Course information
Typical offer BBB
UCAS code CF84
Institute code L34
Taught by School of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy
15th in the UK for Criminology (The Times UK University Rankings 2026)
16th in the UK for Criminology (The Guardian University Guide 2026)
Course description
Course description
We are one of only a few universities offering this distinctive subject combination, giving you the opportunity to explore these complex issues in depth by integrating criminological theory with specialist insights from forensic psychology. This unique approach equips you with in-demand expertise to understand offending behaviour from both criminal justice and psychological perspectives.
Criminology at Leicester is ranked 15th in the UK (The Times UK University Rankings 2026), reflecting the strength of our teaching and research. Our lecturers bring extensive real-world expertise that shapes forensic psychology, policy, and practice on a global scale. You will be taught by professionals with frontline experience across the criminal justice system, including crime scene investigators within police services, forensic psychologists, HM Prison and Probation Service practitioners, and specialists working in forensic psychiatric hospitals.
This real-world expertise is further enriched by our world-leading research, which includes developing a pioneering kit enabling survivors of sexual violence to self-collect DNA evidence in low-resource environments, using forensic science to address sexual violence in humanitarian contexts, and advancing understanding of serial offenders’ crime scene behaviour to support more effective detection and prosecution.
This combination of professional practice and cutting-edge research underpins everything we teach, ensuring your learning is both relevant and impactful.
We take a comprehensive, 360 degree approach to criminology and forensic psychology, offering a breadth of study that sets us apart from other courses. You’ll explore specialist core foundations including:
- Introduction to Forensic Science
- Investigative Psychology
- Forensic Psychology in the Courtroom
- Using Psychology in Secure Settings
- Criminal Justice and Mental Disorder
alongside optional modules that include:
- Forensic Science and Criminal Justice
- Violence
- Hate Crime
- Gender and Crime
This 360 degree approach, combining core foundations with emerging and specialist areas, ensures that you graduate with a comprehensive understanding of crime and forensic psychology in all its forms.
You’ll also benefit from access to our specialist, purpose-built Crime Scene Room. Designed to simulate realistic investigative environments, it provides valuable hands-on experience that brings theory to life. Step into the role of an investigator and apply your knowledge in practical, real-world scenarios, developing the skills essential for professional practice.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: BBB. All subjects accepted. Two AS-levels may be considered in place of one A-level.
- EPQ with A-levels: BBC + EPQ at grade B.
- GCSE: English at grade 4/C.
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 credits at Distinction.
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 28 points overall. Must include grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if minimum of grade 4/C not held in English Language at GCSE.
- BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma at DDM.
- T Levels: Merit or above. Humanities subjects preferred.
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
Second Year Entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.
Foundation Year available
If you don’t quite meet the above entry requirements, why not consider our Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities Foundation Year?
Flexible entry requirements
We welcome applications from motivated students whose predicted grades are slightly below our standard entry requirements. We understand that predicted grades are not always an accurate reflection of your final results, and we’re happy to consider your application. Although we can’t guarantee an offer due to the high volume of applications, if you’re eligible, we may still offer you a place based on our standard requirements.
Contextual offers
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Selection process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries ListFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2026
- £9,790 in your first year.
- For the 2027/28 academic year, the Home UK tuition fee is expected to be £10,050. Further increases are anticipated to be implemented automatically through government legislation, therefore it is likely that your tuition fees will rise for each subsequent year of your studies.
Find out more about tuition fees, including year abroad, placement years, scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in 2026
- £20,200 per year
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about tuition fees, including year abroad, placement years, scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
A BSc in Criminology and Forensic Psychology equips you with a highly relevant and versatile skill set, opening pathways across the criminal justice system, psychology, and wider social sectors. By combining an understanding of forensic psychology, crime, behaviour and justice processes, you’ll be well prepared for roles within victim support, forensic mental health and secure settings, as a probation or prison officer, or within the police services.
Employability is built into your degree from the very start – you will ‘learn by doing’ from day one. In the first-year module Victims of Crime, you’ll choose an aspect of victimisation and write a briefing paper that summarises key issues for government officials, helping them gain a clearer understanding of the topic. This experience will give you valuable insight into producing professional policy-focused work and applying your skills in real-world practice.
Criminal Justice in Action includes sessions focused on career insights from forensic psychology and criminal justice practitioners, including forensic psychologists working within HM Prison and Probation Service, helping you to understand their work and how you can volunteer within the sector. You’ll also develop an employability portfolio and explore how your strengths and knowledge align with your potential career pathway.
Our second-year module Criminological Research Methods 1 will provide you with the opportunity to gather qualitative data and analyse the results. Qualitative research skills are highly transferable across a wide range of careers, equipping you to collect and interpret evidence, communicate insights clearly, and inform decision-making in professional settings. Whether you go on to work in forensic psychology, criminal justice, policy, research, or wider social sectors, the ability to work with qualitative data will be a key asset.
If you choose to take Forensic Science and Criminal Justice in year three, you will take part in employer-informed scenario workshop exercises, co-created with forensic practitioners. You’ll use these scenario workshops to prepare a forensic recovery strategy for a crime scene. This hands-on experience allows you to apply forensic theory to realistic investigative scenarios, developing practical skills used by professionals in the field. By creating a forensic recovery strategy, you’ll learn how to assess crime scenes, prioritise evidence collection, and make informed decisions under pressure.
You can also choose to spend a year abroad between your second and third years of study. Studying abroad is not only about travelling or meeting new people; it is also an opportunity to develop valuable life skills that are increasingly important in today’s global workplace.
Our graduates secure roles across a wide range of forensic psychology, criminal and social justice sectors including:
Civil Service and Public Sector
- HM Prison and Probation Service
- Ministry of Justice
- NHS
- The Police Service
Private Sector
- Cygnet
- Serco
Charity and Third Sector
- Choices Domestic Abuse Service
- Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact)
- Victim Support
(Graduate Outcomes Survey)
The experience Nikola gained has encouraged her to delve into a career as a senior policy officer.
Careers and Employability Service
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Related courses
Criminology
BSc, 3 years
Law with Criminology
LLB, 3 years
Psychology
BSc, 3-4 years
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Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 5: Gender equality
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong institutions
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
Modules
- Theories of Crime and Criminality (double module)
- Criminal Justice in Action (double module)
- Victims of Crime (double module)
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology (double module)
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Year 2
Year 2
Modules
- Punishment and Rehabilitation (single module)
- Criminological Research Methods 1 (double module)
- Investigative Psychology (single module)
- Criminological Research Methods 2 (double module)
- Forensic Psychology in the Courtroom (single module)
- Policing (single module)
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Year Abroad (optional)
Year Abroad (optional)
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.
For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.
Please note
- A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
- You may be eligible for a travel grant from .
- Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
- Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Year 3
Year 3
Core modules
- Preparing for your Research Project (double module)
- Using Psychology in Secure Settings
- Student Research Project (double module)
- Criminal Justice and Mental Disorder
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
Then choose one option module from:
- Forensic Science and Criminal Justice
- Understanding Extremism: Causes, Actions and Solutions
- Crime, Boarders and Migration
- Green Criminology
- Citizens for Change
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Why Leicester?
We are one of the few universities offering Criminology with Forensic Psychology, providing distinctive expertise in understanding crime through both criminological and psychological lenses. This unique combination prepares you for careers that value both criminological insight and psychological assessment, from investigative psychology and offender profiling to victim support and work in secure settings.
Our lecturers combine professional experience with cutting-edge research, including work on juror bias that led to the development of the Forensic Evidence Evaluation Bias Scale (FEEBS) used internationally in jury selection. Our experience and research ensure your learning is directly informed by innovations shaping contemporary practice.
Real-world learning is embedded throughout your degree, with guest sessions from HMPPS forensic psychologists, live Q&As with prison staff, and hands-on experience applying your knowledge in practical, real-world scenarios in our Crime Scene Room.
Study in a supportive and inclusive learning community, with tailored support both individually and in groups. Our innovative, exam-free assessment approach helps you develop key employability skills through creative, real-world methods.
Teaching and learning
Our core and optional modules are delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops, alongside contemporary virtual learning environments such as podcasts, online discussion forums, and audio-visual learning materials. Lectures provide foundational knowledge, while workshops offer opportunities to explore key ideas through discussion with peers and tutors. Virtual learning environments allow you to engage with the subject at your own pace.
On the BSc Criminology with Forensic Psychology, your assessments are designed to help you develop the skills you’ll need for your future career. There are no exams; instead, you will be assessed through a range of applied formats, such as writing strategy reports (Forensic Science and Criminal Justice), developing a skills and employability portfolio assessment (Criminal Justice in Action), posters (Victims of Crime), and writing briefing reports (Punishment and Rehabilitation). Alongside this, you’ll also be assessment via more traditional methods such as essays and presentations.
From your first year, you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive learning community. You’ll be allocated a personal tutor who provides one-to-one guidance throughout your studies, offering academic support as well as advice on wellbeing and progression. In addition, you’ll have access to a weekly drop-in help desk for quick queries, and teaching staff hold regular office hours, so you’ll always know where and when to find support when you need it.
In your third year, you’ll undertake a Research Project focused on an area of forensic psychology and criminology that interests you. This final project allows you to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ve developed throughout your studies while exploring a topic in depth. While the Research Project encourages independent learning, you’ll be supported throughout by dedicated one-to-one supervision.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can use our student study spaces in the school, access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Academic support
Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:
- study and exam skills
- academic writing
- presentations
- dissertations
- numerical data skills
- referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an award-winning teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of workshops under the supervision of the module leader. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Criminology with Forensic Psychology | Qualification BSc | Duration 3 years, full-time | UCAS Code CF84 | Availability How to apply |
| Course Criminology with Forensic Psychology with Year Abroad | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years, full-time | UCAS Code CF84 | Availability How to apply |
