Psychology with Criminology with Foundation Year

The BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology with Foundation Year course brings together our practical expertise in both Psychology and Criminology. This course will provide you with evidence-based knowledge and experience in the fundamentals of psychological theories and issues, as well as a critical understanding and real-world application of contemporary criminology concepts. You’ll gain insight into society and the associated pressures and influences, while exploring what motivates people to commit crimes, the effect crime has, and how it could be prevented. It will also allow you to pursue further education in specialist areas, such as forensic psychology.

Completion of the programme will allow students to seek further education in the field of psychology (e.g. education, health, forensic). It will also enable students to seek employment in a number of areas, including psychology, health, education, management, policing, business etc.

The degree programme is designed so that the Foundation Year focuses on developing the key skills required to study at degree level and covers the same six modules as on our law and business other social sciences degrees. The modules covered will initially enhance your communications skills, digital and information literacy and ability to think critically. You then have the added flexibility of switching your degree programme if another discipline captures your interest, subject to availability and entry requirements.

The programme is seeking BPS accreditation and once achieved, students will be able to apply to BPS for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, which is the first step to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

On an accredited course students get free membership to the BPS in the first year.

Students will gain a BPS psychology degree and also undertake 4 criminology modules, delivered by criminology tutors. This course would suit students with an interest criminology but who essentially want the BPS accredited degree. It would suit students considering a career in forensic psychology or working in an area involved in crime.

Course Modules

All modules are 20 credits unless stated.

Foundation Year

Term 1:
• Communication Skills
• Digital and Research Skills
• Sustainability and Society

Term 2:
• Foundation Year Project
• Core Concepts of Psychology
• One option from the following: Core Concepts of Business; Core Concepts of Computer Science; Core Concepts of Criminology or Core Concepts of Law.

Options available are indicative and available subject to numbers and the campus chosen. Students will also complete the Shaping Skills for Success programme.

Year One

• Criminological theory
• Understanding the Person
• Academic and career success
• Research Methods Design
• Brain and Behaviour
• AI for the future professional

Year Two

• Neuroscience of Behaviour
• Lifespan Development
• Personality & Individual Differences
• Mixed Methods Research
• Social & Critical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology

Year 3

• Mental Health and Wellbeing

• Forensic and Criminological Psychology

• Dissertation (40 credits, 2 semesters)

Students have a choice of one option module in semester 1
Optional module:
• Policing and the Police (criminology module)

• International Criminology (criminology module)

• Society and Punishment (criminology module)

Students pick two option modules in semester 2
optional modules:
• Evidence, testimony and forensics (criminology module)

• Crimes of the powerful (criminology)