BSc(Hons) Psychology with Criminology (with Foundation Year)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of the West of England

Program Overview

This BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology with Foundation Year at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is built for students who want to understand both human behaviour and crime, combining psychological science with real-world criminological insight. It is especially suitable for students who may not meet direct entry requirements but still want a clear pathway into a psychology-based degree with strong academic support from the beginning.

You will study how people think, behave, and develop, alongside how crime is understood, investigated, and managed in society. The course helps you build strong analytical, research, and communication skills that are useful in a wide range of professional settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year Zero (Foundation Year)

In the foundation year, you study alongside other social science students while building essential academic confidence and study skills. You are introduced to key ideas in psychology, criminology, sociology, and politics through modules such as Psychology and People, Exploring the Social World and the Problems of Crime, Essentials of Academic Practice, and Research Design for Psychology. This year is focused on helping you adjust to university learning while developing the foundations needed for degree-level study.

Year One

In your first year, you begin core academic study in psychology and criminology. You explore how the criminal justice system works through Introduction to Criminal Justice and Introduction to Criminological Theory, while also examining behaviour through Introduction to Psychology and Crime and Understanding Crime. Alongside this, Research Design and Analysis 1 introduces you to key methods used in psychological research.

Year Two

In the second year, your understanding becomes more advanced and analytical. You study how identity, development, and the brain influence behaviour through modules like Identities in Psychology and Mind, Brain and Development. You also strengthen your research skills with both qualitative and quantitative methods. At this stage, you can also choose optional modules such as Crime, Media and Culture, Drugs, Crime and Society, Mental Health, Crime and Criminal Justice, and Youth Offending, allowing you to focus on areas that interest you most.

Final Year

In your final year, you focus on independent thinking and specialist topics. You complete a Psychology Project where you conduct your own research, alongside studying Forensic Psychology. Optional modules such as Prisons, Punishment and Human Rights, Organised Crime, Victims and Victimology, Risk and Risk Management, and Gender, Sex and Social Control allow you to specialise further and explore real-world issues in depth.

Focus Areas

Psychology and human behaviour, criminology and criminal justice systems, forensic psychology, mental health and offending behaviour, research methods and data analysis, crime prevention and social policy, applied psychology in real-world settings, critical thinking and evidence-based analysis

Learning Outcomes

You will graduate with the ability to understand and explain human behaviour using psychological theories, analyse the causes and consequences of crime, conduct and evaluate psychological research, interpret both qualitative and quantitative data, apply theory to real-life criminal justice issues, and communicate findings clearly in academic and professional contexts

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). If you complete the psychology pathway and achieve the required academic standard, you gain eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartership, which is an important first step toward becoming a professional psychologist in the UK.

Reputation (Employability & Recognition)

UWE Bristol is known for its strong focus on employability, combining academic learning with practical skills and real-world application. Graduates from this course progress into careers in psychology, criminal justice, law enforcement, mental health services, education, social services, and related fields, while others continue into postgraduate study or professional training routes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the Psychology with Criminology with Foundation Year programme at UWE Bristol develop practical skills from the very start, learning how psychological theory and criminological ideas are applied in real-world situations. The course is strongly focused on hands-on learning, where you don’t just study concepts but actively use research methods, analyse behaviour, and explore real issues in crime and society through structured practical work. Teaching is supported by modern facilities and research-led environments that help you build confidence in both psychology and criminology practice.

Experiential learning is embedded throughout the degree and supported by specialist labs, digital tools, and research spaces that mirror professional settings:

Psychology laboratories designed for undergraduate research, including equipment to measure physiological responses such as heart rate and stress levels in experiments
Facilities for advanced psychological research, including EEG for brain activity, eye-tracking systems, and brain stimulation technology used in controlled studies
Dedicated rooms for conducting interviews, experiments, and group-based research projects
Driving simulator used to study behaviour, perception, and decision-making in realistic but controlled environments
Access to statistical and research software used in psychology for analysing both numerical and qualitative data
Online learning platform used for lecture materials, coursework submission, quizzes, and academic discussion
Practical sessions built into core modules such as research methods, where students design and carry out experiments
A final-year independent research project where students investigate a topic of their choice using real psychological research methods
Opportunities to engage with staff-led research groups and psychology research activity within the university
Extensive library resources with academic journals, databases, and quiet study spaces available for independent learning
Academic personal tutor support throughout the course to guide research development and academic progress
Guest lectures and talks from professionals in psychology, criminology, and related fields, helping connect theory to real practice

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Psychology with Criminology with Foundation Year at UWE Bristol develop a strong understanding of human behaviour, crime, and research methods, giving them the confidence to step into roles that involve working with people, analysing behaviour, or supporting justice and wellbeing systems. This combination of psychology and criminology opens doors to careers where understanding why people think and act the way they do is essential.

Typical career paths include psychological wellbeing practitioner, probation officer, police or criminal justice roles, youth worker, or research and data analyst positions. Many graduates also move into support roles within mental health services, rehabilitation programmes, or social care organisations.

After graduation, students benefit from strong employability support and industry connections:

UWE Careers Service provides personalised support with CV writing, interview preparation, job applications, and career planning
Employability skills are built into the degree through research projects, practical learning, and applied assessments that reflect real workplace situations
Access to employer events, career fairs, and networking opportunities with organisations in psychology, policing, criminal justice, and public services
Course content is informed by professionals in the field, helping students understand real-world practice and expectations
British Psychological Society accreditation strengthens long-term career credibility and is an important step toward becoming a professional psychologist
Strong demand for graduates in areas such as mental health services, education, criminal justice, and government organisations
Opportunities for volunteering and work experience that help students build practical skills and strengthen their career profile before graduation

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, students often continue into postgraduate study in areas such as forensic psychology, clinical psychology, counselling, or criminology. Some choose to pursue a Master’s degree or research pathway to specialise further and work towards professional psychologist status or advanced roles in mental health and criminal justice services.