BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminal Investigation Bachelor's degree at West London
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminal Investigation at West London combines psychological theory with criminal investigation practice, allowing you to develop expertise across multiple areas of the discipline.
About this course
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminal Investigation is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at West London, based in Ealing / Brentford. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Psychology, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Level 4 6 modules
- Criminological TheoryCompulsory
Module details
Explore key perspectives from classical to modern, like strain theory and feminist criminology. Learn from real-world scenarios and develop your analytical skills to unveil the complexities of criminal behaviour.
- Mind, Brain, and BehaviourCompulsory
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Introduction to biological and cognitive psychology. Learn the biological basis of behaviour and how the interactions of thinking, emotion, creativity, and problem-solving influence our behaviour.
- Data Handling and Analysis in PsychologyCompulsory
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Training in psychological research methods developing the practical skills you need to conduct research. Learn about research design, ethical issues, analytical techniques and study how to programme and code experiments, and analyse data from surveys and observation studies.
- Development in a Social WorldCompulsory
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Introduction to social and developmental psychology. Learn how humans develop over the lifespan and how individual and group behaviour changes based on the presence of and our interaction with others.
- Real World Psychology: Criminal MindsCompulsory
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Introduction to real-world applications and implications of criminal behaviour. Learn about criminology and victimology in the modern age, the prevalence of crime in the UK and internationally, and gain knowledge of evidence-based interventions of crime and offender behaviour.
- Qualitative Inquiry in PsychologyCompulsory
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Psychological research methods training gaining insights into non-numerical methods. Learn about interviews, thematic and discourse-based analyses, and practice a range of qualitative research techniques.
Level 5 6 modules
- Personality and Individual DifferencesCompulsory
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Explore the role of culture and how assessment and measurement vary across general and diverse populations. Cover hands on topics such as psychometrics testing in personality and intelligence.
- Cognitive NeuroscienceCompulsory
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Advanced understanding of cutting-edge neuroscience. Engage with advanced topics in brain and behaviour and how our biology influences how with think, remember, and learn. Cover topics such as the neurological basis of addictive behaviour.
- Psychology in PracticeCompulsory
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Enhances your career readiness preparing you for the workforce. Experience a unique dual approach covering psychological concepts and theories related to employability whilst engaging in work experience.
- Psychosocial Development across the LifespanCompulsory
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Expand your understanding of the social processes related to human development. Evaluate social interactions and developmental milestones from infancy to later adulthood. Cover topics such as language development and its impact on people's behaviour.
- Explaining Criminal BehaviourCompulsory
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Explore the psychological aspects of crime, unravelling diverse theories to discover the motivations behind criminal actions. Guides you through a critical examination of human behaviour, emphasising foundational concepts like psychopathy, personality disorders, and behavioural disorders. Gain invaluable insights into the driving forces behind criminal decision-making through case studies and empirical research.
- Becoming an Independent ResearcherCompulsory
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Further develops your research methods and data analytical skills. Increase your independent research skills by studying advanced designs and analyses to answer real-world questions. Cover topics such as openness and transparency in psychological research.
Level 6 8 modules
- DissertationCompulsory
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Conduct your own independent research project on a psychological topic of your choice. Working closely with a member of academic staff you review relevant literature to generate a research question, design a study to address your question, obtain ethical approval for your study, collect and analyse your data, and write this up as a final research report.
- Forensic PsychologyCompulsory
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Overview of key topics in forensic and criminological psychology. Look at theories of crime, domestic and sexual violence, crime and mental health, eyewitness testimony, investigative interviewing, and interrogations and confessions.
- Understanding and Preventing Corruption: Theory and PracticeOptional
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Focuses on the theoretical understanding of why individuals and organisations commit corrupt acts. Combines approaches from political science, law, economics, sociology and criminology. Examines the continuum of corruption and different ways to tackle it through local solutions, pressure groups, anti-corruption campaigns and law enforcement.
- Criminal Law and Youth JusticeOptional
- Psychopharmacology and Addictive BehavioursOptional
Module details
Overviews key issues in relation to substance use, misuse, and addiction. Learn substance classification, neurochemistry, and addiction trends at national and international level.
- Psychology of Abusive and Violent RelationshipsOptional
Module details
Overviews key issues in relation to violence in relationships and explores the antecedents and consequences of abuse. Learn how these concepts are applied in practical settings, the impact upon victims and perpetrators, and the processes surrounding rehabilitation.
- Law and Court Room Skills: Expert Evidence TestimonyOptional
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Focuses on the critical arena of expert evidence testimony, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the rules, procedures, and ethical considerations essential for effective courtroom practice and admissible evidence. Participants will master the art of preparing and delivering expert testimony through a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on training.
- Mental Health, Wellbeing and Resilience in Criminal JusticeOptional
Module details
Gain practical strategies to boost resilience in the demanding criminal justice environment. Explore the prevalence of mental health issues among criminal justice professionals and learn effective ways to address these challenges. Navigate high-pressure scenarios with confidence by employing stress management techniques.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course combines core psychology with criminal investigation. You'll start with foundations in cognitive, social and biological psychology, alongside research methods and statistics, the bedrock of BPS-accredited study. In your second year, you'll typically progress to advanced topics such as social and developmental psychology, with refined research skills. Year 3 moves to specialist options, such as forensic psychology, clinical psychology, neuroscience, child development and health psychology, alongside individual differences and psychopathology. You'll conclude with your own empirical dissertation, a supervised research project from design through analysis to write-up.
Who it's for
This course suits those interested in understanding human behaviour within criminal and forensic contexts. Part-time study makes it accessible if you're balancing work or other commitments. You'll need a genuine interest in psychology and criminal investigation, along with the ability to manage independent study alongside your other responsibilities.
Careers & job market
Across Psychology courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of working graduates, 45% are in highly skilled work or further study. Starting salaries 15 months after graduation range from £22,250 to £28,000 nationally. After five years, graduates earn between £22,950 and £32,400. These figures reflect national Graduate Outcomes and LEO data, not university-specific guarantees.
University & format
The University of West London, located in Ealing and Brentford, is a recognised UK degree-awarding body offering this BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminal Investigation on a part-time basis. Instruction is in English. The university holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. Check the university's funding pages for bursaries and scholarships.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code C8L3). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at West London →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Psychology graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Assistant / Graduate roleAssistant psychologist or research · 0–2 yrs
- 2Trainee / PractitionerDoctoral training or applied role · 2–6 yrs
- 3Qualified PsychologistChartered / HCPC-registered · 6–10 yrs
- 4Senior / ConsultantLeading services or research · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Psychology nationally
National figures for Psychology graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How Psychology graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Survey scoring and data cleaning
- Literature-search summaries
- Routine report scaffolding
- Standard statistical runs
More human than ever
- Clinical judgement and formulation
- Empathy and the therapeutic relationship
- Designing and interpreting studies
- Ethics with vulnerable people
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Psychology graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- The NHS
- Schools
- Research & consultancies
- Charities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Psychology graduates.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of West London
Psychology across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Ealing / Brentford
2,092 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Psychology right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to West London from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £16,250 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check West London’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with West London and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at West London
Psychology at other universities
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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