Program Overview

Criminology with Psychology 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

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
  • Introduced to the English legal system, gaining an understanding of the nature and purpose of criminal law, the principles of criminalisation and the basic elements of a crime.
• Issues in Criminal Justice
  • Examine the criminal justice system and a range of agencies and institutions that operate within it.

Year 2 Core Modules

• Biological and Social Psychology
  • Explore biological, neurological and social explanations for a series of identified psychological topics.
• Criminological Theory in Practice
  • Develop an 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.
• Police and Policing
  • Explore the development, organisation and practice of policing in modern society.
• Theoretical Approaches to Forensic Psychology
  • Examine the relevance of psychology to our understanding of crime, criminal behaviour, legal decision making and the investigative process.

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
  • Produce a piece of independent research, with academic supervision.
• Current Issues in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Introduce a range of different neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Penology
  • Study the relationship between philosophies of punishment, methods and strategies of penal intervention.

Optional Modules

• Applied Forensic Psychology
• Inside Out
• Psychology of Everyday Self
• Social Movements
• Understanding Drugs in Society

How You Learn

• Modules are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars workshops and online learning.
• In lectures specific information is delivered to larger groups while, in the smaller seminar groups, you can explore issues in more depth supported by independent study.

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.

Entry Requirements

• A typical offer is 80-104 tariff points from at least two A levels, T level or equivalent.
• You must have GCSE English at grade 4 (grade C) or equivalent.

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.
• All programmes are designed to incorporate employability skills development alongside your degree course.

Information for International Applicants

• International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.

Tuition Fees

• Full-time
  • Entry to academic year
  • Fee for UK applicants £9,535 a year
  • Fee for international applicants £17,000 a year
• Part-time
  • Entry
  • Fee for UK applicants £4,635 (120 credits)