BSc (Honours) Criminology and Psychology

UCAS code

MC98

Attendance

Full-time

Three years full-time

At a glance

Study the thoughts and behaviours of criminals and their victims to understand the psychological dimensions of crime. You get up-to-date perspectives on both criminology and psychology from staff working in two active research centres. You also have opportunities to gain experience and knowledge on academic exchanges and industry placements during the course.

Key points
ХаGain a psychological perspective on crime and society.
ХаMaximise your career prospects with work-based learning and overseas exchanges.
ХаBenefit from the research and expertise from two key subject centres.
ХаOption to become British Psychological Society accredited through further study.

What is criminology and psychology?
Criminology explores crime, criminality and criminal justice institutions and processes.

Psychology focuses on the individual and the influence of psychological perspectives in understanding human behaviour.

About this course

Gain a psychological perspective on the causes and effects of various types of crime. You gain an insight into why individuals might be involved in crime and learn to assess whether treatment, rehabilitation or punishment is the most appropriate response.

By studying both psychology and criminology, you gain a broad perspective on how society and government respond to a variety of crimes, as well as why people behave in the way that they do in a general context.

You benefit from teaching staff who are active in two research centres Ц Hallam Centre for Community Justice and our Centre for Research on Human Behaviour. Thanks to this involvement with research we can offer course content that is up-to-date and teaching perspectives that are of a very high standard.

You have the opportunity to go on placements, or work-based learning, or benefit from study abroad. All students can take a credited placement module (based in the workplace) or a simulation module (taught by practitioners in the classroom) in the second and third year. Previous placement students have worked with organisations such as South Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Probation Trust and SOVA.

International academic exchanges take place in the second semester of your second year.

As well as being prepared for a career in criminology, criminal and community justice areas, you also gain skills that make you attractive to all employers. These skills include Х information gathering and analysis Х problem solving Х presentation skills Х organisational and time management skills Х critical thinking and analysis Х report writing Х the ability to construct an argument based on sound evidence Х equality and diversity awareness.

Key areas of study
Gain a foundation in key areas of criminology and criminal justice and psychology in your first year. Then specialise with optional modules such as Х crime prevention Х gender Х hate and bias crime Х mentally disordered offenders Х cognitive processes Х psychological development Х forensic psychology.

Associated careers

You can find careers in areas such as Х the police service Х the probation service Х the prison service Х youth work Х victim support work Х citizen's advice work Х community liaison work.

Roles include Х mental health support worker Х assistant psychologist Х youth offending Х service project worker Х offender advocates.

Course content

Year one modules

Х cognitive processes and individual differences Х the psychology of development and social behaviour Х social thinking and reflection Х researching society Х criminological foundations Х criminal justice

Year two modules

Х thinking, learning and cognition Х psychology of development Х individual differences, personality and intelligence Х criminology theory in a contemporary world Х crime and punishment Х researching criminology Х critical thinking and career management Х applied social psychology

Year two options

There is a range of optional modules to choose from based on Х debates within criminal justice Х types of crime (such as cyber crime, violent crime, drug-related crime) Х crime from different viewpoints (youth, gender, race) Х forensic psychology Х animal psychology Х cognitive and developmental psychology Х counselling and psychotherapy.

Year three core module

Х dissertation

Year three options

There is a range of optional modules to choose from based on Х critiquing criminal justice policy Х appreciating justice (such as human rights) Х the impact of crime Х types of crime Х criminal justice agencies Х child development Х psychology and social structure (including organisations, work, environment) Х mental health Х identity Х sports psychology Х understanding bereavement.

Assessment

Х essays Х projects Х research reports Х workbooks Х portfolios Х examinations Х dissertation in year three

Entry requirements

2014 entry requirements

GCSE mathematics and English language at grade C or above. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following

Х 280 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications. We accept general studies, and up to two AS levels. We do not consider Key Skills.

Х Access Ц at least 45 credits at level 3 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course

If English is not your first language you need an IELTS average score of 6.5 with at least 6.5 in reading and writing and a minimum score of 5.5 in all other skills

We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.

Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.

2013 entry requirements

GCSE mathematics and English language at grade C or above. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following

Х 280 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications. We accept general studies, and up to two AS levels. We do not consider Key Skills.

Fees

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically г10,680 a year

2014/15 academic year

Typically г11,250 a year

How to apply

You apply for this course through UCAS.

Contact details

For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk