BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Psychology

Program Overview

This BSc Criminology and Forensic Psychology degree explores the causes and consequences of crime through the lens of psychology. Students learn about the criminal justice system, conduct scientific research, and develop forensic skills. Graduates are prepared for careers in forensic criminology, psychology, and other fields where understanding criminal behavior is crucial.

Program Outline

Objectives:

• Learn to apply psychological theory and practice to the study of crime, its causes, and its consequences.
• Understand the role of psychology within criminal law and the inner workings of the criminal justice system.
• Learn from ex-police staff and expert psychology practitioners who really get to know you and your needs.
• Gain key scientific skills in data handling and analysis as you learn to understand criminal behaviour.
• Learn on a BPS-accredited course and take the first step to becoming a forensic psychologist.

Outline:

Year One:

• Modules:
• Analysing Attitudes to Work & Performance
• Crime and Society
• Crime, Diversity and Duty of Care
• Experimental Design in Context: Usability and Cognition
• Perspectives On Psychology
• Study & Research Skills for Social Scientists
• The Study of Human Interaction

Year Two:

• Modules:
• Biological Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Individual Differences Psychology
• Legal Frameworks
• Mental Health and Forensic Psychology
• Research Methods: Experimental Designs & Analysis
• Research Methods: Survey and Qualitative Designs and Analysis

Year Three:

• Modules:
• Criminology in Professional Practice
• Independent Project
• Project Management and Presentation Skills
• Psychology in Context: Professional Skills in Psychology
• Sexual Offenders: Across the Life Course
• Young People and Crime

Assessment:

• Methods:
• Scientific reports
• Essays
• Group and individual presentations
• Poster design
• Multiple choice papers
• Short answer papers
• Research participation
• Essay exams

Teaching:

• Methods:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Faculty:
• Michelle Cleveland (Senior Lecturer in Psychology)
• Benjamin T. Sharpe (Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology, Programme Coordinator for the BSc Criminology and Forensic Psychology, and Academic Board Member)
• Stephanie Jane Bennett (Programme Coordinator for BSc Criminology; Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Forensic Psychology)
• Moitree Banerjee (Head of Psychology and Criminology/ Reader in Clinical Psychology)
• Roy Spina (Senior Lecturer in Psychology in Cultural and Individual Differences Psychology)
• James Stiller (Senior Lecturer in Psychology)
• Rachel King (Lecturer in Biological Psychology)
• Unique Approaches:
• Smaller class sizes for better learning

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Forensic Criminologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Opportunities:
• Prison service
• Rehabilitation units
• Secure hospitals
• Courts
• Social services
• Outcomes:
• Graduate with basis for chartership with the BPS
• Gain the skills and knowledge employers want
• Other Career Options:
• Police work
• Probation service
• Victim or offender support
• Teaching
• Social welfare
• IT or computing
• Data analysis
• Human resources
• Market, government, or social research
• Civil service

Other:

• Our neuroimaging system with a 3D scalable ultra-high-density near-infrared spectroscopy platform measures changes in the cerebral cortex using NIRScout and NIRx Medical Technologies.
• Suite including an affective immersive emotional Virtual Reality stimuli package that allows researchers to create different worlds for Neuroscience Research using aLIAS and Vizard.
• Software for measuring and manipulating a broad range of psychological constructs; Inquisit, Qualtrics, Noldus Observer XT, E-prime, Superlab and Nvivo.