Criminology and Psychology with foundation year

Explore criminological issues, forensic psychology, and the psychology of crime and mental health to help build an impactful career in preventative education and rehabilitation in the criminal justice system and beyond.

Please note that the foundation year of this Coventry University degree will be delivered from our CU Coventry campus. Course delivery from year 1 of the degree onwards will be from our Coventry University campus.

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course.

Foundation year
The foundation year course offers an introduction to your chosen subject and helps you develop the necessary skills for degree-level study. It aims to provide a thorough understanding of legal principles and best practice. With a focus on European, national and local contexts, this course explores the development of legislation and case law with core academic skills.

Degree
This interdisciplinary course offers a chance to explore crime and criminal justice through critical perspectives and psychological insights. By applying theory to real-world settings, you should gain the skills needed to address key societal issues and prepare for an impactful, rewarding career in this field.


- Contemporary curriculum: gain expert insights into crime prevention, rehabilitation, witness and victim trauma, and the inner workings of the justice system.


- Interdisciplinary Knowledge: this course offers a nuanced perspective on crime and justice by merging criminological theories with psychological principles, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.


- Industry-focused learning: our approach combines innovative teaching methods and immersive simulations in our mock prison cells and moot room to prepare you for the complexities of crime and justice, ensuring your learning is directly aligned with current challenges in the criminal justice system.


Why you should study this course

Foundation year
• Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.



• Provides a grounding in key areas of criminal law and legal practice.



Degree
- Specialised topics: specialise in an exciting range of topics and themes within the programme. These include the psychology of criminal behaviour, rehabilitation and criminal justice, psychology in forensic contexts and punishment and control.


- Project-based learning: actively engage in real-world, meaningful projects and work on complex problems. Create tangible solutions and develop essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and communication. Assessments are designed to reflect the type of work and tasks carried out by those working in criminology and psychology. They may include the production of opinion pieces, reports and research papers, posters and infographics, as well as problem-solving scenarios such as assessment centre exercises. These are designed to showcase your expertise and real-world readiness.


- Impactful work: graduates can expect to make a real difference by working on crime prevention, rehabilitation and justice reform, helping to create safer, more equitable communities.


- Applied learning: the course provides a deep understanding of the psychological factors influencing criminal actions and societal responses, helping to prepare you to work within systems that deal with offenders, victims and law enforcement.


- Academic community: learning experiences are designed to be built around collaboration and research, taught by a team of accessible criminologists and psychologists.


Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information.

Coventry University, part of Coventry University Group, is a modern, globally connected university with a mission to create better futures. Founded in 1843 through innovation and enterprise, they continue to work closely with industry to equip their graduates with the real-world skills and creative thinking they need to make a difference.

Coventry is also a Top 5 Student City in England (QS Best Student Cities Index 2026), and they guarantee accommodation if you apply through Clearing. With campuses across Coventry, London, Scarborough, Dagenham, and Greenwich, you can choose to study where it suits you best.

They're rated overall Gold in TEF 2023, recognising the quality of their teaching and student experience. From academic and wellbeing support to their Phoenix+ programme of employability activities and dedicated Success Coaches, they’re with you every step of the way.