Psychology with Criminology BSc (Hons) DPS/DIntS

What you'll study

Excited to learn more? For a taster of what you can expect to study on our Psychology with Criminology BSc (Hons) course, take a sneak preview of some of the modules you may have the opportunity to study below.

The information below reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. Please see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Final year

Semester 1 & 2

Academic and Professional Skills for Psychology with Criminology Core

Academic and Professional Skills for Psychology with Criminology

This module will introduce students to the academic and professional skills needed to study psychology and criminology at university level, and to begin to identify career pathways. Lectures will cover how to find and use information in a scholarly way, develop critical thinking skills, think and work ethically and with academic integrity, identifying and developing career pathways, and the scientific and practical bases of psychology. Practical and tutorial work will support the lectures through discussions and exercises.

Semester 1

Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology Core

Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology

The aim of this module is for the student to develop an appreciation of key philosophical, historical, and conceptual issues which provided the foundation for, and which continue to influence, contemporary psychology.

Foundations in Quantitative Research Methods Core

Foundations in Quantitative Research Methods

Students will gain a basic understanding of the process of conducting quantitative data collection and analysis for psychological research. This includes skills relating to experimental design, data collection and basic statistical procedures.

Foundations in Qualitative Research Methods Core

Foundations in Qualitative Research Methods

The module introduces students to the basic theory, practice and procedures for using qualitative research methods in psychology.

Foundations in Social Psychology Core

Foundations in Social Psychology

The aim of this module is to introduce students to central concepts, theories and studies in social psychology.

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy A Core

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy A

The scope and purpose of the disciplines of Criminology and Social Policy; the links between criminal and social issues; criminology and social policy's links with economic policy and politics; formulation and implementation of policies; criminal and social policy and legislation; criminology and social policy as evaluation and prescription; theoretical approaches to crime policies and welfare provision; constitution of a social problem or issue; introductory analysis of criminal and social issues and social arrangements to deal with them.

Semester 2

Foundations in Cognitive Psychology Core

Foundations in Cognitive Psychology

This module will introduce the student to the range and scope of cognitive psychology, from its 19th century roots to its modern computational approach, covering fundamental issues in perception, language and memory.

Foundations in Biological Psychology Core

Foundations in Biological Psychology

The aim of this module is for the student to understand biological psychology which describes the relation between the brain and various types of behaviour.

Foundations in Developmental Psychology Core

Foundations in Developmental Psychology

This module provides students with an understanding of some of the principal areas of developmental psychology, particularly aspects of cognitive and social development.

Psychology Practicals A Core

Psychology Practicals A

The module provides students with practical experience of psychological research and to introduce them to the technical skills required to conduct, analyse and present psychological research.

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy B Core

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy B

The module covers a range of social policy issues and the policies designed to address them, including the political ideologies that underpin historical and contemporary developments in the welfare state. It also focuses on more contemporary examples.

Crime and Social Welfare: Policy in Practice Core

Crime and Social Welfare: Policy in Practice

The exploration of the practical implementation of criminology and social policy. The work of some criminal justice and social policy professions and professionals; operation of agencies; consideration of practice in several criminological and social policy areas.

Semester 1

Quantitative Research Methods Core

Quantitative Research Methods

The aim is for the student to understand the theory and application of multiple regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Human Cognition Core

Human Cognition

Student will develop an understanding of the current central areas of theory and research within cognitive psychology.

Qualitative Research Methods Core

Qualitative Research Methods

The aim is for students to develop a sophisticated theoretical and practical understanding of qualitative research methods in psychology.

Developmental Psychology Core

Developmental Psychology

The module builds on Part A PSA500 Foundations in Developmental Psychology to introduce students to key contemporary topics and issues in Developmental Psychology, and the application of psychological research with children and young people to real-world contexts.

Operational Policing Issues Core

Operational Policing Issues

The module will address the following topics: the role of the modern police in a democratic society; historical changes in policing styles; the nature of the contemporary policing style known as 'fire brigade' policing; the conflict of loyalties and interests that police officers often face and that may lead to illegal action; the nature and causes of police deviancy; the role of community policing; the nature of police accountability; police professionalism and hegemony; policing and race relations; the service role; police and technology; the peace-keeping role; paramilitary policing.

Semester 2

Personality and Individual Differences Core

Personality and Individual Differences

Students will gain an understanding of the nature, possible causes, consistency, stability and assessment of individual differences (differential psychology) with a particular but not exclusive emphasis on the study of personality.

Psychology Practical's B Core

Psychology Practical's B

The aim of the module is for the student to gain an understanding of the process of conducting psychological research. This includes skills relating to empirical design, data collection and the reporting of research findings.

Brain and Behaviour I Core

Brain and Behaviour I

The module gives students an insight in the biochemical basis of behaviour and provides an overview of the most common psychopathological disorders.

Social Psychology Core

Social Psychology

Building on Part A SSA151 Foundations in Social Psychology, this module focuses on competing findings, theoretical perspectives and schools of thought in social psychology. Focusing on a series of key debates, attention will be paid to the ways in which ideas in social psychology develop, and the ways in which social psychologists construct arguments and use evidence to support one point of view over others.

Criminological Theory Core

Criminological Theory

The historical development of criminology as an academic discipline and its key concepts and theories. This will include, but not be limited to classical criminology, positivist criminology, and social learning theories, strain theory, labelling and interactionist theories, radical/Marxist and critical criminology, realist criminology, feminist approaches, rational choice theory and offender decision making; risk theory and social control, state crime and public criminology.

Semester 1 & 2

Independent Research Project Core

Independent Research Project

Semester 1

Crime Prevention Core

Crime Prevention

Forensic Psychology Optional

Forensic Psychology

The aim of this module is for students to understand and evaluate critically the contribution made by psychologists to criminal and forensic issues.

Psychology of Workplace Health Optional

Psychology of Workplace Health

The aim of this module is to develop students' understanding of contemporary issues in occupational health including the application of psychological theory and the role of psychologists in promoting and managing workplace health, well-being and safety.

Psychology of PE and Youth Sport Optional

Psychology of PE and Youth Sport

The module aim is to provide students with a critical, in-depth examination of key psychological issues in physical education and youth sport settings.

Advanced Experimental and Qualitative Design and Analysis Optional

Advanced Experimental and Qualitative Design and Analysis

For those students interested in developing their applied research knowledge and skills to an advanced level. This module aims to provide the students with advanced knowledge in both quantitative and qualitative research design and analysis.

Psychology of Eating Behaviour Optional

Psychology of Eating Behaviour

The overall aim of this module is to develop students' understanding of human eating behaviour from a variety of perspectives.

Social Psychology of Everyday Life Optional

Social Psychology of Everyday Life

The module aims are to introduce the ways in which social psychology can be used to examine everyday life, the methods used to study social psychological topics, everyday life and to identify social psychological phenomena in a range of everyday contexts, behaviours and activities.

Psychology and Health Optional

Psychology and Health

The aim of this module is for the student to examine the relationship between health and human behaviour and explore the contribution of psychology to the management of public and personal health.

Semester 2

Criminal Justice System in England and Wales Core

Criminal Justice System in England and Wales

Criminology of Violence Optional

Criminology of Violence

Crime and Deviance in Sport Optional

Crime and Deviance in Sport