Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons)
Course Code
UCAS Code: CM89
International Code: HLSU192
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Start date
September 2022
Course overview
Study level: Undergraduate
This course is designed to give you an understanding of the study of human behaviour, the causes of criminal behaviour, public reactions to crime and the psychology of all those involved in and affected by crime.
- No.1 for career prospects for Criminology in the Midlands in the Guardian University Guide 2021
- A global top 200 university for Psychology according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021
- The current teaching team come from a range of specialist backgrounds including mental health, psychology, sociology and criminal justice giving a rich and varied range of perspectives that underpin your learning.
- Opportunities to participate in exciting field trips abroad*, which have previously included the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, Robben Island and Victor Verster Prison in South Africa, and the Stasi museum in Berlin.

Global Ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
This course explores public social attitudes, psychological explanations of criminal behaviour and consequences for social policies and for the management of offenders. Ideal for those who are looking at potential career options in the criminal justice sector (e.g. policing, community safety, youth offending) upon successful completion, this fascinating course explores the role of crime and its control through the criminal justice process. It draws on aspects of applied psychology to look at better understanding the behaviour of criminals and the impact of both crime and punishment.
- The course aims to equip you with an understanding of how crime and punishment are perceived, exploring a wide variety of phenomena associated with crime, victimisation, punishment and criminal justice in a global context. The curriculum focuses on the causes of crime and the means by which society attempts to deal with it.
- Staff engage in research, national and international conference presentations, and writing for publication on topical issues related to the curriculum, such as gun control, drugs, violence, sexual abuse, policing and policy issues, all of which inform your learning.
- We adopt an innovative approach to student learning through involving guest speakers from different spheres such as prison service, probation, police, practising psychologists, victims support and rehabilitation agencies, designed to provide effective learning insights (subject to availability). We have excellent current professional links with employers including Police, HM Prison Service and Positive Youth Foundation.
- A focus on out of classroom activity emphasises practical field trips* which may include visits to prisons, courts and destinations which in the past have included trips to South Africa, Finland, New York, Germany and Poland. The course also has a strong track record of work with international partners to offer opportunities for online international learning, field trips and overseas placements.
- You will be encouraged to engage in volunteering activities supported by the university and our Talent Team can support you in finding such opportunities. In previous years an annual Criminology Volunteering Fair has been hosted. Agencies such as Warwickshire and West Midlands Police, Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Victim Support have previously attended to advertise PCSO and support worker roles. This event also provides excellent professional networking opportunities for posts such as intelligence analysts.
for career prospects for Criminology in the Midlands
Guardian University Guide 2021
Criminology students observe Weinstein trial
In January 2020 our Criminology students, on a field trip to New York, had the good fortune to observe the initial stages of jury selection for the Harvey Weinstein trial. They also watched Gloria Allred, a high-profile lawyer in the US, who currently represents several of Weinstein’s alleged victims - and who has been instrumental to the #metoo movement - give a press conference. Following the press conference, Gloria Allred agreed to talk to the students and explained the importance of the case and answered questions.

What you'll study
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
You will be taught using a mixture of lectures and small group seminars and ‘hands-on’ skills workshops. This combination supports you to explore topics more independently and in more depth. You will be encouraged to utilise an innovative approach to learning through involving guest speakers from different spheres of activity such as the UK Borders Agency, practising psychologists, victims and oversight agencies, which are designed to provide effective learning insights (subject to availability).
The current teaching team come from a range of specialist backgrounds and engage in research, national and international conference presentations, and writing for publication, all of which inform teaching and learning and maintain its currency.
In a typical teaching week, you will have approximately 14 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This generally breaks down as:
Personal tutorial/small group teaching: around 1-2 hours of tutorials or individual project supervision each week
- Medium group teaching: around 6-8 hours of skills workshops or seminars each week
- Large group teaching: around 4-6 hours of lectures each week.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake approximately a further 15-20 hours of self-directed study each week e.g. completing the recommended reading that accompanies your lectures, working on coursework assignments, taking part in group work and exam revision.
Some ‘contact’ hours may take the form of synchronous online learning (e.g. live online lectures, meeting tutors via video calling etc).
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include coursework, tests, essays, formal examinations, and practical or project work.
This course is predominantly assessed by coursework.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.
Job ready
Our courses have been designed to provide practical work experience* and aim to equip you with a range of skills and competencies that should help to set you apart from other and should make you attractive to potential employers. These include group work, literature reviewing, critical analysis and the delivery of oral presentations.
We are committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career options, upon successful completion.
Successful completion of this course can give students who attain a 2:2 or above the opportunity to apply for the MA Criminology course. Please note that this is subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional fees may apply.
International experience opportunities
As well as offering a range of short international field trips, which have previously included a visit to Krakow in Poland to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, you also have the opportunity to complete the course over four years with a year spent studying abroad.
The university currently has links with over 20 institutions in Cyprus, France, Malta, Spain, Sweden and Turkey, as well as several other countries around the world. In the past, previous students on this course have studied the youth justice system in Malta and the sex industry in the context of people trafficking in Madrid.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
2022/23 Tuition fees
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International | £15,300 per year | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
Facilities
Mock prison cells
Our mock cells enable you to experience the practical aspects of life in prison. Have a look round our mock prison cell on our virtual 360 tour.
Careers and opportunities
Upon successful completion, a Criminology and Psychology degree from Coventry University can provide you with an excellent basis for graduate-level employment in a wide range of relevant professions, from the more established career options such as the prison, probation and police service to the newer initiatives in areas of community safety and crime prevention.
Successful completion of this course can give students who attain a 2:2 or above the opportunity to apply for the MA Criminology course. Please note that this is subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional fees may apply.
Where our graduates work
Previous graduates have gone on to pursue postgraduate qualifications and work for a range of organisations, including the National Crime Agency, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, HM Prison Service, Coventry Cyrenians and West Midlands Police. Please note that further study is subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional fees may apply.
Further study
You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the Criminology MA. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.
How to apply
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UK Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS. Part-time students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimer
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2021/22 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
Facilities
Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Placements and study abroad opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Additional costs
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).