Psychology and Criminology BSc (Hons)

Accredited by the British Psychological Society.* Be inspired by experts at the forefront of the profession and hone your skills in our exceptional hi-tech facilities. Ask questions such as What is crime? Who is a criminal? What motivates offenders? Explore different theories and the impact this has on todays society.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE

Boost your employability

Combining two subjects boosts your employability and gives you the opportunity to develop knowledge and expertise in two subject areas, making you a more versatile graduate.

Cutting-edge research

Our Psychology and Criminology staff are conducting influential research in areas such as mental health, wellbeing, compassion and mindfulness, hate crime, human trafficking, organised crime and more. You will be encouraged to think creatively and challenge established beliefs in order to conduct your own research and develop your interests. Our emphasis on problem-based learning means you will be well equipped to meet the real-world challenges you will face in your future career.

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)

This course is accredited by the BPS if you choose to major in Psychology and complete the credit-bearing modules. This shows we have met BPS standards for delivering a high-standard of psychology education and student development. This accreditation means you can apply for BPS student membership, offering you networking opportunities, discounts, access to academic journals, events and e-learning.

Specialist facilities

Our Psychology and Criminology facilities are used for both teaching and research. They include computing labs with specialist software for designing experiments and research. Youll use a range of psychological recording equipment such as the latest eye-tracker equipment for analysing eye movement and our Babylab for ethical research with babies and young children. You’ll be able to gain practical experience of investigative processes using our first-rate facilities such as a replica crown court and custody suite. We also have well-resourced lecture theatres, seminar rooms and social learning spaces.

HOW YOU’LL LEARN:

You will learn from lecturers and tutors who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and are carrying out research designed to offer fresh perspectives on issues that are significant at every stage of life. Your lecturers bring their latest thinking to your studies. And, in some cases, you’ll have opportunities to get involved in research projects yourself. You will learn through lectures, seminars, multimedia presentations, online collaboration, guest lectures and class debates. Quality inspectors have commended us for being “at the forefront of technology-enhanced learning” in Psychology.

YOUR CAREER:

Psychology and Criminology opens doors to many different sectors and professions - anywhere an understanding of people is valued - so your career options will be broad. Psychology and Criminology graduates have gone on to roles in: psychological/scientific/clinical research, mental health support and management, occupational/educational/forensic/clinical psychology, the police, crown prosecution service, the courts, probation and prison services, public sector management and more.

STUDY OPTIONS:

On the Joint Honours programme, there are different pathways of study available. You can often study both subjects equally or choose to major in a subject. Please view the course page on our website for more information on pathways.

We're a Top 10 UK University* in the heart of England, with great transport links to London and the rest of the UK.

Ranked 2nd in the UK for employability and course quality*, the University of Derby offers expert, industry-relevant teaching, state-of-the-art study spaces, award-winning accommodation, and a welcoming, inclusive community.

(*Uni Compare 2026)