Psychology with Criminology BSc (Hons)

UCAS code C807

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

If you’re curious about why people behave the way they do, what shapes our attitudes and actions, and how psychology links to criminal behaviour at individual, community, and societal levels - this course could be the perfect fit. Our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology gives you an excellent foundation for careers in psychology, criminology, and related areas.

You’ll explore crime and criminal behaviour through psychological, criminological, sociological, and legal perspectives. Using scientific methods and tools, you’ll study the criminal justice system, criminality, and the penal system, alongside responses to crime and its victims. With a range of optional modules, you can personalise your learning journey, focusing on the areas of psychology and criminology that interest you most.

Teaching is delivered by expert staff from our Psychology, Criminology, and Law departments, all supported by cutting-edge facilities. Each year, you’ll also complete dedicated modules to develop your personal and professional skills, preparing you for your career or further study. Plus, you’ll have the chance to gain real-world experience through a work placement in settings such as the prison service, victim support, or offender community support.

Our facilities include cognitive research cubicles, an observation room, psychology and IT labs, VR equipment, psychophysiological equipment, and even a mock custody suite and prison cell. You’ll work on group and individual projects, build presentation skills and, in specific modules, tackle real-world challenges like writing advisory reports for crime-related issues or analysing case studies. Alongside this, you'll have opportunities to engage with digital development opportunities and begin to make networks with like-minded students and inspirational guest lectures. 

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology

Duration

University of Staffordshire undergraduate courses are usually 3 years for full-time study.

Courses which offer other study options have longer durations:

  • Full-time with a placement year, 4 years
  • Full-time with a foundation year, 4 years
  • Part-time, 4-9 years

Course content

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Entry requirements

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

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Facilities

Science Centre

Our £30 million Science Centre in Stoke-on-Trent contains specialist laboratories with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Read more

Find out more about our Science Centre Facilities. 

Psychology Observation Suite

The Observation Suite contains an Observation Laboratory setup with a one-way mirror, video cameras and microphones to allow activities to be observed and recorded from the Control Room. Read more

Find out more about our Psychology Observation Suite. 

Mock Courtrooms

One room is designed as a crown courtroom and the other for cases at magistrates’ court. Read more

Students can present legal arguments, act as expert witnesses, or take part in mooting.

Our digitally enabled mock court rooms are designed to create simulated scenarios for students to put theory in to practice and gain confidence, skills and knowledge to take forward in to their career. 

One room is designed as a crown courtroom and the other for cases at magistrates’ court. Students can present legal arguments, act as expert witnesses, or take part in mooting. Each space includes a dock, lawyers’ area and a bench for the judge or magistrates.

The courtrooms are used by a wide range of students from different perspectives including law students, policing, forensics, international relations and more, to give practice with not only mooting but also in presenting evidence and various other aspects of trials.

In our video, learn about simulation in our Mock Court Room, used by students to practice their skills to prepare them for their future career.
Watch video View virtual tour

Psychology Eye Tracking Cubicles

The Psychology Eye Tracking Cubicles house desktop and portable eye trackers that allow us to track participants’ visual attention during psychology experiments. Read more

Find out more about our eye tracking cubicles.

Custody suite

There is a front desk where suspects are booked in after arrest. Read more

Other features include equipment for measuring height and taking fingerprints and custody photos, along with evidence bags and lockers for personal belongings.
Watch video

Psychology Simulation Facilities

Simulation equipment is available throughout the psychology laboratory areas and as stand-alone resources for facilitating research and teaching. Read more

Find out more about our simulation facilities.

Prison cell

With its single bed and toilet, this space can be arranged as a holding cell for detainees. It’s where students can practise offender management techniques. The room can also be turned into a more long-term prison cell.

Watch video

Psychology Human Sciences Suite

The Psychology Human Sciences Suite has an impressive array of laboratory equipment which includes the Electroencephalography (EEG) Laboratory, the Pain Laboratory, and the Cardiovascular Laboratory. Read more

Find out more about our Human Sciences Suite. 

Psychology Cognitive Cubicles

The Psychology Cognitive Cubicles are a set of small cubicles used to run Psychology based tests on individual participants using specialist software. Read more

Find out more about our Psychology Cognitive Suite.

Careers

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Fees

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £17,085 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by reading our additional funding web pages, or visiting www.gov.uk.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time 21 September 2026 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

Have you considered?

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021