BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology

Course Overview

Explore criminological issues through a psychological lens with Arden BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology joint degree. The programme equally integrates both disciplines, providing you with a profound understanding of deviant and criminal behaviour. As you delve into the influences and management of such conduct, you will acquire modern skills crucial for fulfilling roles within the criminal justice field.

Studying criminology and psychology offers a unique perspective on crime, allowing you to explore the psychological underpinnings of why people offend. This multidisciplinary approach provides fresh insights into the motivations and behaviours of offenders.

During the course, you’ll explore the ins and outs of the criminal justice system and what motivated notorious serial killers like Ian Huntley and Peter Sutcliffe, taking an in-depth look at crime, punishment, and prevention.

Career focussed skills

Gain expertise in crime, state power, and criminal justice, alongside factors influencing behaviour, building your ability to provide interventions and support.
Gain insights into human behaviour through examination of personality, development, and social psychology theories, developing analytical skills.
Investigate causes and consequences of crime, and examine high-profile cases through a forensic psychologist’s lens, refining your operational and strategic decision-making abilities.
Look at global criminal justice processes whilst exploring key theories and research that shape policy and practice, fostering critical evaluation skills.

Course details and modules

Your course modules cover the latest developments and best practices in global criminology and psychology, providing a broad range of knowledge and understanding from various international perspectives so that your degree is relevant across the globe.

Just some of the fascinating modules you’ll study on this course include:

Social Psychology

Explore how social elements shape personal choices and behaviours. Apply these insights to real-world scenarios, like understanding bystanders in crimes, the dynamics of joining extremist groups, and the role of attitudes and personality as prerequisites to criminal behaviour.

Crimes of the Powerful

Examine state-driven and state-corporate illegal activities, from police brutality to corporate corruption. Investigate hidden aspects of criminology through cases like genocide and white-collar crime, shedding light on the dynamics of power.

Forensic Psychology

Apply psychological theories to criminal investigations and understand the problems and processes related to criminal offending behaviours and rehabilitation. Analyse high-profile cases like Ted Bundy through the lens of a forensic psychologist, evaluating the factors that led to such crimes.

Crime, Media, and Culture

Examine how contemporary media has influenced true crime, giving new levels of visibility to crime through ‘citizen journalism’ and ‘trial by media.’ Analyse the digital era’s impact on crime, covering online sex crimes, image-based sexual abuse, and internet activism.

Modules

You have between 3 to 9 years to complete this course, which means you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of Arden students, however, aim to complete their studies within 3 to 6 years.

Level 4

Becoming a Criminologist (20 credits)
Introduction to Studying Psychology (20 credits)
Social Psychology (20 credits)
Crime, Media, Culture (20 credits)
Working within the Criminal Justice System (20 credits)
Developmental Psychology (20 credits)

Level 5

The Prison (20 credits)
Personality and Intelligence (20 credits)
Youth Crime and Justice (20 credits)
Crimes of the Powerful (20 credits)
Researching the Field (20 credits)
Forensic Psychology (20 credits)

Level 6

Counselling Psychology, Mental Health and Illness (20 credits)
Victimology (20 credits)
Cyberpsychology (20 credits)
Professional Practice: A Case Study (20 credits)
Research Project (40 credits)

How do Arden University assess students?

AU assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Study options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode at AU campuses in London Ealing, London Tower Hill, London Holborn, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds.

The course is also available to students via online learning. This gives you the convenience of being able to study from anywhere in the UK or worldwide, providing you with the same high standards of teaching but with lower tuition fees.

Full-time blended learning

When you choose AU blended learning study mode, each week you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, Arden university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to our Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of AU UK campuses.

If you’re a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of AU UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on AU fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body.

Part time online learning

How does it work?

Studying this course online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

AU online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to AU Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate AU study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have your Kindle handy.

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with like-minded students who you can meet with through AU Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. Arden have even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on AU fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Introducing your Digital Backpack

Once you’ve enrolled on your Criminology and Psychology degree with Arden you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources we’ve put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.

Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:

Office 365 subscription
Integrated zoom video conferencing
Careers support in-person and online available through Arden Futures, your careers platform, to help you throughout your career journey whether you are a Career Starter, Changer or Developer
Free online access to AU Library Portal, which includes thousands of eBooks and journals, as well as industry databases which AU have carefully hand-picked to support your studies – all yours for free while you study with us
Subscription to Togetherall for an abundance of mental health support.

Entry requirements

At Arden University applications are consider on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – Arden team is more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

Standard entry requirements

To be eligible for AU BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology, you should normally have:

Two subjects at GCE A level or equivalent, plus passes at grade C or above in three subjects at GCSE level or equivalent; OR
Completed a recognised Access Programme or equivalent.
If you don’t currently hold the above qualifications, AU also offer this course with an additional foundation year, which is designed for students who need extra support when starting their degree course

Non standard entry requirements

AU is also happy to consider an application from you if you can show us that you have relevant work experience that required critical thinking and analysis skills. AU will ask you for a personal statement that demonstrates your motivation and ability to study this degree, along with references and evidence of your previous work experience.

Course fee

This course is eligible for Student Loans Company (SLC) funding to help cover the cost of your tuition fees and other expenses. Please submit an enquiry to find out more.

In a UK campus	Fee
Fee per year:	£9,250

Studying Online	Fee
Level 4 fee:	£6,935
Level 5 fee:	£6,935
Level 6 fee:	£6,935

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English Proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent

AU are happy to consider your application if you can provide evidence of relevant work experience where you were required to demonstrate critical thinking and analysis skills.

AU will also ask you for a personal statement that demonstrates your ability to study the course. This personal statement should outline any experience and skills you have in regard to numeracy, writing, and critical analysis/thinking. We may also ask you to provide references and evidence of further relevant experience.

Apply for the Course

Enquire Now

Career prospects

The interdisciplinary nature of this degree will equip you with transferable skills you can apply to a range of exciting career paths in areas directly linked to criminology and psychology, leaving your career options wide open. So whether you already have a career path in mind or are still figuring things out, AU is here to support you on your journey.

What can I do after Arden University?

Completing a criminology and psychology course can open up a world of opportunity – both in the specific fields of criminology and psychology, but also further afield into other industries you might not have even considered! With that in mind, a few career options for you could include:

Police
Prison service
Probation
Social Research
Voluntary sector
Charities or NGOs
Government organisations

You can also go on to study at master’s degree level. Arden University offers a variety of master’s programmes and we are developing many more. Keep looking for further developments!

What can a criminology and psychology degree do for me?

This degree gives students a voice. The aim of studying criminology with psychology is to gain a solid understanding of two well-established fields. Both of which are set out to recognise social values, the criminal justice system and human behaviours. While studying, you will:

Develop your knowledge of criminological theory and psychological studies
Acquire a solid grounding in criminological thinking and principles
Adopt an enquiring and critical appreciation of criminology and psychology
Develop an appreciation of the national and international contexts of criminology
Become an analytical social scientist who can handle both criminological and psychological issues of the modern world
Reflect on what works and what doesn’t in the justice and legal system
Apply your knowledge and experience to real-life scenarios

Industry skills

The course stands out in that the topics you’ll study have a global focus that is relevant anywhere in the world. Avoiding the Western-centric focus of many undergraduate criminology courses, your course content will give you experience and knowledge you can apply to careers both at home and internationally.

Campaign for Social Science

Arden University is a member of the Campaign for Social Science.

The Campaign demonstrates how social science improves public policy, society, and all our lives. It highlights the value of applied social science research and advocates for its greater use in decision-making and in government. It is supported by a coalition of universities, social science societies, and publishers.

As a member, Arden receives access to case studies, research into the value provided by social sciences, and insights into the employability of social science graduates. Through this, you will gain a better understanding of the skills you are learning and their value to employers.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with AU curriculum and your career goals.
Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.