BSc Psychology and Criminology
About this course
The BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology is an undergraduate degree that combines psychological science with the study of crime, criminal justice systems and human behaviour. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Human Behaviour. Students may choose to undertake an optional placement year or a year abroad, and the course is accredited by the British Psychological Society. The first year introduces the core areas of psychology, criminal justice institutions, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and the foundational concepts of criminology. Year two advances these studies through modules covering biological psychology, classic paradigms in cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and theoretical criminology, alongside further research methods and critical perspectives on policing. The final year centres on a large-scale empirical dissertation and professional skills development, alongside advanced study in areas such as forensic psychology, brain and behaviour, and educational psychology. Students can also tailor their studies in the final year by selecting from a range of optional modules, including Crime, Society and Racialisation, Probation and Rehabilitation, Migration and Socio-Legal Dynamics, Critical Approaches to (counter) Terrorism, The Criminal Justice Process, Prisons and Punishment, Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice, and a work placement.
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
GCSE: Minimum of 3 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above including Maths and English Language, equivalents accepted. You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below. A level: 112 UCAS Tariff points. UCAS tariff: 112 UCAS Tariff points. BTEC: DMM T level: T Level - Merit. Foundation Degree: 60% pass mark. Access to HE: 112-120 UCAS points with minimum of 30 credits at distinction. Scottish Highers: 112-120 UCAS Tariff points - BBBCC. Irish Leaving Certificate: 112-120 UCAS Tariff points. IB: 31 points European Baccalaureate: Pass in Diploma of at least 65%.
What students say
Based on about 22 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 84%
- Learning opportunities: 77%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 78%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 70%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 50 students who started
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Sales occupations: 30%
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 375 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 87%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 1%
- South West: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started
- A levels: 85%
- Access course: 10%
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): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Core Areas of Psychology
- Criminal Justice and Human Rights
- Introduction to Quantitative Analysis
- Introduction to Qualitative Research
- Philosophical roots, research approaches and academic skills in Psychology
- Understanding Criminology
- Further Research Methods
- Theoretical Criminology
- Biological Psychology
- New and Critical Theories in Social Psychology
- Classic Paradigms in Cognitive Psychology (Psychology)
- Developmental Psychology in Childhood and Adolescence (Psychology)
- Research and Professional Skills
- Critical Victimology
- Critical Perspectives on Policing
- Violence in Society
- Human Rights, Genocide and Resistance
- Environmental Justice
- Internet Risk and Security
- Individual Differences
- Dissertation
- Become Unstoppable: Professional Skills
- Atypical Child Development
- Brain and Behaviour
- Educational Psychology
- Effective and Affective Thinking and Processing
- Forensic Psychology
- Media Psychology
- Occupational Psychology
- Psychology and Health
- The Psychology of Extreme Violence
- The Psychology of Mental Health
- Work Placement
- Crime, Society and Racialisation
- Probation and Rehabilitation
- Migration and Socio-Legal Dynamics
- Critical Approaches to (counter) Terrorism
- The Criminal Justice Process
- Prisons and Punishment
- Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice
- Violence in Society
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Psychology and Criminology at University of Salford earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £22,000 after 3 years, £25,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £33,000. The £25,500 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of BSc Psychology and Criminology at University of Salford do next?
90% 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 Salford?
84% 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 Salford?
The typical offer is 31 points in the IB. The average entrant had 121 UCAS points.
Is BSc Psychology and Criminology at University of Salford 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 Salford include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Psychology and Criminology at University of Salford?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.