Why study Criminology and Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Teaching quality, assessment and feedback processes officially reported as outstanding
- Recent increase in demand for criminal psychologists in prison programmes and offender management
- Contemporary research informed teaching
- Good links with employers and agencies can lead to good opportunities for work placements
- Eligibility for membership of the British Psychological Society on graduation
About your course
The professionally accredited BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University is informed by ongoing research and extensive links with practitioners. So you can be confident that your studies will be at the forefront of developments in this fascinating field.
The public and political controversies surrounding crime and criminal justice processes in the UK form an important and ongoing context for study. LJMU's BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology degree takes you on a critical exploration of relevant issues, controversies and current debates in the field.
Psychology is more concerned with developing a quantitative and qualitative understanding of the individual and what makes them tick, whereas criminologists examine society's responses to crime and justice in the context of everyday life. This means you will graduate with an understanding of how crime occurs, who commits it, how it is measured and how criminal justice impacts on the lives of different social groups.
"Both sides of the degree complement each other greatly, adding that bit extra to your Honours degree."
Professional accreditation/links
This course is recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which means that you will be eligible to join the Society on graduation. Membership of the BPS is recognition of your professional status and reflects your aspiration to represent the highest possible professional standards, so it will make a valuable addition to your CV and enable access to a range of postgraduate options.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- Library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to programme-appropriate software
- Library and student IT support
- Free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
Employability
This BSc degree in Criminology and Psychology opens up a varied and exciting range of career opportunities.
The range of careers open to you once you graduate include:
- probation work
- youth justice
- drug referral schemes
- victim support
- police and prison services
- legal professions
- local government
- social work
- postgraduate study and research
Some graduates have even used their degree to secure a career in the media research, teaching and charity work. It is likely that you will encounter some of our graduates as guest lecturers during your own studies.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
A life-changing experience
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What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules may also be included to provide you with an element of choice within the programme. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Level 4
Core modules
An Introduction to Criminological Theory
20 credits
Inside the Criminal Justice System
20 credits
Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 1: Relationships and Associations
10 credits
This module will introduce the tools needed for carrying out a literature search. It will provide you with a practical introduction on how to design an experiment, collect data in an ethical manner, perform statistical analysis and write up findings in a manner consistent with published material.
Introduction to Developmental Psychology and Individual Differences
20 credits
The aim of this module is to present a range of topics in developmental psychology and individual differences research. You will be introduced to methods applied to understanding key issues in developmental psychology and individual differences research to enable you to consult and summarise appropriate sources to explain key issues.
Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 2: Testing for Differences
10 credits
This module will introduce the tools needed for carrying out a literature search. It will provide you with a practical introduction on how to design an experiment, collect data in an ethical manner, perform statistical analysis and write up findings in a manner consistent with published material. Building on from Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 1: Relationships and Associations, you will learn more complex statistical tests.
Criminology and Psychology Into Action
20 credits
Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology
20 credits
This module introduces you to biological and cognitive psychology. You will examine fundamental issues in cognitive psychology and will consider theoretical models of memory, as well as examining attention and perception. You will introduced to fundamental issues in biological psychology.
Level 5
Core modules
Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 4: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
20 credits
This module enables you to examine the use of advanced tests of differences and relationships in psychological research. You will develop an understanding of factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), simple regression and multiple regression.
Cognitive and Biological Psychology
20 credits
This module covers key topics in the area of cognitive and biological psychology. This module builds on the biological and cognitive psychology materials introduced in level 4. You will explore current research relating to biological underpinnings that account for commonalities and individual differences in vision, touch, sleep, motivation, learning and consciousness.
Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, and Individual Differences
20 credits
In this module you will explore psychological development through the life span, covering key areas of development such as cognitive development, identity development and developmental disorders. The module will cover key concepts from individual differences research: intelligence, gender commonalities and differences, and personality and subjective wellbeing. You will also gain an understanding of social psychological concepts such as interpersonal relationships, group processes and intergroup relations.
Key Thinkers for Criminology
20 credits
Qualitative Research Methods
20 credits
Optional modules
Study Year Abroad - Criminology
120 credits
The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.
Criminology into Practice
20 credits
Contemporary Perspectives in Criminology
20 credits
Crimes and Harms of the Powerful
20 credits
Social Divisions and Social Justice
20 credits
Level 6
Core modules
Psychology Dissertation
40 credits
This module aims to allow you to develop and independently apply your empirical research skills in your chosen area of psychology. You will explore in depth, recent and relevant literature in your chosen field and use it to guide the design of a methodologically appropriate study to address a specific research question.
Optional modules
Forensic and Investigative Psychology
20 credits
This module aims to allow you to critically evaluate and apply psychological theories and knowledge in relation to real-world forensic problems. You will work in cross-disciplinary groups to critically explore and evaluate a range of potential solutions to real-world problems.
Health Psychology
20 credits
This module will explore psychological theory, as it relates to public health care. It will also examine some of the major threats to public health, including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. You will explore in-depth the major concepts and research methods used in the field of health psychology.
Cognitive Neuroscience
20 credits
Cognitive Neuroscience addresses the question how the brain enables human cognition and behaviour by employing a variety of different methodologies. The module will examine how methodologies as for example lesion studies, functional brain imaging, electrophysiological studies and behavioural experiments contribute to our understanding of a variety of cognitive functions such as memory, attention and perception.
Green Criminology – Crimes and Harms to the Global Environment
20 credits
Positive Psychology
20 credits
The aim of this module is to explore in-depth the major concepts and research methods used in the field of positive psychology. You learn in-depth discussions of the psychology science associated with human strengths, flourishing and positive emotions. You will also explore the position of Positive Psychology in relation to other branches of Psychology.
Psychology in Education
20 credits
This module will be of interest if you are considering a career in teaching or Educational Psychology. Factors affecting individual differences in children's academic performance will be explored with a particular emphasis on cognitive factors. In considering educational interventions you will learn about the ethics of research into interventions. You will think critically about the selection of interventions for specific learning difficulties based on research evidence and develop psychological literacy that would be relevant for a career in education.
International Fieldwork in Criminology
20 credits
Psychopharmacology and Addictive Behaviour
10 credits
This module will introduce you to popular drugs of abuse, their mechanisms of action and their effects. You will learn how the effects of drugs can be harmful and are related to many factors including purity, dose and route of administration.
Police, Power and Social Order
20 credits
Face Perception: Processes and Disorders
10 credits
The aim of this module is to introduce you to theory and research relating to the processes of attending to, categorising and recognising human faces. You will also be able to examine the forensic applications of research in face perception.
Social Cognition
10 credits
The aim of this module is to introduce you to theory and research concerning social cognition and to analyse and evaluate key models and theories within the field of social cognition. You will also be able to explore contemporary applied issues in social cognition.
Children and Young People 'at Risk'
20 credits
Work Psychology
10 credits
The module is designed to provide a clear introduction to work psychology by covering contemporary research material to enable students to develop a critical understanding of some of the key themes in work psychology.
Power, Politics, and Human Rights
20 credits
Psychology of Sexual Violence
10 credits
This module aims to provide criminal justice practitioners of the future a basic understanding of sexual violence and sexual offenders, providing you with an understanding of the different types of sexual violence and an understanding of the psychological theories and motivational explanations which underpin our current understanding of why offenders commit such offences.
Child and Youth Justice
20 credits
Security, Terrorism, and War
20 credits
Understanding and Challenging Inequalities and Stigma
20 credits
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
Teaching is delivered via a combination of lectures, workshops, seminars, online activities and one-to-one consultations with your tutors. You will also be expected to study independently and conduct your own self-directed research.
You will have access to our extensive collection of books and journals, many of which are available electronically in order to allow independent learning at a convenient time and place. These collections are regularly updated by academic staff, supported by our subject specialist librarians. Our libraries also contain spaces for group and individual study for those who prefer to learn 'on campus'. We also have access to a wealth of relevant databases, which you will be taught how to use as part of your degree programme. These resources allow students to carry out their own research, for example by helping locate relevant official publications or newspaper articles. We also use them as part of lectures and workshops.
Work-related Learning
Alongside your academic studies, you will gain range of transferable skills in analysis and interpretation, presentation, teamwork, initiative and research.
For example, the Dissertation module requires you to:
- identify an appropriate topic
- develop a programme of study
- present a clear, coherent and robust piece of written work
While the International Fieldwork module provides students with a unique opportunity to develop and improve these transferable skills within an international context.
Support and guidance
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
It is often useful to discuss course-related issues on a one-to-one basis and for this reason we will assign you a personal tutor for the duration of your studies at LJMU. Your tutor will also help you put together your personal development plan so that you can monitor progress and set your own targets. Module tutors will provide support in the form of online learning materials, course guides and one-to-one consultations if you need them, and there will be study skills sessions to help you prepare for assessments.
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
We understand that all students have different strengths and preferences when it comes to assessments, so we use a variety of methods to assess your work, including essays, exams, fieldwork projects, reports, case studies, portfolios, online blogs and wikis, work-place practice, posters, presentations (individual and group), debates, reviews and group work. You will normally receive extensive written feedback on your assessments and regular verbal feedback.
All feedback is designed to help you achieve your full potential and get the most out of your studies, so staff will be available to discuss it with you and direct you to further support if you feel you need it.
Your marks and feedback will be available within 15 working days of submitting a piece of work. That's because we believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to develop further.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Dr Stephen Wakeman
Programme leader
Dr Stephen Wakeman
Programme leader
Janet is Subject Leader for Criminology and manages the BA (Hons) Criminology and the and BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology undergraduate degree programmes. She joined LJMU in September 2007 as a Senior Lecturer having previously taught Criminology at Lancaster University and held Research Fellowships within the Young Justice Research Centre at the University of Liverpool and the Social Work Research Centre at the University of Stirling.
We ensure teaching is informed by contemporary research, while maintaining excellent links with employers and agencies which can lead to good opportunities for student work placements
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
Based within the John Foster Building, in the Mount Pleasant Campus, the School of Justice Studies is a leading provider of education in Policing Studies, Criminology and Criminal Justice. We provide specific training for policing students wishing to enter the service as a graduate recruit. The John Foster Building has many outstanding facilities, including well-equipped IT Suites, a light-filled Student Common Room and dedicated study areas. At the back of the John Foster Building is the Aldham Robarts Library, where you can access an exceptional range of materials to support your studies.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Minimum points required from qualifications: 112
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:
- Key Skills Level 2 in English/ Maths
- NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
- Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
- Higher Diploma in Maths/ English
- Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/ English
- Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
- Welsh GCSE in Maths or Numeracy
- Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
A levels
- Minimum number of A Levels required: 2
- Subject specific requirements: Preferably including a Humanities and Social Science subject. Grade C in A' Level Psychology, if being studied.
- Is general studies acceptable? Yes
- Average A Level offer: BBC
- Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- Maximum AS Level points accepted: 20
BTECs
- National Certificate (RQF): Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- National Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- National Diploma subjects / grades required: D*D* in a relevant subject if studied on its own or to the total of 112 UCAS points if combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Diploma subjects / grades required: DMM in a relevant subject area is required if no other level 3 qualifications are taken
Access awards
- Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Further information: At least 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits, or any other combination that equates to 112 UCAS Tariff points in a relevant subject
International Baccalaureate
- International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Additional information: 112 UCAS Tariff points from IB Composite parts, or in combination with other Level 3 qualifications (to include a Humanities and Social Science subject.
Irish awards
- Irish Leaving Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Grades / subjects required: 112 UCAS Tariff points with a maximum 20 UCAS Tariff points from Ordinary Level to include a Humanities and Social Science subject
Welsh awards
- Welsh Baccalaureate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
T levels
- T Level requirements:
112 UCAS from a relevant subject
NVQ
- Are Level 3 NVQs acceptable? Acceptable when combined with other qualifications
Alternative qualifications considered
Applications are welcomed from mature and non-standard applicants, who will be considered on an individual basis. These applicants may be required to submit an essay and/or attend an interview, and should demonstrate potential and motivation and/or have relevant experience.
International applications will be considered in line with UK qualifications.
Additional requirements
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Interview required
Mature and non-standard applicants may be invited to attend interview
International requirements
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IELTS
6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English language proficiency test.
Further information
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Reduced offer scheme
As part of LJMU’s commitment to widening access we offer eligible students entry to their chosen course at a reduced threshold of up to 16/8 UCAS points. This applies if you are a student who has been in local authority care or if you have participated in one of LJMU’s sustained outreach initiatives, e.g. Summer University. Please contact the admission office for further details.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
The following criteria are desirable but not essential. We will use them to rank applications.
Please demonstrate your development of these attributes in the personal statement included in your application:
- Good written and verbal communication skills, as you will be expected to convey knowledge to other people
- Good analytical skills, so that you can evaluate policies and practice
- Good reading and information retrieval skills - obtaining information from a range of sources and using it to support analysis
- An interest in social life and the issues and challenges it presents
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.