BSc Psychology and Criminology
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Psychology and Criminology is an undergraduate degree that explores human mental processes alongside the study of crime, the legal system and societal responses to lawbreaking. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, Human Behaviour, and Global & Comparative Perspective. Students can optionally undertake a professional placement year between the second and final stages of the programme. The first year introduces foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Introduction to Social and Cognitive Psychology, Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology, Introduction to Biological and Developmental Psychology, The Criminal Justice System, Introduction to Criminological Theory, and Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice. Subsequent stages offer a broad selection of specialised modules covering mental health, forensic topics, policing, rehabilitation, and social issues, allowing students to tailor their studies towards specific career paths. Optional final-year modules enable further specialisation in areas like Addictive Behaviours, Cybercrime, and Forensic Applications of Psychology. Students also have the opportunity to complete an independent research project or study in their final stage.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 112 A level: BBC T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 English language: IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)
What students say
Based on about 53 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 81%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 74%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 135 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 86%
- Gained a higher qualification: 1%
- Left higher education: 14%
What graduates do next
Based on about 32 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 15%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 40%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 25%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 195 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 58%
- West Midlands: 18%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 4%
- South East: 3%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 87%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 9%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Introduction to Social and Cognitive Psychology
- Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
- Introduction to Biological and Developmental Psychology
- The Criminal Justice System
- Introduction to Criminological Theory
- ​​Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice​
- Biological and Developmental Psychology
- Social and Cognitive Psychology
- Qualitative Methods: The Individual in Society
- Animal Behaviour
- Psychopathology
- 5PS513
- Cyberpsychology
- Psychology, Nature and Wellbeing
- Individual Differences and Quantitative Methods
- Themes in Forensic Psychology
- The Psychology of Health
- Policing and Society
- Penology: Punishment and Rehabilitation
- Victimology
- Effecting Change
- Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application
- Independent study in psychology
- Addictive Behaviours
- Positive Psychology
- Applied Psychology of Human Performance
- Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD
- Behaviour Change
- Clinical Applications of Psychology
- Employability and Work Placement
- Forensic Applications of Psychology
- Human Behaviour and Evolution
- Neuropsychology
- Psychology Literature Review Project
- Psychology of Eating Behaviours
- Psychology of Illness
- Psychology of Parenting
- Psychology of Sexuality and Gender
- Psychology of Thinking
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- The Dark Side of Psychology
- The Psychology of Pain
- Psychology of Communication
- Psychology in Education
- Cybercrime
- Youth Justice
- Green Criminology and Global Communities
- Sexual Violence, Exploitation and Abuse
- Substance Misuse
- Criminal Intelligence Analysis
- Offenders with Mental and Intellectual Disabilities
- Murder: Dynamics, Pathologies and Investigation
- Working with Young Offenders
- Psychopathy
- Domestic Abuse
- Applied Working with Offenders
- International Criminology
- Investigating Crime
- Independent Study
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Psychology and Criminology at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £24,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £29,500. The £24,000 median after five years is £3,500 less than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of BSc Psychology and Criminology at University of Derby do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Psychology and Criminology at University of Derby?
81% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Psychology and Criminology at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 100 UCAS points.
Is BSc Psychology and Criminology at University of Derby accredited?
Yes. Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Does BSc Psychology and Criminology at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BSc Psychology and Criminology at University of Derby?
86% of students continued into their second year, and 14% left higher education.