COURSE CURRICULUM

The Criminology and Psychology course at Sussex is a three-year interdisciplinary program that integrates sociological, criminological, and psychological perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of crime, human behaviour, and the criminal justice system. In the first year, students develop foundational knowledge through modules in criminological theory, critical reading and writing, thinking like a criminologist, sociology, social psychology, child development, and the criminal justice system, equipping them with analytical and theoretical skills. The second year deepens this understanding with core modules in biological psychology, cognitive processes, and qualitative social research, while optional modules allow students to explore topics such as gender, crime and justice, policing, identity, violence, deviant leisure, victimology, emotions, health, social inequality, and the climate crisis. In the third year, students undertake a criminology project alongside advanced psychology modules and study clinical psychology, further developing research, analytical, and applied skills. A wide range of optional modules, including neurocriminology, digital activism, criminological futures, crimes against humanity, the death penalty, gangs, violence, and terrorism, allow students to tailor their studies to their interests and career goals. Across all years, the program emphasizes critical thinking, research methods, and practical application, preparing graduates for careers in criminal justice, policy, research, advocacy, clinical settings, and other roles that require an understanding of crime and human behaviour.