School of Education and Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology (Criminal Behaviour)

BSc (Hons) Part-time 6 years, Full-time 3 years

Explore the science behind criminal behaviour. This BPS-accredited BSc combines core psychology with forensic specialism, real placements and hands-on research skills for a career that makes a difference.

Explore the science behind criminal behaviour. This BPS-accredited BSc combines core psychology with forensic specialism, real placements and hands-on research skills for a career that makes a difference.

Award
BSc (Hons)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
C816
Course specifications
Course length
Part-time (6 years),Full-time (3 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

Ranked 14th for Psychology in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2027)

BSc (Hons) Psychology (Criminal Behaviour) is a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degree that combines the core science of psychology with specialist study of crime, criminal behaviour and the justice system.

Taught by staff with real-world experience in forensic, clinical, health and cyber psychology, you'll build a scientific understanding of the mind and behaviour, then apply it directly to the biological, cultural, environmental and social factors that shape criminal behaviour. You'll learn using the University's specialist facilities, and graduate with the accreditation and applied experience to move straight into further training or a psychology-related career.

What you can expect:

  • Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS with a 2:2 or above — your first step towards chartered psychologist status.
  • A Year Two placement opportunity in which you design a psychological intervention for a real organisation.
  • An independent research project in your final year, on a topic and using a method you choose.
  • Access to our cyberpsychology research laboratory, psychometric test library and mental health clinic, plus VR and eye-tracking equipment.
  • A diverse teaching team with expertise across health, forensic, clinical, developmental and cyber psychology.

The degree is accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS)

The British Psychological Society

 

What's unique about this course?

Many criminology and psychology degrees are not accredited by the British Psychological Society, meaning graduates need to complete an additional conversion course before pursuing chartered status. This course gives you both: full BPS accreditation and specialist criminal behaviour content built into every year of study.

What sets it apart:

  • Full BPS accreditation with specialist criminal behaviour content, rather than a stand-alone criminology degree.
  • A Year Two placement that puts you in front of a real organisation with a real brief, not a theoretical case study.
  • A dedicated cyberpsychology research laboratory alongside VR, eye-tracking and psychometric testing facilities.
  • A choice of final-year modules, so you can shape your degree around health, education or clinical psychology as well as crime.
  • A Research Opportunities Network, giving you the chance to work as a research assistant alongside academic staff.

What happens on the course?

Across three years full-time (six years part-time), you'll build the foundations of psychological science and then apply them specifically to crime, offending and the justice system.

Year One

You'll build strong foundations in the core areas of psychology and start to question how research and evidence are used — and sometimes misused — to explain crime and human behaviour.

Year Two

Theory moves into practice. Alongside advanced research methods, you'll complete a professional development placement, working with a real organisation to design a psychological intervention — building skills you can take directly into the workplace.

Year Three

You'll specialise. Alongside applied criminal psychology, you'll choose an optional module in health, developmental and educational, or clinical psychology, and complete an independent research project on a topic that matters to you, supervised by an experienced academic.

Throughout the course, you can expect:

  • small-group seminars, lectures, workshops and online activities, scaffolded to build your confidence year on year.
  • assessment unpacking sessions and one-to-one support before every submission.
  • gamified teaching activities and guided, ethical use of AI and digital tools.
  • training on specialist statistical software, survey platforms and lab equipment, including. eye-tracking and VR.
  • regular formative feedback, so you always know how you're progressing.

Placements on the course

In Year Two, you'll complete a professional development placement built into the Professional Development in Criminal Psychology module. Working with a real organisation, you'll design and develop a psychological intervention, applying what you've learned to a genuine, real-world challenge.

You'll be supported by our placement officer throughout, helping you translate psychological theory into practice, build professional competencies, and reflect on the ethical, organisational and client-based challenges you encounter. The experience strengthens your professional readiness and gives you real evidence to draw on when you apply for jobs or postgraduate study.

Employability on the course

This course is designed to open doors into professional psychology and beyond. Achieving a 2:2 or above gives you Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS — the essential first step towards further training and chartered status, whether your interest is forensic, clinical, educational, counselling, occupational or health psychology.

Recent graduates from our psychology courses have gone on to roles including:

  • the National Probation Service and HM Prison Service
  • the NHS, including assistant psychologist and psychological wellbeing practitioner roles
  • policing and law enforcement
  • social services and local government
  • research, human resources and business.

Throughout your degree, you'll build a portfolio of authentic assessments — including journal-style writing, presentations, posters and data analysis — aligned with the University's Graduate Attributes Framework. You'll also get career action planning, CV support and one-to-one guidance from our careers service and success coaches.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Professional psychology career routes

  • Counselling psychologists work in the field of mental health, weaving psychotherapy training together with evidence-based practice to address issues such as depression, trauma, and eating disorders.
  • Clinical psychologists work with cases of anxiety and depression but also with serious and enduring mental illness, neurological and developmental disorders, addictive behaviours, childhood behaviours, and family relationships.
  • Educational psychologists work in schools with students, with the local education authorities, schools, special education units, colleges and nurseries, and work with children who are experiencing social, emotional, or learning difficulties by providing assessments, counselling, and other interventions.
  • Occupational psychologists focus on human behaviour in the workplace, and work to increase aspects such as productivity, job satisfaction, and organisational effectiveness.
  • Health psychologists consider the many factors that can impact directly on our wellbeing, using their knowledge and skills to further understand wellbeing and to promote healthier lifestyles.
  • Forensic psychologists work in prisons, with law enforcement agencies, rehabilitation centres, law firms, and other government agencies. They carry out psychological assessments of prisoners, explore evidence for psychological disorders, and evaluate the mental health of defendants.

Professional routes require postgraduate study and supervised practice to reach chartered status with the British Psychological Society, and/or registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. Please talk to us to plan your career, or visit: careers.bps.org.uk

A degree in psychology opens many career routes. Graduates have gone on to work in a range of work domains, including:

  • Commercial companies (analyst, statistician, public relations)
  • Charities (engagement worker, fundraiser, project leader, grant writer, PR)
  • Advertising, Press and Media financial organisations (insurance, banking, statistician)
  • Human resources (recruitment company, HR manager, careers consultant, coach)
  • Office management (supporting staff, leading teams)
  • Local and national government the legal sector (e.g. legal researcher)
  • The NHS (creative therapies, mental health support work, speech and language therapy, management training programmes)
  • Security services (intelligence officer with MI5, customs officer, police forces
  • National Probation Service
  • HM Prison Service
  • Schools, sixth form colleges and colleges of further education
  • Social services.

By choosing a BPS-accredited degree with us, you are ensuring doors are open to you to match your aspirations. 

Graduate destinations

  • The National Health Service as psychology assistants, psychological wellbeing practitioners, and data analysts.
  • HM Prison Service, working in prisons, alongside Chartered & HCPC Registered psychologists providing training, support, and assessment.
  • NHS Children & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
  • The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • The British Psychological Society (BPS)
  • Social services
  • Facebook
  • Google

Upon graduating from this course, you could progress onto one of our Masters or Doctorate courses, and take your studies to an advanced practitioner level.  There are also many career options for graduates entering the workforce. 

 

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

You'll study at our City Campus, as part of the School of Education and Psychology, in a University community made up of students and staff from more than 120 countries. Our teaching is research-informed: academic staff publish in leading journals and work to make a genuine difference to people's lives, and you'll learn from a team with real-world experience across health, counselling, forensic and cyber psychology.

You'll be supported at every stage — from an extended induction in Year One, through personal tutoring and a digital booking system for one-to-one appointments, to dedicated wellbeing and accessibility support from our Student Life team. Wherever you're starting from, we'll help you build the confidence and skills to thrive.

By the end of this course, you'll have developed the knowledge, skills and professional qualities of a psychology graduate with a specialism in criminal behaviour. You'll be able to:

  • explain the key theories, concepts and research methods across the core areas of psychology
  • design, conduct, analyse and report psychological research, including your own independent project
  • apply psychological theory ethically to real-world criminal justice and organisational contexts
  • communicate complex ideas clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • recognise diversity and work compassionately and respectfully with others
  • use digital tools, including AI, ethically and critically in your practice.

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Year
Home Full-time £9790 per year 2026-27
Home Part-time £4895 per year# 2026-27
International Full-time £17600 per year 2026-27

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

Typical entry requirement: 96 UCAS points

  • A Levels grades CCC
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma- grades MMM
  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma - grades DD
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (96 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)
  • T Levels with an overall grade of Pass and a minimum grade of C in Core.

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

"During my time I felt all the staff genuinely wanted me to do well and were more than happy to invest their time and effort in achieving this. They were always extremely helpful and understanding, not to mention patient." 
Mel West

"Following graduation from an undergraduate psychology degree, I acquired the position of trainee practitioner with the National Autistic Society. Currently I am in the process of applying for a postgraduate course in clinical psychology. Although competition is high, with my education and experience I am hopeful that I will secure a placement."  
Yukyee Chang

"There are many great aspects to studying at the University of Wolverhampton. For me, it meant that I could live locally, using the free shuttle bus between the campuses. The on-site facilities were very good too, giving me easy access to computers, books, and journal articles."

Kirsty Lee

"I can’t thank you all at the University enough for providing me with the healing that comes from gaining an education in a supportive environment. I continue to grow and hold my head high now!"

Gail

"Being at the University of Wolverhampton has literally changed my life. It helped me to realise my intelligence, skills, gifts and talents. It helped me realise my potential and gain my identity. It has helped me understand my own mental health, have better reflection, and respect the world in a whole different way. I'm not here really to declare a sob story, but just to share a little about how you have changed my life through your care, compassion, and empathy as a department. I sincerely mean it from my heart. Thank you for always believing in me."

Fiona

British Psychological Society (BPS)

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

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