BSc (Hons)Criminal Investigation with Psychology

Core modules

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

Exploring Psychology

This module provides an overview of the various approaches and schools of thought that have shaped psychology over the last century and a half – and even longer. You will learn about how psychology has developed as a scientific discipline and take a critical look at some of the key areas of psychological research.

Study Skills in Social Sciences

This module is designed give you the essential transferable skills and subject specific skills to enable you to research effectively, think critically, argue persuasively and write clearly with focus on different forms of assessment: essays, exams, presentations and reports.

Psychology across the Lifespan

On this module you will explore aspects of physical growth, cognitive change, and psychosocial development from conception through to old age. You will explore topics on typical (normative) development as well as atypical development.

Research Methods 1

This module will cover how to select a sample for your research, how to frame a question, how to critique other research studies, ethics and how it all fits together to provide a credible study of research and new knowledge.

Law, Sentencing and Punishment

This module introduces you to aspects of substantive criminal law, and the state’s (sometimes futile) efforts to capture the essence of crime and punishment in the black letter of the law.

Core modules

Brain and Behaviour

On this module, you will gain an overview of brain anatomy and how processes are localised to different areas or structures - learning about the way our nervous system is structured to help us interact with the outside world or respond to internal sensations such as pain.

Critical Issues in Criminal Investigation

This module introduces you to the essential and emerging modern thinking of merging evidence base academic research and professional practice.

Psychology of Crime

Wherever you have people living together, you have crime. As inevitable as death and taxes, crime has fascinated people for centuries. This module seeks to explore different aspects of what psychology can tell us about crime: why people commit crimes, how different crimes have vastly different psychologies underlying them, and how psychology can inform the detection and handling of criminals.

Criminological Research Methods and Skills 2

On this module you’ll learn about quantitative and qualitative approaches to analysing criminology information. Considering who/what the information relates to, how the information is obtained, what information is collected, how information is investigated and how it’s presented.

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.

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.

Placement Year

An optional placement year is available between the second (level 5) and third (level 6) years. You will be expected to find your own placement, but course staff will be able to work with you in finding a suitable placement, and you will have regular staff contact throughout the placement.

Core modules

Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation

This module will enable you to explore a subject, which you find intrinsically interesting, in significant depth and detail. You will develop your skills as critical and reflective learners capable of assimilating, evaluating and articulating relevant knowledge.

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.

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.

Justice: Future Challenges

This module considers forward thinking challenges to justice on both a local and global level. It makes an important contribution to your strategic thinking, using knowledge and an ability to see the changing landscape of justice and all the connected aspects.

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.

Drugs, Crime and Alcohol

Through this module you will navigate through this complex arena considering health implications, crime, addiction, government strategies, the charity/police and health sectors.

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.

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.