BSc (Hons)Criminal Investigation with Psychology

Core modules

Perspectives within Psychology

You will be introduced to major perspectives which exist within psychology, for example psychodynamic, behaviourist, cognitive and biological perspectives. This will enable you to establish an understanding of the origins and history of research within psychology and have awareness of the fundamental assumptions that each perspective holds. You will be able to see the continuity and development of psychology as a scientific disciple over time and understand the places of differing perspectives in psychology today.

Psychology and Social Change

Individuals, groups, organisations, governments are facing challenging issues and psychology can bring solutions to many current social issues (e.g., climate change, social justice and wellbeing). You will gain an understanding of Community Psychology perspectives for working with communities to improve their wellbeing with a focus on Community Psychology methods for working with marginalised groups.

Big Questions in Social Sciences

Drawing on present-day issues concerning crime, this module teaches the skills needed to become a successful social scientist, such as how to find, use and acknowledge academic research, and construct and present persuasive arguments.

Criminal Justice Process

This module will introduce you to the main stages and actors of the criminal justice process and the major theoretical and analytical approaches that inform the function and operation of the criminal justice process.

Explaining Criminal Behaviour

Why do people commit crime? This module explores the wide range of fascinating psychological, biological, and sociological explanations for criminal and deviant behaviour

Researching Criminal Worlds

Research is the bedrock of our understandings of crime and justice. In this module you will learn the different methods employed to create strong, credible, and ethically sound new knowledge about crime and deviance.

Core modules

Individual Differences and Social Psychology

You will navigate the different ways in which social psychologists make sense of the human mind and behaviour and how psychological research can help us addresses real-life issues. How much influence does personality have on the actions we take and the ambitions we hold? How do other people's actions impact our behaviour? Social psychologists seek to understand human behaviour and how others influence our thoughts feelings and behaviour, and applicability to our daily social interactions and decision making.

The Psychology of Crime

Cybercrime and AI

Technology is the defining feature of crime today and cybercrime poses one of the biggest threats to modern society. This module investigates the rapidly evolving range and nature of electronic crime, threat actors’ motivations and techniques, and how individuals, organisations, and governments can reduce such risks.

Methods and Analysis in Criminology

Building on the learning gained from Researching Criminal Worlds, here you will refine the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct your own investigation, analyse your data, and present your findings. These are essential skills for all criminologists and invaluable preparation for the third year dissertation.

Global Crime

No understanding of crime and justice can be complete without recognising the transnational nature of much criminal activity and, therefore, the need for cooperation between policing agencies. This module explores how perceptions of the nature and extent of crime have expanded and diversified in a globalised world.

Crime Scene Investigation

In this module, you will discover how to gather crime scene evidence, consider the appropriate application of such evidence and appreciate the necessity for procedural rules in practice. The module takes you on a journey through investigation practice all the way to Crown Court.

Core modules

Issues in Forensic Psychology

Crime and punishment is an expansive topic, relevant to all of us in different ways. The reach of psychology in this field is extensive, encompassing the study of both criminals and those involved in the criminal justice system, as well as broader issues in society. This module will explore various areas of theory and research in psychology in the forensic field, with an emphasis on understanding the different sides of the debates triggered by such research. We will take an in depth look at some of the controversies in the forensic field since psychologists began taking an interest in it and develop a ‘critical’ understanding of the role psychology in today’s criminal justice systems and in wider society.

Dangerous Offenders

In this module, you will engage in discussions covering a range of current controversies surrounding dangerousness, risk and offences committed by those offenders deemed to be a threat to the public.

Investigation of Serious Crime

The investigation of crime is a core function of the police. Requiring a focused and methodical approach, exploring the development of key processes, and linking criminological and forensic psychological theory to real life cases, you will learn how criminal investigations are run and why.

Dissertation

In this module, you will research in a discipline related to your degree programme. You will synthesise knowledge from other modules to support the development of a research project that is relevant to your subject area. You will work with a supervisor and will utilise a range of research and academic skills to produce a written dissertation that demonstrates a systematic approach to the research process.

Optional modules

Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.

Cognition and Consciousness

You will introduce you to many different ways to look at how we both think about, and interact with, the world. Ever wondered exactly why memory can be so wrong? Or how we learn language? Have you ever wondered how we can even go about measuring something as complicated as consciousness? In this module, you will develop an understanding of how we think about the way we interact with the world, and how psychology approaches the question of consciousness.

Conceptualising Psychopathology

How and why do psychological disorders develop? What keeps them going? And how do we use this knowledge to intervene with evidence-based treatments that work? You will explore the importance of psychological processes in the experience of mental illness, and the role of behaviour and emotion in current trends with a particular focus on the link between research, theory, assessment, and intervention. This module will provide you with a rare opportunity to develop some of the clinical knowledge and understanding required of mental health practitioners working in primary care and prepare you for a range of mental health training roles.

Quality Stats: An Assortment of Advanced Analytical Methods

The module will build on the quantitative and qualitative research skills you've gained in the methods and practical modules at Levels 4 and 5 and will provide support for you using advanced analytical methods as part of your applied psychology project. The module will introduce a range of advanced techniques that have not been previously covered in other modules. This will involve reinforcing previous techniques in order to locate those which will be covered in this module. Quantitative techniques will be demonstrated using the SPSS statistical software package. Emphasis will be placed on the value of both qualitative and quantitative techniques in psychological research and how they are reported.

Terrorism and Political Violence

This module will assess the nature of contemporary “terrorism” by examining definitional disputes and motivational dynamics. Particular manifestations of political violence will be evaluated in detail, which will require a focus on aims, strategy and tactics.

Police, Law and Community

This module explores the legal foundations and development of the police, the impacts on the communities that are policed, and the ongoing relationship between the two. Crime prevention and analysis issues are examined and related to criminological theory and twenty-first century policing challenges.

Gangs, Drugs and Alcohol

The impact of alcohol and drugs on the perpetration of crime and deviance is significant. Drawing on national and global perspectives, this module navigates the complex areas of crime, health, addiction, government strategy, and multi-agency co-operation to understand offending and victimisation related to drugs, alcohol, and gangs.