Criminology with Psychology (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)
Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Criminology with Psychology (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)
Overview
Criminology is the study of crime within society, but, what is crime, why do people offend and what should we do with criminals? Why do we focus on crimes of the powerless, are crimes of the powerful more harmful? What is the role of the police and the criminal justice system? How does the news and media shape our understanding and experience of crime? How do race, gender, age, sexual orientation and class shape experiences of crime and victimisation? How does our more globalised world shape localised experiences of crime?
Course Details
Foundation Year Core Modules
- Discovering the Social Sciences, Humanities and Law: You are introduced to the historical and contemporary development of social science disciplines, exploring examples of theoretical challenges and ways in which research is practically applied in society.
- Investigating Society and Culture: The Case of Crime: Taking a multidisciplinary approach, explore crime through history, politics, English and creative writing, criminology, sociology, psychology and education to investigate the problems within society and culture.
- Your Foundation Year Project: Identify and explore an area of interest related to your area of study through small-scale research using secondary data or desk-based research.
- Your Toolkit for University Success: You develop your personal and academic skills to help prepare you for searching and retrieving information, evaluating different types of evidence, critical thinking and reading skills, note-taking and summarising evidence, presentation skills, groupwork, digital literacy and employability.
Year 1 Core Modules
- Becoming a Social Scientist: Develop academic skills, knowledge and understanding to support successful study within a criminology and sociology higher education learning environment.
- Crime and Society: Study the foundational elements and key questions in sociology and criminology.
- Criminal Law for Criminologists: Criminal law, perhaps the best-known aspect of the legal system, presents an interesting and challenging area of study.
- Issues in Criminal Justice: You study the criminal justice system and a range of agencies and institutions that operate within it.
Year 2 Core Modules
- Biological and Social Psychology: The module is divided into two halves: biopsychology and social psychology.
- Criminological Theory in Practice: You develop your understanding of the major developments in criminological theory from the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
- Future Directions and Research for Social Scientists: Develop an understanding of employment pathways, opportunities, reflective practice, experiential learning, and social research methods in criminology and sociology, ready for employment.
- Police and Policing: Explore the development, organisation and practice of policing in modern society.
Final-Year Core Modules
- Applied Forensic Psychology: Focus on the application of psychological research and theory to practice in the criminal justice system.
- Criminology and Sociology Dissertation: Your dissertation provides the platform to produce a piece of independent research, with academic supervision.
- Current Issues in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: This module is aimed at students who have an interest in applied aspects of cognitive psychology, especially educational psychology, as well as those interested in developmental and bio-psychology.
- Penology: You study the relationship between philosophies of punishment, methods and strategies of penal intervention, including sentencing, imprisonment, community sentences and community supervision.
Entry Requirements
- A typical offer is 32-64 tariff points from at least two A levels, T level or equivalent, and GCSE grade 4 (grade C) or equivalent in English.
Employability
- You can enter a broad range of careers including the probation service, the prison service, the police, voluntary organisations, the public sector and postgraduate training or study.
Tuition Fees
- Full-time: £9,535 a year (UK applicants), £17,000 a year (international applicants)
- Part-time: Not available part-time
Other Course Routes
- Full-time: 4 years, UCAS code: M9C0 BSc/CrPFY
- Part-time: Not available part-time
How You Learn
- Modules are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars workshops and online learning.
How You Are Assessed
- Our varied assessments develop the skills most valued by employers. They include essays, exams, group and individual presentations, poster presentations, portfolios and a dissertation.
Program Outline
Criminology with Psychology (with Foundation Year), BSc (Hons)
Degree Overview
This program combines the study of criminology and psychology, offering a unique perspective on crime and its causes.
Objectives:
- Gain a thorough understanding of theoretical criminology with psychology.
- Develop specialist knowledge through chosen modules covering diverse topics like drugs and domestic violence.
- Prepare for careers in areas like the probation service, prison service, police, voluntary organizations, and the public sector.
Description:
The program provides a comprehensive base in criminology, delving into the psychological aspects of crime. Through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and online learning, students explore key concepts, theories, and research findings in both fields. This program features:
- The Inside Out Programme: Students work alongside people in custody, fostering dialogue and collaboration.
- Guest speakers: Criminologists and professionals from different fields share practical experiences and case studies.
- Research opportunities: Students can pursue individual research projects in the final year.
- Employability skills development: Gain skills valued by employers through workshops, presentations, and a dissertation.
Outline
Program Content:
- Criminology: Explore the nature and causes of crime, criminal justice systems, and offender behavior.
- Psychology: Delve into human behavior, cognition, and how psychological principles influence criminal behavior.
- Research Methods: Develop research skills for analyzing and interpreting data related to crime and criminal behavior.
Program Structure:
The program follows a 3 + 1 structure:
- Year 1: Core modules on criminology, criminal law, criminal justice, and crime and society.
- Year 2: Core modules on criminological theory, research methods, police and policing, and psychology in context.
- Year 3: Core modules on criminology dissertation, penology, and understanding criminal behavior. Plus, one optional module from a selection including applied forensic psychology, inside out, psychology of everyday self, social movements, and understanding drugs in society.
- Foundation Year: For students needing additional preparation. Covers fundamental social science concepts, critical thinking, and writing skills.
Course Schedule:
The program operates on a semester system, with each module typically lasting one semester. Lectures and seminars are held during the week, with flexible learning and online resources available throughout.
Modules:
- Core modules:
- Becoming a Social Scientist
- Crime and Society
- Criminal Law for Criminologists
- Issues in Criminal Justice
- Criminological Theory in Practice
- Future Directions and Research for Social Scientists
- Police and Policing
- Psychology in Context
- Criminology and Sociology Dissertation
- Penology
- Understanding Criminal Behaviour
- Optional modules:
- Applied Forensic Psychology
- Inside Out
- Psychology of Everyday Self
- Social Movements
- Understanding Drugs in Society
Assessment
The program uses varied assessment methods to evaluate students' knowledge and skills:
- Essays: Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical abilities.
- Exams: Test knowledge of key concepts and theories.
- Group and individual presentations: Develop communication and teamwork skills.
- Poster presentations: Summarize research findings in a visual format.
- Portfolios: Showcase a collection of work demonstrating acquired skills.
- Dissertation: Conduct independent research and present findings in a scholarly paper.
Teaching
The program boasts experienced and research-active staff who bring real-world insights into the classroom. Teaching methods include:
- Lectures: Provide foundational knowledge and introduce key concepts.
- Seminars: Encourage in-depth discussions, critical analysis, and independent research.
- Workshops: Develop practical skills and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
- Online learning: Access e-resources, participate in interactive activities, and engage with peers and instructors virtually.
Careers
This program opens doors to various opportunities in fields such as:
- Probation service: Support offenders with rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
- Prison service: Contribute to the management and care of prisoners.
- Police: Investigate crime, enforce laws, and protect the public.
- Voluntary organizations: Assist individuals and communities affected by crime.
- Public sector: Engage in policy development, research, and advocacy related to crime and criminal justice. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate studies to further specialize in chosen areas.
Other
- International applicants: Information on specific requirements for international students is available on the program page.
- Student support: The university offers various support services, including disability services, financial aid, and career guidance.
- RPL: Students can potentially earn credit for prior learning and work experience.
- Employability skills: Dedicated workshops and events equip students with the skills and experience employers value.
Tuition Fees and Payment Information:
- Fee for UK applicants: £9,250 a year
- Fee for international applicants: £17,000 a year