Psychology with Criminology

Psychology with Criminology brings the scientific study of human behaviour into direct conversation with the analysis of crime and criminal justice. Psychology provides the tools to understand individual motivation, decision-making, trauma, and behaviour change; criminology situates crime within broader social, political, and institutional contexts, asking how societies define wrongdoing, who is most likely to be victimised or prosecuted, and whether the criminal justice system's responses are effective or just. Together they equip you to engage with the causes and consequences of crime from multiple perspectives.

At the University of Reading, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year with work placement opportunities, giving you structured professional experience alongside your academic studies. You will cover the core areas of British Psychological Society-accredited psychology, including cognitive, social, biological, and developmental psychology, alongside criminological theory, victimology, forensic psychology, policing, and penal policy. Research methods in both disciplines are developed throughout, and the criminology content is particularly strong in addressing the intersection of psychology and criminal justice.

Graduates from Psychology with Criminology at Reading move into a range of careers. Criminal justice roles in probation, the prison service, police forces, youth offending teams, and victim support organisations are well-established destinations. Forensic psychology as a professional specialism requires further postgraduate training, but this degree provides an excellent foundation for that route.

Social work, mental health support, and community-based rehabilitation are also options. The sandwich year strengthens your professional credentials and can open doors to employment in specific organisations. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in forensic psychology, criminology, social work, or counselling psychology, using their combined undergraduate background as the basis for specialist practice.