Criminology with Psychology BA (Hons)

Exploring journeys through justice by broadening understandings of contemporary issues within the criminological context, encouraging students to become active citizens in challenging inequality and promoting social justice. Combined with the study of Psychology, students will engage with criminological, sociological and psychological theories and approaches to crime.

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

Overview

Lecturer Nicola Collet talks about the benefits of studying Criminology with Psychology at DMU.

The Criminology with Psychology degree examines the causes, legal framework and responses to crime, combined with the study of psychology.

It provides students with practical knowledge and transferable skills to become active citizens who critically reflect on, and challenge, established institutions and practices to contribute to their community and build a more just society. It will focus predominantly on the sociology of crime, while also consulting the study of psychology in the areas of philosophy, social policy, law and jurisprudence. This will assist students in developing a critical awareness of contemporary issues in criminology in local, national and global contexts, alongside the development of a holistic approach to criminal justice. Students will have the opportunity to develop a suite of professional and personal skills to enhance their employability including: reflexivity, critical thinking, ethics and professional conduct, alongside theoretical and practical skills to enter a diverse range of career pathways within criminal and social justice roles. The programme provides students with skills to support learning for life through inquisitive and reflective practice, and the confidence to respond to the complexity and ambiguity of social change.

The majority of this course is led by the Criminology team and so is suited to those with a predominant interest in society as a whole – please see the module breakdown for more detail.

Key features

Learn alongside a skilled team of criminologists actively involved in teaching and research, many of whom have worked within criminal justice or allied fields and have strong links with the British Society of Criminology and the British Sociological Association.
Study a variety of topics delivered through a block-taught process that encourages active and experiential learning to engage a diverse student population.
Develop key personal, professional and practical skills that enhance employability upon course completion.
Gain knowledge and insight into local, national and global criminological contexts from experienced academics working at the edge of criminological research and working to promote SDG16 (for which DMU is the global hub) on Peace, Justice and Stronger Institutions.
Participate in in-depth learning experiences through our DMU Global programme. Previous trips include the study of state crime at Auschwitz, subcultures in Chicago, and genocide education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Discover your individuality within the field of Criminology by conducting a self-designed research project from beginning to end that channels your creativity and aligns with your own world views

Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

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.

UK
EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: L3C8

Start date: September

Duration: Three years full-time

Location: De Montfort University Leicester UK

Fees and funding:

2025/26 fees: £9,535* per year

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

Additional costs: You may incur additional costs for this programme, including the cost of travelling to and from project/placement locations.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: L3C8

Start date: September

Duration: Three years full-time

Location: De Montfort University Leicester UK

Fees and funding:

2025/26 tuition fees for international students: £16,250

Find out more about available funding for international students.

Additional costs: You may incur additional costs for this programme, including the cost of travelling to and from project/placement locations.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

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

Access to HE Diploma

Pass in QAA accredited Access to HE overall 112 UCAS tariff with at least 30 Level 3 credits at Merit.

We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.

International Baccalaureate: 24+ points

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course 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.

Interview: No

Work experience: No

Personal statement selection criteria

An ability to work independently and take a pro-active approach to learning

Clear communication skills, including good grammar and spelling
Information relevant to the course applied for
Interest in the course demonstrated with explanation and evidence

UCAS Tariff changes

Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

Structure and assessment

First Year (Part 1 - Describe)

Block 1: Studying at university
Block 2: Principles of social research
Block 3: Applied Psychology
Block 4: Journeys through justice

Second Year (Part 2 - Analyse)

Block 1: Explaining criminological issues
Block 2: Communities of justice
Block 3: TBC
Block 4: Researching justice journeys

Third Year (Part 3 - Critique)

Block 1: Planning social research
Block 2: Justice in a globalised world
Block 3: Two optional Psychology modules
Block 4: Final year project

See more detailed module information

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.

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures (both pre-recorded and in-person), seminars, tutorials, computer laboratory workshops, and self-directed study. The focus is on providing essential knowledge before moving on to discussing and applying key ideas and concepts. Contact (teaching) time is between 8-10 hours per week

For the purposes of designing the delivery of the BA (Hons) Criminology, the following definitions were adopted: 

Lectures: Large-group, academic-led session focused on directed input of knowledge. Where a module is focused on theory, students will attend in person to enable direct engagement with the academic delivering content. This enables a dynamic interaction for students to explore theoretical concepts and develop their understanding.  

Seminars: Small to medium sized group learning activities. Academics lead these sessions to provide a framework for guiding discussions exploring key theories and issues. Commonly students will be asked to engage in pre-session preparation, such as reading key sources, or finding examples of issues that align with their specific interests in criminology. 

Workshops: Medium sized group learning activities focused on developing practical skills, such as practicing the application of research methods, learning about IT packages, or developing projects. 

Tutorials: Individual or small group sessions where students set the agenda by identifying aspects of their learning that they feel they need support to develop. The focus is as much on peer-to-peer learning as it is on academic-led interventions.

Throughout the course, contact time is supplemented by extra-curricular lectures, employability events, group meetings, meetings with tutors, optional trips and other activities. As a full-time student, you will be expected to devote a considerable amount of time to independent study, voluntary placements and extra-curricular activities. In the final year, the research project will include 1:1 supervision.

Assessment

Over the whole programme, there is a varied mix of assessment that incorporates diverse learning styles including: group presentations, case study analysis, reflective essays, essays, multiple choice exams, individual presentations, posters. There will also be a range of formative assessments including weekly knowledge checks through quizzes and similar variations. Moreover, to help students prepare their skills for future assessments in upcoming blocks, teaching activities will include those that connect to future assessments.

Staff at DMU come from a variety of backgrounds so students will be taught by a team with varied interests, experiences and skills.

Indeed, some of our teaching team have professional experience working in and around the CJS whilst others have developed through teaching and research.

We are passionate about what we do and hold memberships with various professional and research bodies.

Facilities and features

Health and Life Sciences facilities

Substantial investment in Health and Life Sciences has developed our teaching and learning facilities to help you develop your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom.

The 19th century Hawthorn Building has facilities 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 apply theory to practice in a safe environment. You will receive guidance and support from staff, to ensure that your practical ability in the clinical skills suites is accurate.

Library

We have 1,500 study places and 650 computer workstations across four sites on campus.

During term time the main Kimberlin Library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, giving access to more than half a million publications and a wide range of DVDs, as well as e-resources and thousands of electronic journals. Award-winning staff are on hand to help and there is a café for study breaks.

We offer a range of workshops, drop-ins and one-to-one sessions, plus our Just Ask service provides email or telephone support.

Learning zones

Our comfortable and well-equipped study areas provide a range of environments to suit your needs.

Originally set up in our main Kimberlin Library, the learning zones proved so popular that more were created in the Eric Wood building and Greenhouse. These flexible spaces are ideal whether you are working as a group, practising a presentation or working quietly on your own.

They feature workstations with power supplies for laptops, plus bookable syndicate rooms with interactive whiteboards and DVD players. Eduroam wi-fi is available across all campus locations.

Opportunities and careers

Placements

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.

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:

Policing
Youth justice
Community safety
Crime prevention
Victim Support
Prison Service
National Probation Service and probation partner organisations
Substance misuse services
Social work
Teaching
Policy related employment
Academia

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.

Take your next steps

Nine halls of residence and around 2,300 rooms, all of which are within easy walking distance of the campus.

Run by students for students, DSU offers more than 150 societies and almost 40 different sports clubs for you to get involved in.

Criminology with Psychology BA (Hons)

Block teaching designed around you