Criminology and Psychology

BA Hons

  • UCAS code CL86
  • Entry year 2026 or 2025
  • A level requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 3 years
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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)

  • 9

    9th for Student satisfaction for Criminology

    The Complete University Guide (2025)

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

Are you fascinated by the complexities of human behaviour and the intricacies of what leads to criminal behaviour? Do you want to explore the relationship between crime and the human mind? Informed by the latest research and combining theory and practice, this degree offers you the opportunity to study both Criminology and Psychology – with a particular focus on the psychology of crime and criminals.

See the world differently by looking at criminality from multiple perspectives, and gain a holistic understanding of crime and criminals, victims and justice.

Why Lancaster?

  • Critically explore crime, social behaviour and the criminal mind: A thought-provoking degree that examines the psychology and social impact of crime and criminals
  • Examine today’s challenges on topics such as social control, interviewing and deception, social and antisocial behaviour, crime and power, sex offences, and human rights violations
  • Exceptional academic support: Work closely with engaged lecturers who value your ideas and are committed to helping you grow as a criminologist and psychologist
  • Build connections: Network with experts from NGOs, charities, law enforcement, psychological services, and other criminal justice organisations
  • Unlock your career potential: Access tailored career advice to discover diverse pathways and practical steps you can take to achieve your goals for a rewarding career in the criminal justice system, the public sector, and beyond

Exploring crime and the human mind

On the Criminology and Psychology course at Lancaster you will learn about core criminological and psychological concepts, perspectives and methods, including explanations for crime and offending behaviour and social psychology. You will consider how to carry out criminological and psychological research and bring together these disciplines to explore their synergies.

Our team of world leading experts will introduce you to key themes and topics in Criminology and Psychology and bring you up to date with the latest research. Topics might include:

  • Forensic and investigative psychology
  • Theorising crime and deviance
  • Policing and the criminal justice system
  • Organised crime and cybercrime
  • Developmental and social psychology
  • Youth justice
  • Crime and power

Engage with experts

Our course is grounded in contemporary debates and developments, and you will be taught by our internationally renowned Criminology team who influence national and international policy and practice. Our academics advise the United Nations and the EU, advise on drug policies in the UK and overseas and work with national and local criminal justice agencies. You will be informed by the very latest policy and practice transformations.

Our Psychology team are also leaders in their fields, and you will benefit from their insight, expertise and cutting-edge work. Their research spans the breadth of a varied and fast-moving science including pioneering research on developmental, forensic, and social psychology.

You will also gain insights directly from visiting speakers. Previously students have listened to talks from Victim Support, a Restorative Justice coordinator from Lancashire Constabulary, a Detective Inspector working in domestic abuse and a 'professional burglar' who turned his life around and now advocates for crime prevention and community support.

You’ll be inspired by our research and our passionate commitment to our subject areas. Together we will untangle the complex relationship between social psychology, crime, and the criminal justice system.

Great student experience

At Lancaster we pride ourselves on providing the best student experience and support. It is at university that you will build up not only your professional networks, but equally important your confidence, and your social group.

For example, you can join both the Criminology Society and the Psychology Society and take part in a wide variety of events, ranging from academic and career-informed activities that complement existing criminological knowledge, to fun and social nights designed to help foster a strong sense of community.

We also provide regular extra-curricular events under Psychology’s “Belong, Engage, Employ” programme, helping you to develop and communicate your skills in psychology and beyond, and linking you with alumni from our degree. The supportive and personalised experience we offer is designed to make your time with us memorable, enjoyable and successful.

A police officer from Lancaster Constabulary

Build networks: make connections

Employers value experience and creating new connections is vital to your future.  We’ll introduce you to professionals at NGOs and charities, as well as local criminal justice agencies such as Lancashire Constabulary, the Police Federation for England and Wales, Police Scotland, HMP Lancaster Farms, HMP Thorn Cross, prison education providers Novus, and Probation and Youth Justice.   The Psychology Employability Programme allows you to undertake an exciting placement either within a local organisation or at the University as a research assistant to build up your employability skill sets. 

We’ll also help you access a variety of placement and volunteering opportunities. Recent students have undertaken roles within West Mercia Police, HMP Lancaster Farms, Partners of Prisoners (POPS) and Family Support, Red Rose Recovery, Global Telemetrics (Security Liaison) and Enterprise.

A rich history of crime and punishment

Lancaster is a city that has criminal justice at its heart. From the medieval period to contemporary times, the Castle in Lancaster has served as an assizes court, crown court and a fully functioning prison. From the infamous 1612 trial and execution of the ten people accused of witchcraft to the more recent exoneration of accused terrorists the ‘Birmingham Six’, Lancaster Castle has been the site of both persecution and justice.  Past or present, this is not dramatised or romantic crime. This is real life: brutal, saddening, enraging, uncomfortable, but fascinating.

Criminology at Lancaster has a long and distinguished history informed by this past but looking strongly to the future of crime and punishment in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Old cell doors at Lancaster Castle

Careers

With rising interest in criminal behaviour, mental health, public policy, and social justice, our Criminology and Psychology degree creates opportunities to work in a wide array of exciting and impactful careers. You’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills you need for a career in the criminal justice system and beyond.

One of the best aspects of the interdisciplinarity of the subjects is the broad range of career options it provides. From policy, government and criminal justice agencies to charities and corporations, potential employers will not only value your knowledge of crime and criminal justice in a range of contexts, but also your ability to think critically, carry out research and analyse data. Speaking in public, writing coherently, planning projects, developing arguments, creative decision making, independent working, and working effectively in a team are all skills that you will develop in this programme and that you can add to your CV.

Throughout your time with us our specialist careers advisors will work with you and help you plan your future. We’ll discuss different career options for you and explain how to access professional bodies and criminal justice organisations.

Understanding society and how humans think and behave is a strong foundation for a range of careers. Your degree will prepare you for roles with criminal justice agencies (the Police, Prison Service, the National Probation Service), the Home Office, the Department for Health, Social Services, charities and the Youth Offending Service.

Our graduates have gone on to roles with:

  • Criminal justice agencies (the police force, HM Prison Service, the National Probation Service, GSL UK)
  • The Home Office and Ministry of Justice
  • NHS trusts
  • The Department for Health and Social Care
  • Local Government
  • Charities
  • Youth offending services
  • Legal and Consulting firms
  • Banks and financial institutions

Eager to continue learning? Some students continue their studies with our postgraduate courses in criminology, criminal justice, sociology and social research. Our academics are knowledgeable in helping you find postgraduate study that gets you where you want to go, at Lancaster and beyond.

Careers and employability support

Our degrees open up an extremely wide array of career pathways in businesses and organisations, large and small, in the UK and overseas.

We run a paid internship scheme specifically for our arts, humanities and social sciences students, supported by a specialist Employability Team. The team offer individual consultations and tailored application guidance, as well as careers events, development opportunities, and resources

Whether you have a clear idea of your potential career path or need some help considering the options, our friendly team is on hand.

Find out more about Lancaster’s careers events, extensive resources and personal support for Careers and Employability.

Careers

Find out about some of the careers our alumni have entered into after graduation.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. You may need to have qualifications in relevant subjects. In some cases we may also ask you to attend an interview or submit a portfolio. You must also meet our English language requirements.

Find more about these qualifications and others not shown here

Learn about how we will assess your application

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Contact Admissions

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, please complete our enquiry form and one of our team will get back to you.

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

Enhancing our curriculum

We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future.

We will publish more detailed information about the structure of this degree course for 2026-entry in June 2025, ahead of our summer undergraduate open days. This will include overviews of the core modules you will take and examples of optional modules which may be available to you.

Fees and funding

We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set.

As a guide, our fees in 2025/26 were:

Home International
£9,535 £27,260

Fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

Details of our scholarships and bursaries for students starting in 2026 are not yet available.

You can use our scholarships for 2025-entry applicants as guidance.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2026/2027 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.

Undergraduate open days 2025

Our summer and autumn open days will give you Lancaster University in a day. Visit campus and put yourself in the picture.

Undergraduate Open Days
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