BSc (Hons)Criminology and Psychology

Core modules

Introduction to Criminology

Approaching offending from a range of perspectives, this module explores the impact of key social divisions on crime and justice. Themes such as ethnicity, sexuality, power, and class, are used to examine crime and deviance within the contexts of our social environment, cultures, and communities.

Thinking and Writing Psychologically

Why do people, think, act, and feel the way they do? In this era of unreliable news and abundance of untested theories, any serious attempt to answer this question would have to take a careful and measured approach. Often described as the scientific study of mind and behaviour, Psychology is an attempt to do just that. This module will begin to get to grips with what is meant by the ‘mind’ and ‘behaviour’, and – crucially – the reasons why Psychology adopts a scientific approach in trying to answer the big questions about the mental processes and behaviours of our own species and others. Ultimately, the emphasis of this module is on getting you to think and communicate like a Psychologist.

Beginning as a Researcher

In our day-to-day lives we tend to make judgements about human behaviour in a subjective manner using anecdotal evidence. You will be introduced to qualitative and quantitative research approaches used in psychology to study human behaviour in an objective and systematic way. This will enable you to make informed decisions as to people’s actions and motivations.

Developing as a Researcher

By knowing more about the research process that is used to study psychology and the basic steps that are used, you can better understand the process researchers go through to arrive at conclusions about human behaviour. This module will develop and enhance your skills in conducting data analysis from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective.

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

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.

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.

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.

Psychological Research Training

This module further develops your understanding of theoretical and practical issues concerned with psychological research and will enable you to advance the skills required for the conduct of investigations and the presentation of findings. You will acquire knowledge of investigation design and methodology with associated essential techniques (such as a variety of statistical and/or qualitative techniques) that are applied in empirical research.

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.

Wellbeing Across the Lifespan

With more awareness of mental health issues, there is an increasing focus on how to support wellbeing. Positive psychology focuses on optimal human functioning and what makes life fulfilling. Although the positive side of human functioning is often neglected within psychology, this is not so for developmental psychologists who typically focus on adaptability and positive functioning. This module explores how taking a developmental perspective can aid our understanding of how to live well at every stage of life. The aim of the module is to develop your psychological literacy, the ability to apply what you know from studying developmental psychology in your first year, to understanding how positive psychology can improve wellbeing. You will explore how positive psychology techniques can help people flourish throughout the lifespan, and how you too can lead a flourishing life.

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

Applying Psychology to Professional Practice

This module will help you to continue your development as a reflective practitioner by identifying and reflecting on your skill development over the course of your degree and in a short work placement. This will give enable you to further develop your professional skills such as: ethical competence; cultural competence; and evidence-based practice. You will gain knowledge of the work of a Practitioner Psychologist and related roles and will explore some examples of the type of work a practitioner psychologist would do. You will reflect on your work experience, skills, and areas for development which will contribute to a development plan for when you graduate.

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.

Applied Psychology Research Project

Is there an area of psychology that really interests you? Is there a psychological study that you’d like to replicate? Is there a psychological topic that you think is under researched that you’d like to investigate? If so, then this is the module for you! This module allows you to independently research an area of psychology that really interests you and gives you the opportunity to enhance and showcase the psychological knowledge you’ve acquired and the research skills and ethical understanding you’ve developed throughout your degree course. This module allows you to independently conduct and write up a piece of psychological research. This will require you to research an area of psychology of your own choosing.

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.

Optional modules

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

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.

Crime, Gender and Sexuality

This criminology module offers you an insight into the intrinsic relationships between crime, gender, and sexuality, studying sexual offences such as rape and sexual abuse, as well as other serious crimes.