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Criminology with Psychology  (LWWD)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Law
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Bachelor of Science
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Dr Jonathan Ilan
Overall Programme Credits:
240
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 35
Stage 2: 50
Stage 3: 40

Curricular information is subject to change.

Criminology is the systematic study of crime and its control. Criminologists ask what causes crime and how we might best respond to it, and why certain behaviours are criminalised while others are not. This degree brings together expertise in the Sutherland School of Law and the School of Psychology to offer an inspiring interdisciplinary learning experience.

This programme is for students who wish to study crime and its control and to gain a profound understanding of how social, psychological and legal factors underpin them. The programme vests students with knowledge, skills and experience applicable in a wide variety of careers.



 



We aim for students to be active, autonomous learners, who appreciate the social, cultural, legal, psychological and political dimensions of crime and crime control, to have developed the research and information-assessment skills to act as engaged citizens and agents of social change and to have laid the academic basis for success in a variety of careers.





 



We strive for a learning environment that encourages students to work individually or as part of a team, so that they can develop their own and others' leadership, teamwork and communication skills. Small-group teaching, collaboration and research-based learning are key elements of this.



 



To these ends the programme uses teaching, learning and assessment approaches such as tutorials, seminars, supervised academic writing, student-lead research and problem-solving practice.



 


1 - Demonstrate advanced conceptual and applied knowledge of Criminology and Psychology;
2 - Understand the contribution of the disciplines of Psychology, Criminology to understanding key aspects of human behaviour
3 - Understand and begin to apply the methodologies used in Criminology and Psychology.
4 - Critically appraise evidence from research papers concerning topics in Criminology and Psychology;
5 - Reflect on how dynamics of crime and violence can differ in different societies;
6 - Articulate theoretical concepts, current debates and research findings to both specialist and non-specialist audiences

In third year, students will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad in a wide range of partner universities in Europe and around the world.

UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.

At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.

This programme provides opportunities for students to develop in areas such as:
  • Information & Communication Technology
  • Writing
  • Researching
  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication
  • Presentations
  • Teamwork
  • Networking
  • Creativity
  • Global awareness
  • Social responsibility
  • Critical thinking
  • Self-awareness


This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
  • Career development initiatives with UCD Careers Network
  • Cultural awareness, resilience and self-confidence e.g. Study Abroad/ERASMUS
  • Language skills e.g. Chinese and Spanish via UCD Centre for English & Global Languages
  • Social responsibility e.g. UCD In the Community and UCD Volunteers Overseas
  • Enhancing digital literacy skills
  • Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments
  • Development of self-reflection skills
  • Creativity and entrepreneurship e.g. elective modules at UCD Innovation Academy


As a graduate of the BSc in Criminology with Psychology, you will be well positioned to pursue a variety of careers. The degree will open up the potential of pursuing a career in: An Garda Siochána • Prison Services • Probation services • Non-governmental organisations • Research • Academia

For students interested in further deepening their knowledge of the subject, the School of Law offers a one-year MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

UCD Sutherland School of Law

Tel: +353 1 716 4110
e. law.students@ucd.ie

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules - Criminology
 LAW10540 Introduction to Criminology Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules - Criminology
 LAW10560 Academic & Professional Skills Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules - Criminology
 LAW10570 Comparative Perspectives on Crime & Society Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules - Criminology
 LAW10450 Law and Courts Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules - Criminology
 LAW10490 Intro to Criminal Justice Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules - Criminology
 LAW10520 Introduction to Penology Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules - Criminology
 LAW10550 Criminal Behaviour Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules - Psychology
 PSY10060 Brain and Behaviour Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules - Psychology
 PSY10080 Introduction to Social Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules - Psychology
 PSY10050 Introduction to Psychology Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Core Modules - Psychology
 PSY10090 Introduction to Applied Psychology Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - - CriminologyA) Min 0 of:
You may choose this module as an elective if you wish
 LAW10260 Criminal Procedure Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - - PsychologyA) Min 0 of:
You may choose this module as an elective if you wish
 PSY10040 Introduction to the Psychology of Perception and Cognition Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules - Criminology
 LAW27330 Crime, Media, Culture Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules - Criminology
 LAW27340 Experiencing Punishment Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules - Criminology
 LAW27310 Criminology Research Methods Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules - Criminology
 LAW27320 Criminal Law Spring  10
Stage 2 Core Modules - Psychology
 PSY20020 Child & Adolescent Development Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules - Psychology
 PSY20150 Foundations of Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - - CriminologyA) Min 1 of:
Students should choose at least one option module here and can choose two further options instead of electives. Students can choose a further two options instead of psychology options. Max 5.
 LAW10050 Constitutional Law: Institutional Framework of the Constitution of Ireland Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - - CriminologyA) Min 1 of:
Students should choose at least one option module here and can choose two further options instead of electives. Students can choose a further two options instead of psychology options. Max 5.
 SOC10110 Sociology of Crime & Deviance Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - - CriminologyA) Min 1 of:
Students should choose at least one option module here and can choose two further options instead of electives. Students can choose a further two options instead of psychology options. Max 5.
 SSJ20140 Human Rights & Social Justice Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - - CriminologyA) Min 1 of:
Students should choose at least one option module here and can choose two further options instead of electives. Students can choose a further two options instead of psychology options. Max 5.
 SSJ20160 Race and Racism: Critical Perspectives Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - - CriminologyA) Min 1 of:
Students should choose at least one option module here and can choose two further options instead of electives. Students can choose a further two options instead of psychology options. Max 5.
 LAW10060 Constitutional Law: Fundamental Rights under the Constitution of Ireland Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - - CriminologyA) Min 1 of:
Students should choose at least one option module here and can choose two further options instead of electives. Students can choose a further two options instead of psychology options. Max 5.
 SSCI20030 Building Resilience Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - - CriminologyA) Min 1 of:
Students should choose at least one option module here and can choose two further options instead of electives. Students can choose a further two options instead of psychology options. Max 5.
 SSJ20110 Gender, Power and Politics - Historical Perspectives Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - - PsychologyA) Min 0 of:
You may choose these as options (or instead of electives )
 PSY30080 Psychology and Crime Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - - PsychologyA) Min 0 of:
You may choose these as options (or instead of electives )
 PSY30140 Advanced Social Psychology Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyA)3 of:
Choose 3 of
 LAW30180 Jurisprudence Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyA)3 of:
Choose 3 of
 LAW30300 Punishment and Penal Policy Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyA)3 of:
Choose 3 of
 LAW30440 Environmental Law and Policy Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyA)3 of:
Choose 3 of
 LAW30470 International Human Rights Law Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyA)3 of:
Choose 3 of
 LAW30730 Public International Law Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyA)3 of:
Choose 3 of
 LAW37760 International Refugee Law Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyA)3 of:
Choose 3 of
 LAW37780 Murder, Myth and Memory Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyA)3 of:
Choose 3 of
 LAW30310 Law of the ECHR Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyA)3 of:
Choose 3 of
 LAW30450 Family and Child Law Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyA)3 of:
Choose 3 of
 LAW37630 Law in the Classroom Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyA)3 of:
Choose 3 of
 LAW37740 Victims and Victimology Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 LAW30180 Jurisprudence Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 LAW30440 Environmental Law and Policy Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 LAW30470 International Human Rights Law Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 LAW30730 Public International Law Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 LAW37760 International Refugee Law Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 LAW37780 Murder, Myth and Memory Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 SOC20220 Social Theory and Social Media Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 SOC30780 Security, Surveillance, and the Big Brother Society Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 SPOL30360 Drug Use, Society and Policy Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 SPOL38190 Child Abuse, Sexual + Domestic Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 SSJ20140 Human Rights & Social Justice Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 SSJ30080 Global Masculinities Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 LAW30310 Law of the ECHR Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 LAW30450 Family and Child Law Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 LAW37630 Law in the Classroom Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 LAW37740 Victims and Victimology Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 POL30660 Data Analytics for Social Sciences Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 SOC30270 Sociology of War and Violence Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 SOC30700 Democracy & Civil Society Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 SSJ20110 Gender, Power and Politics - Historical Perspectives Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - CriminologyB) Min 3 of:
Choose 25 credits from the list below. You may also choose an additional 5 or 10 credits of modules from this list instead of electives
 SSJ20150 Political Economy & Social Justice Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - PsychologyA) Min 2 of:
Students may choose their electives from this list if they wish to pursue further study in Psychology. Those considering applying for a Psychology conversion course should note that many programmes require at least 60 credits in total in Psychology
 PSY20100 Introduction to Disability Studies Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - PsychologyA) Min 2 of:
Students may choose their electives from this list if they wish to pursue further study in Psychology. Those considering applying for a Psychology conversion course should note that many programmes require at least 60 credits in total in Psychology
 PSY30050 Behavioural Neuroscience Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - PsychologyA) Min 2 of:
Students may choose their electives from this list if they wish to pursue further study in Psychology. Those considering applying for a Psychology conversion course should note that many programmes require at least 60 credits in total in Psychology
 PSY30340 Human Intelligence and Personality Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - PsychologyA) Min 2 of:
Students may choose their electives from this list if they wish to pursue further study in Psychology. Those considering applying for a Psychology conversion course should note that many programmes require at least 60 credits in total in Psychology
 PSY30400 Cross-Cultural Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - PsychologyA) Min 2 of:
Students may choose their electives from this list if they wish to pursue further study in Psychology. Those considering applying for a Psychology conversion course should note that many programmes require at least 60 credits in total in Psychology
 PSY30040 Lifespan Developmental Psychology Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - PsychologyA) Min 2 of:
Students may choose their electives from this list if they wish to pursue further study in Psychology. Those considering applying for a Psychology conversion course should note that many programmes require at least 60 credits in total in Psychology
 PSY30080 Psychology and Crime Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - PsychologyA) Min 2 of:
Students may choose their electives from this list if they wish to pursue further study in Psychology. Those considering applying for a Psychology conversion course should note that many programmes require at least 60 credits in total in Psychology
 PSY30380 Youth Mental Health Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - PsychologyA) Min 2 of:
Students may choose their electives from this list if they wish to pursue further study in Psychology. Those considering applying for a Psychology conversion course should note that many programmes require at least 60 credits in total in Psychology
 PSY30440 How to Change Behaviour Spring  5

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHLAW029 Stage 4 - 50.00%
Stage 3 - 50.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
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