Criminology and Psychology

BA Hons

  • UCAS code CL86
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 3 years

We welcome applications from the United States of America

We've put together information and resources to guide your application journey as a student from the United States of America.

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 6

    6th for Criminology

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025)

  • 12

    12th for Graduate Prospects (Criminology)

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2024)

  • Our graduates have successful careers in a wide range of sectors

We have outstanding league table rankings for Criminology and Psychology, and a great track record for graduate prospects. These are just two reasons to take a Criminology and Psychology degree at Lancaster University.

This innovative degree explores the relationship between crime and the human mind. Informed by the latest research and combining theory and practice, the degree offers you the opportunity to study both Criminology and Psychology in equal measure. Due to the flexible structure, you can continue on the joint major pathway or switch to a Psychology major (which includes British Psychological Society accreditation) at the end of your first year.

The degree is led and taught by the world-leading, research-active academics based in our prestigious Law School and Psychology Department. They will introduce you to key themes and topics in Criminology and Psychology, as well as helping you to engage with recent and influential research. The degree draws on the Departments’ expertise in forensic psychology, youth justice, decision-making, policing, prisons and punishment, sex work, hate crime, drugs and substance abuse, gender-based violence, climate change, welfare and media.

Your first year will introduce you to core criminological and psychological concepts and perspectives, including explanations for crime and offending behaviour and social psychology. During your second year you will explore a broad range of criminological theories and perspectives, consider how to ‘do’ criminological and psychological research and be able to choose a range of optional modules which explore various criminological and psychological controversies and issues. By year three, you will have the choice to study specialist subjects in depth from our range of optional modules. You will also be required to research a topic of your choice for a crime-based dissertation.

Masterclasses, expert seminars, volunteering and work placement opportunities will also enhance your knowledge, experience and practical skills. Assessment is varied, including coursework, presentations, exams, reflective accounts and dissertation.

80% of the Law School’s research was rated as internationally excellent or world leading in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014), and 75% in the Department of Psychology.

Employability Skills

You will benefit from our excellent connections with NGOs, charities, and local Criminal Justice Agencies such as Lancashire Police and HMP Lancashire Farm. You will be able to visit the prison and engage in collaborative learning, and analyse data from Lancashire Police. Our Psychology Employability Programme will help you to develop your skills for a career in Psychology. All of this is designed to enable you to gain experience, make professional connections and get a head start in your career.

Careers

We support you with a dedicated careers officer and through our links to professional bodies and organisations.

Your degree could open the door to a career within, and beyond, the criminal justice system. It could lead to jobs in areas such as HR, marketing, management and the public and private sectors, including: the police, probation service, prison service, social work, work with young people, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, voluntary sector bodies working with offenders, victims and their families, and welfare charities.

Your degree could also act as a launch pad to a Master's degree or PhD in areas such as criminology, criminal justice or social research methods.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability awareness, career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level AAB

GCSE Mathematics grade B or 6 (Applicants with a GCSE Maths C or 5 considered on a case-by-case basis)

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Optional

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,535 £27,260

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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