Undergraduate

Psychology with Criminology

Hull Psychology student, Lisa Stafford, stands smiling holding a model of a brain.
Hull students gathering evidence in the University's on-campus Replica Crime Scene Facility.
A model of a cross section of the human brain.
Hull Psychology student, Aaron Hall, smiling in front of a screen showing an animation of the human brain.

Look around

Gain the skills you need to work as a counsellor or psychologist in a clinical or forensic field, or as a prison, probation or victim support officer.
Collect evidence, explore criminal activity, and see the world of forensic science brought to life in our purpose-built Replica Crime Scene Facility.
Gather, analyse and evaluate data about people’s behaviour and thoughts, drawing on disciplines such as social policy, sociology, psychology and law.
Psychology opens up so many careers. Our graduates also go on to work as teachers, marketers and HR professionals in the public or private sector.
Use the latest psychology facilities including EEG equipment for measuring brain activity, a brain simulation lab, eye-tracking lab, and baby lab.
Hull Psychology student, Lisa Stafford, stands smiling holding a model of a brain.
Hull students gathering evidence in the University's on-campus Replica Crime Scene Facility.
A model of a cross section of the human brain.
Hull Psychology student, Aaron Hall, smiling in front of a screen showing an animation of the human brain.
Brain Simulation Laboratory

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Code

Duration

Mode

  • Standard course
  • With a placement year
  • With a foundation year
  • September 2025

Typical offer

What does this mean?

Crime begins in the mind. As do responses to it. Gain a thorough understanding of the human mind, while also discovering the theoretical and policy issues relating to crime.

Hull’s been teaching Psychology since 1928, and was one of the first to teach Criminology over 50 years ago. We remain at the forefront today, researching the latest challenges the world faces. Dementia, trauma, violent crime, social justice, cybercrime, and intelligence.

And we combine this cutting-edge research with industry-standard facilities. A brain simulation lab, a crime scene training facility, and much more…

  • 97% of students

    in work or further study 15 months after graduating 1

  • Replica crime scene

    training facility

  • Study abroad

    at a European university

  • Field trips

    to courts, prisons and police stations

  • Accredited

    by the British Psychological Society 2

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

One of the aims of this course is to give you the skills to gather, analyse and evaluate data about people’s behaviour and thoughts. In understanding how crime is dealt with, you’ll draw on disciplines such as social policy, sociology, psychology and law.

You'll benefit from the latest psychology facilities. Electroencephalography (EEG) equipment for measuring brain activity. A brain stimulation lab. An eye-tracking laboratory. And a baby lab.

Put what you learn into practice in our replica crime scene facility right here on campus. A recent addition to the University, it provides detailed and realistic crime scenes for you to explore. Get hands on: collect evidence, explore criminal activity, and see the world of forensic science brought to life.

Thanks to our links with criminal justice agencies, you’ll get to develop your learning through work placements and experience-enhancing visits.

You can also study for a semester in countries like the Netherlands (Saxion University), Norway (University of Bergen), Germany (Osnabrück University) and Hungary (Eötvös Loránd University). 

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society. Graduate with a 2:2 or above and you are entitled to become a graduate member of the society, putting you on the pathway to qualifying as a Chartered Psychologist.

Scheduled study hours and how you’re assessed

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time is divided across the year varies and depends on the module you are studying.

How you'll be assessed depends on the course you study, and the modules you choose. You may be assessed through a mix of examinations, coursework, presentations and group projects.

Choose your modules

Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, and you need 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits – so you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.

Preparing for Learning in Higher Education

This module is designed to give you the best possible start to your university studies, making sure you have all the essential skills you need to succeed. Through lectures and workshops we will teach you how to write in an academic style, how to find quality sources, how to reference work, culminating in writing up a mini-research project.

Core•20 credits

Group Challenge (Sciences)

In a group, you'll formulate questions that can be tested by scientific investigations and take part in weekly workshops with academics.

Core•20 credits

Foundation in Data Analysis

Develop a strong foundation in data collection and analysis. This module will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative data and how to analyse it; the collection of primary and secondary data; the production of high quality graphics; and report writing.

Core•20 credits

Introduction to Biological Sciences 1

This module covers basic knowledge on cells and biological molecules and how they are connected to the function of major organ systems in animals, plants and humans. The main topics are cell structure, exchange and transport, the genetic code, microbiology and energy processes.

Compulsory•20 credits

Introduction to Psychology

Module information coming soon.

Compulsory•20 credits

Foundation Maths Skills

This module delivers core mathematics skills at level two and three to give a solid basis for future studies. You will study the following topics: manipulation of numerical data and converting between different units of measurement; exponentials and logarithms; and standard form and problems involving ratio, proportion and percentages.

Optional•20 credits

Foundation Mathematics 1

This module delivers core mathematics skills to build a solid basis for future studies. You will study the following topics: factors, multiples, indices, fractions and standard form; algebra, linear and quadratic equations; averages and spread; functions, exponentials and logarithms; and right angled triangles and trigonometry.

Optional•20 credits

Foundation Mathematics A

You will study pure mathematics topics, including proof, algebra, trigonometry, differentiation, integration, exponentials, logarithms, sequences and series. The applied topic is probability and statistics.

Optional•20 credits

The foundation year is designed to provide you with the core skills you will need to succeed as an undergraduate. You will take six modules that will introduce you to Psychology as the scientific study of human behaviour and prepare you for study in higher education.
8 Modules

Exploring Social Psychology

Would you inflict pain on another person if instructed to do so by an authority figure? How likely are people to conform to group pressure? What makes a friend act aggressively or donate money to charity? This module considers what effect the environment has on human behaviour and explores how psychological theories can be applied to your everyday life. If you’ve ever wondered why your friend is acting in a certain way, this module will provide some clues to the answer.

Compulsory•10 credits

Assessing Individual Differences

You may have encountered personality and intelligence tests in educational or occupational settings, but have you ever wondered how these tests were developed? This module explores the complexities of intelligence and personality conceptualisation and testing and gives an insight into why people are unique. By engaging with a range of theories and psychometrics, you will be able to assess the controversies and ethical dilemmas of personality and intelligence testing.

Compulsory•10 credits

Research Skills 1

This module will introduce you to the process of psychological research. You will develop skills in quantitative data processing and presentation of descriptive statistics.

Core•20 credits

Cognition and Development 1

Explore the  ideas, research methods and findings that have shaped modern cognitive and developmental psychology. 

Core•20 credits

Brain and Behaviour 1

Explore the relationship between the brain and human behaviour, including how we sense the world, how we act in the world and how we think and feel about the world.

Core•20 credits

Research Skills 2

Develop your research skills further with a focus on how we infer things about the world using data. This module gives you practical experience of research methods.

Core•20 credits

Criminology in Late Modernity

Examine how current criminological theory explains recent developments in crime and crime control, drawing from postmodern criminology, cultural criminology and masculinities. 

Core•20 credits
7 Modules

Research Skills 3

Discover experimental designs involving multiple conditions and independent variables. You'll learn how to analyse data generated by these more complex designs.

Core•20 credits

Brain and Behaviour 2

Study more advanced topics including cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology. This module also introduces issues in comparative psychology and animal intelligence.

Core•20 credits

Research Skills 4

On this module, you'll develop your qualitative data collection and analysis skills, and focus on psychometrics and the ability to process complex real-world secondary data sources.

Core•20 credits

Think You Know Policing?

Think you know Policing? Now is your chance to think about it. This module provides you with a grounding and understanding of the range of theoretical issues involved in policing, and its key social functions of order maintenance and crime control. You'll consider the practical and political issues that face the public police in pursuing these and what Policing really means.

Core•20 credits

Applied Social Psychology

Many of our daily activities are influenced by social psychological theories; from medical decision making to consumer behaviour to environmental attitudes. Social psychology can help us to understand why people behave the way they do and hold the attitudes they hold. In this module, you'll explore how social psychological theory can help to explain many everyday behavioural phenomena. 

Compulsory•10 credits

Personality and Intelligence in Focus

Explore personality and intelligence by seeing how these individual differences help predict behaviours. We will examine how personality theories can be applied across different cultures and uncover the links between personality and wellbeing. You will also delve into current debate around the origins of intelligence and its applications. 

Compulsory•10 credits
6 Modules

Research Project (Psychology)

Carry out your own psychological research grounded in empirical approaches. You'll develop your research skills working alongside a supervisor and engaging in independent empirical work.

Core•40 credits

Surveillance and Social Control

You'll study a range of theoretical perspectives on the emergence of a surveillance society - and examine the impact this is having on policing, criminal justice and social justice. You will also explore some of the wider social, political, economic, and cultural drivers behind the emergence of ‘new surveillance’ technologies.

Optional•20 credits

Terrorism and Cybersecurity

Your work this module will reflect real-world practice as you look closer at what’s happening in the world today, and discuss and debate key terms such as ‘cyber’, 'radicalisation', 'terrorism', ‘extremism’ and 'violent extremism'. 

Optional•20 credits

Histories of Punishment

Study the history of punishment and penal policy between the mid-eighteenth and the early twentieth century. You'll examine public punishments, notably execution, transportation overseas, the birth of the prison, the operation of the Victorian penal system and the ways in which different offenders have been punished. You'll explore how these things have changed over time - for example, in the case of female offenders and juvenile offenders.

Optional•20 credits

Doin’ Time: American Prison Culture of the 20th and 21st Centuries

On this module, you'll analyse a range of cultural texts to understand and explain the complexity of the American prison system in the 20th /21st centuries. We explore the American “Prison Industrial Complex” in terms of race, gender, class, economics and politics. The prison system – as represented in texts varying from The Shawshank Redemption to Poems from Guantanamo – is used to better comprehend the broader sociology of the US.

Optional•20 credits

What Works?

Everyone has ideas about how to reduce crime, make police more effective or improve victim satisfaction. But how do we know what works? This module introduces you to the methods that explore what works in Criminology and equips you with the necessary critical and methodological skills.

Optional•20 credits

Contemporary Imprisonment

Study the contemporary sociology of imprisonment. You'll examine current controversies in the use of prison sentences and consider the effects of incarceration on offenders. 

Optional•20 credits

Modern Slavery in the UK

Slavery in the UK has risen exponentially over the past 20 years - now reaching some 136,000 victims. You'll consider definitions of slavery and how its scale is measured. You will adopt a social harm perspective, maintaining a victim/survivor focus whilst formulating proactive strategies for more effective preventative approaches to modern slavery.

Optional•20 credits

Drug Use Today

This module introduces the study of ‘the drug problem’, in Western society. You'll explore the sociological and psychological perspectives used to explain drug-using behaviour. 

Optional•20 credits

Criminal Psychology

Understand why some people commit crime, how we can improve criminal investigations and trials, and the role of the forensic psychologist within the criminal justice system. You'll explore questions like: what is a psychopath, what effect does solitary confinement have on a prisoner’s mental health, can offenders be rehabilitated, and what can a crime scene tell us about the criminal.

Optional•20 credits

Sex Work, Policy and Crime

Critically examine the historical, legal, social and cultural dimensions of the sex industry by using the major theories of crime and deviance. You'll explore why there is a market for sex in the first place, and the economic, cultural and social factors which impact upon the realities of the work. You will look beyond media stereotypes at what working in the industry can be like.

Optional•20 credits

Criminal Investigation

Learn specialist investigatory techniques and consider how this produces evidence in the courtroom. You'll explore topics like offender profiling and forensic investigation, through the medium of miscarriages of justice that focus on key issues around race, gender, religion and other social characteristics. You'll also get practical experience by taking part in crime scene room simulations.

Optional•20 credits

Environmental Crimes and Green Criminology

Explore different types, causes and actors of eco-crimes perpetrated against the environment and non-human species through the critical lens of green criminology. Through practical examples and contemporary issues, you will analyse important topics such as wildlife crimes, food crimes, environmental activism and the involvement of organised and corporate crime. 

Optional•20 credits

Advanced GIS

Get a practical overview of the principles and applications of current surveying, monitoring and spatial analysis methodologies. You'll gain a practical understanding of how to use environmental and social science digital data sources and learn how to build a digital database, including methodologies enabling the processing of disparate datasets, and advanced spatial analysis and modelling techniques.

Optional•20 credits
14 Modules

Study Abroad (Psychology)

You'll have an opportunity to spend a semester abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, studying two modules which will count towards your degree in Hull. 

Core•20 credits
1 Modules

This course is accredited by

Playlist

Dr Shane Lindsay

Course Overview 3 mins

Choosing Psychology

Student story 2 mins

Criminology facilities

Course highlight 2 mins

Psychology lecturers

Student story 13 mins

Entry requirements

What do I need?

When it comes to applying to university, you'll need a certain number of UCAS points. Different qualifications and grades are worth a different amount of points. For this course, you'll need…

Use UCAS's calculator to work out your estimated points

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it's not just about the grades - we'll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

Have questions? Our admissions team will be happy to help.

What do I need?

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and computers on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and computers on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our academics

You learn from professional psychologists and criminologists. In a friendly, supportive department with strong links to criminal justice agencies and the private sector. So everything you learn is up to date and industry-relevant.

See more academics for this subject
Professor Iain Brennan
Featured academic

Professor Iain Brennan

Iain's research focuses on violence prevention including weapon-carrying and domestic abuse. He’s an adviser to the Home Office, Youth Endowment Fund, College of Policing, National Police Chiefs' Council, and many police forces across the UK.
Steph Sayan
Featured academic

Dr Steph Sayan

Steph’s PhD research looked at the experience of intrusive memories in depressive disorders, and whether individual differences in cognitive control abilities can explain why some individuals experience these memories more often than other people.

Take a look at our facilities

Brain Stimulation Laboratory

Learn how to measure brain activity using an electroencephalography (EEG) machine and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We also work with nearby Hull Royal Infirmary to use MRI scanning.

Replica Crime Scene Faciliiy

We’re one of the few universities in the UK to have one of these on campus. Collect evidence, explore criminal activity, and see the world of forensic science brought to life.

Baby lab

Our ‘baby lab’ is equipped with specialist equipment to help you understand the fascinating world of infant development.

Eye-tracking lab

Study areas of cognitive psychology such as attention and visual perception. Plus, you’ll have access to an audiometric lab for studying human responses to sounds, including noise, speech and music.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Replica Crime Scene Facility
An adult's hand holding a baby's finger
student undergoing psychology brain text using monitoring equipment
Brain Simulation Laboratory
Replica Crime Scene Facility
An adult's hand holding a baby's finger
student undergoing psychology brain text using monitoring equipment
Hull Psychology student and lecturer using the equipment in one of the University's psychology research labs.

Future prospects

With this degree, you'll be equipped with skills for a variety of careers. As a scientist, your analytical and problem-solving abilities and experience in research will be sought after by employers. You can pursue a career as a counsellor or psychologist in a clinical or forensic field, or as a prison, probation or victim support officer. Our graduates even go on to work as teachers, marketers and HR professionals in the public or private sectors.

Thanks to our facilities and work experience opportunities, you’ll graduate with an edge over the competition. In fact, 97% of our Psychology students are in work or further study 15 months after graduating.1

Watch

Psychology careers
University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

The standard way to apply for this course is through UCAS. This will give you the chance to showcase your skill, qualities and passion for the subject, as well as providing your academic qualifications.

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

Visit our next Open Day, and see all that Hull has to offer for yourself. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.

Book your place now

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1. 97% employability (Psychology) UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Higher Education Graduate Outcomes statistics, for the academic year 2021/22, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency June 2024.

2. If you graduate with at least a 2:2 and pass your empirical psychology project, you can become a graduate member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). This is an essential step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.


All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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