our wide range of specialist research equipment and facilities. 

At Aberystwyth you can be confident that you will receive the best learning experience at the very forefront of the discipline. 

How will I be assessed? 

Your development will be assessed in a broad variety of ways including: traditional exams, essays, wikis, blogs, observations and presentations. 

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 120 - 96

A Levels BBB-CCC

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh and Mathematics

BTEC National Diploma:
DDM-MMM

International Baccalaureate:
30-26

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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