On this new degree, you’ll delve into the mindset of why offenders commit crime, the consequences of their actions, and explore how rehabilitation can help. By studying these complementary subjects, you’ll lay a foundation for a successful career as a criminal justice professional, in clinical roles in offender management and rehabilitation, or supporting victims of crime.
This interdisciplinary course offers you the opportunity to develop a critical perspective on contemporary problems relating to crime, deviance and social control, while also giving you the chance to study the scientific evidence of behaviour, mental health and neuropsychological functioning.
This is combined with an emphasis on those research skills necessary to conduct and evaluate research in these areas.
This course builds on the strengths of our existing programmes in Criminology (6th in the Guardian University Guide 2024) and Psychology (top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey*).
Criminology is ranked 6th in the Guardian University Guide 2024
Top 10 in the UK
Psychology is ranked top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey*
90.4% satisfaction
90.4% of our criminology students are satisfied with their course in the 2023 National Student Survey**
*Measured by % positivity based on Q1-24 for all providers listed in the Guardian University Guide league tables
**Measured by % positivity based on Q1-24, National Student Survey 2023
What you will study
Course content is evenly split between criminology and psychology modules to give you a solid foundation in both disciplines.
Criminology modules will focus on the study of crime, deviance and the criminal justice system, including the cause and effect of criminal actions, policing and regulation of public order, the relationship between behaviours and punishments.
The psychology modules will provide psychological literacy in the core areas of psychology including developmental, cognitive, biological and social psychology, and psychopathology. You will also complete modules that support your research skills and your professional skills development and job preparation.
Through combining teaching in core areas of criminology and psychology with training in professional social research, you’ll graduate with a broad range of communication, analytical and organisational skills – and the confidence to apply them in your future career.
As you progress through your studies, you will be able to select from a range of optional modules to specialise and delve deeper into your areas of interest both in criminology and psychology.
Facilities
Facilities in the Department of Sociology offer modern teaching spaces that include a recently expanded and fully networked computer laboratory and fully refurbished student common room.
Facilities in the School of Psychology will give you access to the latest research equipment, including a six-room virtual reality suite to simulate real-life scenarios and two observation labs to see infant and social interactions.
You will also have access to a fully functional mock criminal court which has interactive and digital facilities.
The course also makes increasing use of online resources, including videos, podcasts, web-based audience response systems and student discussion forums.
With our newly refurbished facilities you will be able to conduct experiments using a range of psychological methods such as electroencephalography (EEG), eye-tracking and physiological monitoring.
You’ll also have access to an extensive library of psychometric and clinical tests. In addition, you’ll have access to 20 bookable project rooms, a breakout space, equipment lockers and a computer lab.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: Thefull module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course is available in the relevant programme specification.
This programme is subject to validationPlease note: this course is subject to validation. The full validated list of modules will appear once the course has been validated.What does this mean?
Teaching and learning
At Surrey, we emphasise the development of your practical and analytical skills in addressing contemporary criminological and psychological issues.
You’ll benefit from a range of teaching methods, including small group tutorials, projects and workshops, as well as lectures, classes and laboratory work. We find that our students learn effectively in this environment, and projects will contribute to the development of your personal skills in leadership, effective communication and analytic ability.
In your first- and second-year tutorials, we’ll introduce you to core research methods and techniques, and help you develop your academic and subject specific skills. You will engage in activities such as searching for and critically evaluating research, writing essays and research reports, presenting, and working collaboratively.
In your workshops, you’ll investigate key statistical and qualitative methods for analysing research data.
Our excellent facilities – including a dedicated networked computer suite – are available to aid your studies.
Group work
Independent study
Laboratory work
Lectures
Online learning
Project work
Seminars
Tutorials
Workshops
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week. In later semesters, two weeks before the start of semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled on one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Studying criminology and psychology will provide you with a broad social science basis and wide range of analytical and communication skills that are attractive to employers.
Our course gives you the knowledge and analytical skills you need to embark one a professional career in criminal justice, the public sector, forensic science, business, education, health and medicine, social work or counselling. Thanks to the combined nature of the course, you will have the foundations to pursue roles such as clinical psychologist, human resources specialist, rehabilitation assistant, social therapist or wellbeing practitioner.
One of the benefits of a degree in criminology and psychology is flexibility in the job market. Some of the roles our recent graduates have gone on to work in include:
Police Officer, British Transport Police
Clinical psychologist, Broadmoor Hospital
Training Assistant, Citizens Advice Bureau
Human resources specialist, GlaxoSmithKline
Assistant Psychologist, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Consultant, Hays PLC
Safer Custody Co-ordinator, HMP Maidstone
Research Officer, HM Inspectorate of Prisons
Market researcher, Ipsos MORI
Police Constable, Metropolitan Police
Case Manager, Ministry of Justice
Trainee Probation Officer, National Probation Service
Occupational therapist, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Social therapist, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Wellbeing practitioner, Turning Point
Rehabilitation assistant, West London NHS Trust
Crime analyst, West Mercia Police.
Our course provides you with the strong research skills needed for positions in the criminal justice system, business, social service and government. It’s also a first step for future graduate work in either criminology or psychology, in order to become a researcher or academic.
About a quarter of undergraduate students in the Department of Sociology go on to postgraduate study. On successful completion of this course, you might want to progress to one of our masters courses, either in the Department of Sociology or the School of Psychology.
Learn more about the qualifications we typically accept to study this course at Surrey.
Typical offer
BSc (Hons):
AAB
A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C). Applicants who attain grade 5 (B) will be preferred, although not required.
BSc (Hons):
DDD
GCSE or equivalent: English language and mathematics at grade 4 (C). Applicants who attain grade 5 (B) will be preferred, although not required.
BSc (Hons):
34
GCSE or equivalent: English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6 and Mathematics (either course) HL4/SL4.
BSc (Hons):
82%
GCSE or equivalent: English Language (1/2) 6 or English Language (3) 7 and Mathematics 6.
BSc (Hons):
QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 39 at Distinction and 6 at Merit.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C). Applicants who attain grade 5 (B) will be preferred, although not required.
BSc (Hons):
AAABB
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade C (Scottish National 5).
BSc (Hons):
Pass overall including AAB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Challenge and two A-levels.
A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C). Applicants who attain grade 5 (B) will be preferred, although not required.
Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer for this programme, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.
Applicants can only receive one grade reduction from the published grades, an EPQ grade reduction can’t be applied in addition to other grade reductions made through other schemes such as Contextual Admissions or In2Surrey.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Foundation Year
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements for this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
If you are a suitable candidate you will be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all undergraduate courses.
The annual tuition fees for courses starting in September 2025
Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule.
Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices. Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis, cannot pay fees by instalment.
Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
Professional training placement fees
If you are studying on a programme which contains a Professional Training placement year there will be a reduced fee for the academic year in which you undertake your placement. This is normally confirmed 12 to 18 months in advance, or once Government policy is determined.
We have thousands of placement providers to choose from, most of which offer pay. So, become one of our many students who have had their lives and career choices transformed.
On our four-year BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology course, you’ll enhance your knowledge by taking a Professional Training placement during the third year.
This provides you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained during your first two years of study in a work environment, while receiving training and carrying out responsible work.
As a result of the placement, we find that our students return to their final year significantly more confident, mature and organised, and with clearer career aspirations.
The process of preparing and applying for placement positions also significantly enhances job-seeking skills, which come into play in the final year and beyond when applying for graduate employment. After graduation, some students take up permanent posts with their professional placement employer.
We make every effort to identify possible placement opportunities according to your interests, career plans and location preferences.
While you are expected to find your own placement, support is available internally in the Department of Sociology and School of Psychology as well as through our careers service. Some of our placements are paid, usually in the region of £12,000-15,000 a year. If you work on an unpaid placement, you can claim extra financial support and may also work for a reduced amount of time.
Companies and organisations that have participated in the scheme include:
Broadmoor Hospital
Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birbeck University of London
Citizens Advice Bureau
HM Inspectorate of Prisons
HM Prison High Down
Home Office
Metropolitan Police Service
Ministry of Justice
National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy
National Crime Agency
Social Communication Disorders Clinic, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Surrey County Council
Surrey Youth Support Service
Volkswagen
Wellbeing Service, Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University. But we offer support and guidance throughout the process, with access to a vacancy site of placement opportunities.
We have thousands of placement providers to choose from, most of which offer pay. So, become one of our many students who have had their lives and career choices transformed.
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University. But we offer support and guidance throughout the process, with access to a vacancy site of placement opportunities.
Find out how students at Surrey developed their skills in industry by undertaking a placement year.
Student
"My placement was an inspiring, unforgettable experience which has made me want to push myself as much as possible during my studies, after seeing how important work in psychology can be."
Studying at Surrey opens a world of opportunity. Take advantage of our study and work abroad partnerships, explore the world, and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
The opportunities abroad vary depending on the course, but options include study exchanges, work/research placements, summer programmes, and recent graduate internships. Financial support is available through various grants and bursaries, as well as Student Finance.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With 140+ opportunities in 36+ different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone.
Studying at Surrey opens a world of opportunity. Take advantage of our study and work abroad partnerships, explore the world, and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
The opportunities abroad vary depending on the course, but options include study exchanges, work/research placements, summer programmes, and recent graduate internships. Financial support is available through various grants and bursaries, as well as Student Finance.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With 140+ opportunities in 36+ different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone.
Partner institutions
You have the choice between working at an overseas organisation or studying at one of our partner universities, including:
La Trobe University, Australia
Monash University, Australia
University of Queensland, Australia
Brock University, Canada
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Seoul National University, South Korea
George Mason University, US
Maryland University, College Park, US
North Carolina State University, US
University of Central Florida, US
University of Cincinnati, US
University of North Carolina, Wilmington, US
Virginia Commonwealth University, US.
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
First when we make an offer.
Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Subject to validation
This programme is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.
These processes are a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions within the UK, to ensure that programmes are of the highest standard. Occasionally there may be instances where the University may delay or not approve the introduction of the programme.
