Undergraduate courses/Criminology and Policing courses/Criminology with Psychology

Key facts

Entry requirements

112 or DMM

Full entry requirements

UCAS code

L3C8

Institution code

D26

Duration

3 yrs full-time

Three years full-time

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition fees:
£16,250

Additional costs

See all the key facts

Entry requirements

112 or DMM

Full entry requirements

UCAS code

L3C8

Duration

Three years full-time

See all the key facts

Our Criminology with Psychology degree explores crime's causes, responses, and legal frameworks, blending criminological, sociological, and psychological theories. It develops your critical thinking, ethics, and professional skills to challenge inequality and promote social justice. This programme prepares you for diverse careers in criminal and social justice, offering practical knowledge to understand global criminological issues and create meaningful change in society.

  • Study at a SDG Global Hub: DMU is the only university in the UK to be a global hub for one of the UNs Sustainable Development Goals - SDG 16 to promote peace, justice and strong institutions.
  • Industry-informed teaching: Gain knowledge and insight into local, national and global criminological contexts from experienced academics working at the edge of criminological research, many of whom have strong links to criminal justice and professional organisations like the British Society of Criminology.
  • Build key skills: Develop key personal, professional and criminological investigation skills that employers are looking for.
  • Personalise your learning: Undertake a self-designed research project that aligns with your personal values and interests in criminology.
  • Become career ready: Our graduates thrive in roles such as police constable, criminology lecturer, health adviser, and support worker - making an impact at organisations like Leicestershire Police Authority, Loughborough College, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, and Cygnet Health Care.
  • Global experience: As part of DMU Global, previous students have studied state crime at Auschwitz, subcultures in Chicago, and genocide education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Focused learning: Block teaching lets you focus on one subject at a time.

Scholarships

DMU offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and bursaries to help you realise your academic ambitions.

International student scholarships

Find out about available international scholarships or visit our fees and funding page for more information.

Related courses

Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies BA (Hons)

Criminology BA (Hons)

Degree in Professional Policing BA (Hons)

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What you will study

Studying at University

This module introduces you to the key skills required to undertake an undergraduate degree programme in Criminology. You will learn practical skills enabling you to find and present academic sources, develop effective approaches to reading and writing in an academic setting. You will acquire presentation, team work, and referencing skills. 

Principles of Social Research

This module introduces you to the principles of social research. You will recognise and apply critical thinking, explore the concept of ethics in research, and reflect on biases and positionality. You will explore philosophical questions and how different world views shape our understanding of crime, harm and justice.

Applied Psychology

Introduces students to the discipline of psychology, an overview of five core areas: biological, cognitive, developmental, personality and social psychology.

Journeys Through Justice

You will explore the concept of justice and what it means in the context of criminology. By mapping the institutions of criminal and social justice such as police, prisons, probation, courts and the community sector, you will explore pathways through justice and how it may or may not be achieved.  

Block 3 for this year is currently to be confirmed.

Explaining Criminological Issues

In this module, you will explore core criminological theories in relation to crime, harm and victimisation. These criminological theories are situated in the context of and applied to a range of issues pertinent to complex problems in crime, harm and justice. The module builds a more critical awareness of from Level 4 Module Contemporary Issues in Criminology with a view to developing a ‘criminological imagination’.

Communities of Justice

This module explores the Institutions, practices & interactions of justice. You will explore the debates on the nature of imprisonment, punishment, rehabilitation and desistance. This module will consider debates on race, power, gender, criminalisation, youth justice as they apply to communities of justice. This module builds on the content of Level 4 module Journeys Through Justice. 

Researching Justice Journeys

The aim of this module is to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of research methodologies used in social science research. The module will explore a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, techniques, and forms of analysis; you will engage with the practicalities of a range of research methods.

Planning Social Research

In this module, you will identify a relevant criminological topic and design a final year research project. You will develop a series of appropriate research questions, describe and evaluate an appropriate research design and consider the ethical implications of a research project on a criminological topic. 

Justice in a Globalised World

In this module, you will explore advanced theoretical perspective to help you understand crime in a global context. You will critically evaluate how these ‘global’ crimes and harms impact crime, harm and victimisation in society. You will also develop knowledge and critical understanding of transnational crime prevention and justice organisations and institutions. 

Choice of modules

You will be able to choose one of two 15 credit psychology modules.

Final Project

This module is designed to enable you to complete an independent project. You will integrate your  knowledge and skills from across the degree programme to complete a final project. This project will be in the form of one of the following:

  • An extended essay
  • An empirical based research project
  • A social activism project based on your project proposal from module Planning Social research.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

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Our facilities

Hawthorn Building

Home to students and staff from Health and Life Sciences courses spanning pharmaceutical, healthcare, lab based and social science disciplines.

The facilities and spaces in the Hawthorn Building are designed to replicate current practice in health and life sciences, including contemporary analytical chemistry and formulation laboratories, audiology booths and nursing and midwifery clinical skills suites.

Purpose-built clinical skills areas allow you to practice in a safe environment. You will receive guidance and support from expert academic and technical staff.

Recently renovated, the Undercroft offers dedicated break out spaces and study spaces allowing for collaborative and interprofessional learning beyond the classroom.

Hawthorn Building - Magazine Square Entrance
Hawthorn Building is located in the centre of campus just 5 minutes from the city centre.
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Technical staff are on hand to guide students throughout their course.
Midwifery students have access to specialist facilities and staff
Midwifery students get hands-on experience
Nursing facilities in the building and others on campus, allow our students to learn in clinical settings.
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Bertec Computerised Dynamic Postuography (CPD/IVR) uses the latest technology in graphics and sensors to enable greater depth in our assessment of people who experience dizziness.

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Our expertise

For Psychology academics please see our Psychology BSc programme.

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John Mann

Lecturer in Criminology (Programme Lead)

John is the Criminology programme lead at DMU. His research explores criminological theory, political economy, and human enhancement drug use. He teaches sociology and criminology, focusing on addiction and drug-related behaviours. He is a member of various substance use research networks.

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Brian McShane

Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice (Admissions Lead)

Brian specialises in youth justice, masculinities, and violence prevention. His research explores young people’s experiences of violence, music-based desistance, and non-statutory justice services. He has led funded projects with Youth Justice Services and worked on violence reduction programs in local government.

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Xiaoye Zhang

Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Xiaoye specialises in performance studies and social sciences, exploring crime and punishment in China’s modernization through ethnographic research. She has taught in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and the UK. With experience in theatre projects and special needs education, she facilitates drama workshops in criminal justice settings and supports domestic violence victims.

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Nicola Collett

Senior Lecturer in Criminology (Deputy Programme Lead)

Nicola specialises in identity construction among individuals with convictions. She has experience coordinating youth justice projects with Leaders Unlocked and conducting research funded by Police and Crime Commissioners. She leads on supporting undergraduate dissertation students and supports both MA and PhD students. Nicola is also the Chair of the Criminal Record Research and Reform Network.

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Ruth Mckie

Senior Lecturer in Criminology (Subject Lead)

Ruth expertise lies in environmental crime and harm. Her research focuses on climate change denial and criminology, exploring the impacts of environmental crimes and animal abuse. Ruth actively contributes to criminological research and policy discussions on these critical issues.

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Kim Sadique

Associate Professor

Kim specialises in genocide prevention and education, chairing the Academic Advisory Board of Remembering Srebrenica and leading initiatives to combat hate and promote community cohesion. A scholar-activist, she is committed to amplifying survivor voices. As a DMU SDG Fellow, she focuses on SDG 16, promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.

What makes us special

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DMU Global

International experiences can help you differentiate yourself in an increasingly competitive graduate jobs market. We offer fantastic opportunities throughout Europe and further afield which will help you gain invaluable educational, work-related and cultural experiences through our DMU Global and Erasmus schemes.

Previous global experiences have included summer schools in Turkey, Japan and South Korea, giving students the opportunity to learn alongside students from around the world, study unique modules and explore the cities of Istanbul, Fukuoka and Seoul.

Where we could take you

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Volunteering

We have a team of practice-based criminologists, helping you develop the knowledge and skills required to work within the criminal justice sector.

Volunteering and research opportunities, develop your practical and professional skills, and enhance your employability upon graduation, and are available in local criminal justice agencies, including prison, probation, youth offending services, and victim support. Students are also encouraged to visit the local magistrates’ courts and prisons.

Students at the Careers Hub

Graduate careers

We have an employability lead for Criminology with Psychology BA (Hons) who focuses on building up employment links and hosting events to encourage students to think about careers.

Past events include a Frontiers for Future Careers webinar series where local and national organisations hosted session with our criminology students. Guests included CJS agencies, charities and career support services.

Graduate career opportunities are varied, with recent graduates going on to work in sectors including:

  • Law and Order: Policing, Youth Justice, Crime Prevention
  • Community and Support Services: Community Safety, Victim Support, Social Work, Substance Misuse Services
  • Custodial and Probation Services: Prison Service, Probation Service and Partners
  • Education and Policy: Teaching, Policy-related Roles, Academia

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Find out how to apply

Course specifications

Course title

Criminology with Psychology

Award

BA (Hons)

UCAS code

L3C8

Institution code

D26

Study level

Undergraduate

Study mode

Full-time

Start date

September

Duration

Three years full-time

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,250

*subject to the government, as is expected, passing legislation to formalise the increase.

Additional costs

Entry requirements

GCSEs

  • Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including English

Plus, one of the following:

A levels

  • A minimum of 112 points from at least two A levels

T Levels

  • Merit

BTEC

  • BTEC National Diploma - Distinction/Merit/Merit
  • BTEC Extended Diploma - Distinction/Merit/Merit

International Baccalaureate

  • 24+ points

Access course

  • Pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE overall 112 UCAS tariff with at least 30 L3 credits at Merit.
  • We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Contextual offers

To make sure you get fair and equal access to higher education, when looking at your application, we consider more than just your grades. So if you are eligible, you may receive a contextual offer. Find out more about contextual offers.