Criminology and Criminal Justice with Psychology - Foundation Degree
Summary
Our Foundation Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice (Psychology) degree offers a unique blend of two dynamic disciplines, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of criminal behaviour, the criminal justice system, and the psychological processes that underpin human actions. This interdisciplinary approach equips you with the skills and knowledge to pursue a variety of careers in criminal justice, mental health, social services, education and beyond.
Our expert lecturers will guide you through a curriculum that is both challenging and inspiring. Your course provides you with opportunities to engage in practical learning through work placements, and field trips, offering you a first hand look at the criminal justice system and psychological services. Practitioners and industry experts from a range of multidisciplinary agencies will provide insights into real life challenges of the justice and penal system.
Depending on your choice of career pathway, the Criminology and Criminal Justice with Psychology programme is also designed to prepare you for postgraduate life, whether as a practitioner in the criminal justice field, an academic researcher or criminal justice policy maker.
- Course code TH1HE0002
- UCAS code M213
- Duration 2 Years
- Day/s of week Thursday and Friday
- Time 09:30 - 15:30
Next course dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
07 Sep 2026
|
University Centre
|
2 Years
|
Before applying, please check whether you meet the entry requirements under 'Key Information' for this course. Don't hesitate to call us on 01253 504343 if you need assistance.
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
Graduates with a degree in criminology and criminal justice with psychology have diverse career options across public, private, and voluntary sectors. Common graduate roles include positions in the police, probation, prison, and court services, as well as intelligence and investigative work with agencies like the National Crime Agency. Opportunities also exist in victim support, youth justice, and community safety.
With the addition of psychology, graduates may also be interested in pursuing roles in research, policy, or mental health services, applying psychological insights to offender rehabilitation, crime prevention, and understanding criminal behaviour. Further study can lead to specialised careers in law or forensic psychology.
Whilst the Foundation Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice with Psychology does not currently offer British Psychological Society (BPS) recognition or accreditation, it can be used as a first step to becoming a psychologist in a specialised field by progressing on to a one year BPS accredited MSc psychology conversion course.
Next steps at B&FC
Criminology and Criminal Justice - BA Hons Degree (Top Up)
Employment Opportunities
Potential career roles include:
Police Officer | Criminal Psychologist | Forensic Psychologist | Probation Officer | Crime Scene Investigator | Social Worker | Youth Worker | Legal Analyst | Lawyer | Civil Service Administrator
Key information
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 80 UCAS points (excluding Functional Skills) in an appropriate discipline:
- CCD from A Levels including criminology, sociology, psychology, law, forensic psychology or public services
- MMP from Extended Diploma or DM from Diploma in appropriate discipline
- Mathematic and English Language GCSE at grade C/4 or above
- Pass Access to HE Diploma in related discipline
Applicants who are able to demonstrate relevant work/life skills or knowledge will also be considered on an individual basis
Qualification obtained
FdSc Criminology and Criminal Justice (Psychology)Fees and funding
Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding, including additional financial support for those on low incomes, with dependent children or adults or with disabilities.
Extra costs and equipment
Resources required to study on the programme are largely provided by the College. There are small costs associated with printing of work and posters over the duration of the course. You are encouraged to bring your own lap-top device to lectures, seminars and workshops, but access to computer facilities is provided by the college. A one-day conference trip to a venue in the region, including conference fee and transport, typically costs around £60/student, although this will be partially funded by the college and is also subject to discount rates offered by conference organisers for group visits.
As part of the programme, you are strongly recommended to attend external events, aimed at developing your knowledge, understanding and appreciation of course material, develop practical skills and embed theoretical concepts. There will also be the opportunity to attend criminology and criminal justice conferences involving criminal justice practitioners, policy-makers and academic researchers. Costs may be incurred to cover transport, accommodation and food. Travel for local trips is paid for by the college. Though most of the course material is available online, there may be additional costs to consider, such as printing and photocopying of course material, though students will be given a photocopying allowance to cover this.
You are encouraged to purchase an introductory textbook in Criminology, in support of your studies.
Terms and conditions
Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.
What will I learn?
The programme:
- will support you to engage with theoretical principles and critically evaluate both your own and others research, whilst also gaining strong practical skills to enable you to seek employment in the criminal justice field.
- is enriched by work experience, and preparatory practical experiences to fully equip you for industry or for further study and research.
- will prepare you for a range of employment opportunities in the criminal justice field, such as the police, probation, prison service, social work, teaching, youth justice, and the Crown Prosecution Service.
- will also be supported and enriched throughout by a range of activities and events designed to give you valuable insight into how criminal justice agencies work and the roles and responsibilities of those working in the criminal justice system.
- will introduce you to visiting guest speakers from relevant industries, and trips to criminology and criminal justice conferences.
- will develop your employability skills and attributes by requiring you to complete a work placement in a professional setting.
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
All students will be required to undertake a work placement in the area of criminal justice. Work-based learning supports the development of higher level learning, where the learning in College can be applied to a work environment.
You are encouraged and supported to find work placements and projects throughout the programme, with the work-based learning assessment embedded in the second year.
For the work-based research project, you will undertake vocationally driven research which will in turn be used to generate a final written research report.
You will create a presentation of your work as part of an academic poster event at the college, with the further possibility of participating and presenting at conference events attended by academic researchers and industry representatives.
The work research project learning activities will allow you to demonstrate your employability skills and attributes, in a professional and supportive environment, and enable you to demonstrate your ability to research and discuss an area of your own particular interest.
How will I learn?
Scheduled Learning
Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.
Independent Study
Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.
Placement
Many of the degree programmes at B&FC incorporate opportunities for work placements to provide you with the opportunity to link your studies to relevant professional practice in a real work environment. Our programme teams are able to offer support in securing an appropriate work placement where it forms part of your programme, and will work closely with you during the placement to ensure that the opportunity allows you to develop personally, professionally and academically.
Expert tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.
Learning Methods
| Learning Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | 306 | 186 | 0 |
| Independent | 894 | 584 | 0 |
| Placement | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| Total | 1200 | 800 | 0 |
How will I be assessed?
| Assessment Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 95% | 75% | 0% |
| Exam | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Practical | 0% | 0% | 0% |