Psychology and Criminology

This foundation degree has been designed to develop your understanding of the nature of crime, society and human behaviour. You will study a range of disciplines, including criminology, psychology, criminal psychology, criminal law and the criminal justice system. This will provide you with a broad knowledge of the contextual and social influences on human and criminal behaviour.*

The course analyses theory in relation to working practice, preparing you for employment in a variety of professions and career pathways. You will also develop the necessary academic and research skills, as you become an independent practitioner capable of adapting to challenges you may face in your future career.

In psychology you will gain an understanding of:

mental illness and psychological treatments
social influence in conflict situations
personality testing and how the personality predicts behaviour
psychological factors that influence and reduce offending behaviour
the development of gender and memory across the lifespan
the factors associated with positive psychology e.g. life satisfaction

*Subject to approval

Each module is worth a specified number of credits: you take a combination of compulsory (and if available optional modules) enabling you to cover key subject knowledge while developing your own interests. For full time students a total of 120 credits will be studied in each academic year. In the majority of cases this will consist of 6 modules. For part time students it will depend on the intensity of your studies. Year 1 Clinical psychology - 20 credits Social influence and aggression - 20 credits Individual differences and quantitative research methods - 20 credits Introduction to criminological theory - 20 credits An introduction to the criminal justice system in England and Wales - 20 credits Methods of detection and offender profiling - 20 credits Year 2 Methods of detection and offender profiling - 20 credits Lifespan development - 20 credits Positive psychology and qualitative methods - 20 credits Youth justice and victims of crime - 20 credits Policing and community safety - 20 credits The psychology of offending behaviour - 20 credits

There are two formal or summative assessed pieces of work for each module. Assessment methods can include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and projects. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark. In addition to formal assessments throughout modules of study there will be developmental (formative) assessments to support you with developing greater understanding of your progress.

Please note: this foundation degree is not accredited by the British Psychological Society.