Southampton Solent University

Course Details

BA (Hons) Criminal Investigation with Psychology

Course Description

Are you hoping to learn more about how thoughts and feelings can influence criminal behaviours? This exciting interdisciplinary course will help you to understand the underlying social and psychological causes of criminality, focusing on the various different forms of criminal behaviour and the ways in which the UK handles criminal justice. Alongside the foundations of psychological inquiry and research, you’ll also study the methods by which crimes are investigated, responsibility allocated and prosecutions secured. Students have embarked on educational visits to institutions including the Old Bailey and Houses of Parliament, as well as the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, Washington DC and the British Embassy in the USA. Past students have benefited from regular guest lectures delivered by industry experts. The course’s curriculum has been designed in collaboration with Southampton Solent University’s industry partners. This helps to ensure that the course content meets the needs of employers. The course is delivered by an experienced team with backgrounds in psychological practice, academic research and criminal justice. The course team encourage students to pursue valuable work experience throughout their studies. Solent’s established connections with psychological organisations and local and national criminal justice agencies have helped provide past students with relevant opportunities. 86% of students on this course reported that they were satisfied in the 2014 National Student Survey. Optional units enable students to plan their own career path, including options in specialist subjects such as alcohol, drugs and crime; crime and the media; and youth crime and justice. Students use a range of industry standard facilities including dedicated observation, cognitive, psychophysiology and computer laboratories. The industry Whether you want to work in the social support and welfare sector, in the justice system or with relevant charities, your understanding of both criminal investigation and psychology will give you the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives. This is an essential degree for many careers in these sectors, but can also help with a range of roles in other industries. These include various applied and research-based roles that focus on helping people with social or personal issues and supporting the rehabilitation of offenders.

Course Duration

NumberDuration
3year

Career outcomes

The course supports entry to a range of public- and private-sector careers. If you have a particular interest in criminal psychology you could choose to work as, for example, a mental health case worker in local authority community safety units, or in the Serious Organized Crime Agency. Suitable roles for graduates include: Police services and policing institutions Prison service Probation Immigration, customs and excise Crown prosecution service Further study/training. Private security and investigations Youth work Public and commercial administration Charity work Links with industry Many members of staff on the course team have extensive experience in criminal justice and in applied psychological settings, and have strong ties to the professional world.




BA (Hons) Criminal Investigation with Psychology Southampton Solent University