Psychology with Criminology BSc Honours

In this module, you will become acquainted with the dynamic nature of crime across law, politics, society, and culture. The module challenges conventional perceptions of crime, exploring its contested essence over time and space. Emphasis is placed on understanding the impact of social factors on crime constructions including issues of class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and religion.

This module facilitates an exploration of the intricate relationship between crime, culture and society and the seeming paradox between society’s fear of crime and fascination with violent crime. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of contemporary criminology’s major theoretical approaches this foundation is crucial in building knowledge and understanding of diverse perspectives on crime thereby helping to form a cornerstone for further studies. The module also facilitates the development of key academic skills including the synthesis and interpretation of information and research data, the construction of oral and written assignments and citation and referencing.

This module introduces the diversity and breadth of approaches in the discipline of psychology and the many ways psychologists study the human mind, brain and behaviour. Research informed topical introductions will be provided in selected areas of individual differences, cognitive and biological psychology. As well as a theoretical introduction and overview to these characteristic approaches adopted within these areas of psychology, you are encouraged to adopt a reflective and critical perspective on the subject matter covered. These topics will also be considered in the context of future employability and career trajectories for students. Throughout the module you will be encouraged to consider both commonalities and diversities in human thoughts, feelings and behaviours facilitating an inclusive approach to learning.

This module introduces the diversity and breadth of approaches in the discipline of psychology and the many ways psychologists study the human mind, mental health, development and societal influences. Research informed topical introductions will be provided in selected areas of mental health, developmental and social psychology. As well as a theoretical introduction and overview to these areas of psychology, students are encouraged to adopt a reflective and critical perspective on the subject matter covered. This module challenges some westernised approaches to psychology and introduces you to diverse ideas and theories that question traditional psychological approaches. You will be encouraged to consider both commonalities and diversities in human thoughts, feelings and behaviours facilitating an inclusive approach to learning.

The module introduces you to the principles and practice of qualitative and quantitative psychological research, with a focus on research questions and design, and data collection, preparation and analysis. Additionally, the module emphasises the importance of co-leadership, fostering collaborative skills essential in modern research environments. You will be given hands-on experience with qualitative and quantitative data handling and analysis procedures, developing digital literacy to effectively utilise relevant software tools so that you are equipped with the necessary skills for a technologically driven research and employment environment. You will also be provided with opportunities to develop skills in the dissemination of and critical interpretation of research outputs.

This British Psychological Society (BPS) core module gives you an overview of biological and cognitive psychology. Research informed teaching will focus on topics covering the brain, body and mind, including the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and how this relates to cognition. The module is focused on aspects of behaviour that have a clear biological component with an emphasis on individual differences in biology. Through a series of specialised psychophysiology lab sessions, you will investigate central and peripheral nervous system activity and their relation to behaviour. The lab sessions provide a practical and hands on learning experience. You will get an introduction to personality psychology and how this relates to biopsychology and cognitive science.

This module introduces you to areas of employment that can be considered for criminology career pathways. It facilitates your engagement with various crime control, offending and support services professions and provides opportunities to explore the knowledge and skills required to perform in related positions. The module also fosters an awareness of critical reflection and ethical behaviours and the implications for professional practice and conduct. Additionally, the module supports your ability to utilise information and tools relevant to personal and professional development thereby providing practical opportunities to advance employability goals.

This BPS core module develops the depth and breadth of your understanding of primary and contemporary theory and research in social psychology and developmental psychology. Throughout the module, the subject matter is introduced through topic-focused group presentations, research workshops and laboratory investigations. A focus on developmental psychology will see you study the biological, social, emotional, and cognitive changes that occur from birth, through infancy, childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood. In social psychology, interpersonal and intergroup processes will be studied with the objective of developing your understanding of human sociality in everyday life. You are required to adopt a reflective and critical perspective on the subject matter covered. 

The module enables you to understand and evaluate psychological research and to understand how research design relates to research questions. It provides you with skills in a variety of statistical analyses and enables them to conduct ethical psychological research utilising quantitative methods. It will further develop your competency with statistical software including data handling skills so that they are equipped to produce data-based reports in research and workplace contexts. 

This module introduces the diversity and breadth of approaches to qualitative research in the discipline of psychology. The module will empower you to understand and evaluate psychological research and to understand how research design relates to research questions. It provides you with skills in a variety of qualitative methods and enables you to conduct ethical psychological research utilising qualitative methods. It provides the foundation for interpretation and critical discussion of published psychological research. These topics will also be considered in the context of future employability and career trajectories for you. You will be encouraged to consider both commonalities and diversities in human thoughts, feelings and behaviours, facilitating an inclusive approach to learning. 

The module will explore key policy topics linked to crime, deviance, harm and criminal justice across different global contexts. It will support you in developing a critical awareness of how and why policy is designed and implemented and how it impacts offending, victimisation, harms and criminal justice responses. It will critically explore different areas of society, such as education and gender and citizenship, to develop knowledge and understanding of the links between contemporary policies and criminological outcomes. In response to the topics explored, you will develop an awareness of alternative approaches and ideological perspectives. 

This module explores the application of psychology to social problems in the areas of crime, conflict and violence, taking into account individual, group and social factors. It considers how individuals and groups become involved in, and perpetuate, these problematic behaviours, and also considers the consequences for victims, government and justice responses, and approaches to prevention. The module introduces you to a range of applied approaches and develops your capacity to respond proactively to real world problems. Forensic psychology will also be considered in the context of future employability and career trajectories for students. You will be encouraged to consider both commonalities and diversities in human thoughts, feelings and behaviours facilitating an inclusive approach to learning.

This module engages you in a substantial research project on a topic of your choice within the field of psychology, supported by group activities that facilitate the development of research skills, collaboration, and practical application of psychological theories and methods. Through this blend of individual and group work, you will enhance your understanding of psychological research methods, data analysis, and the ethical considerations inherent in psychological research.

This module offers advanced level study of topics in coaching psychology. It offers you a blend of academic study, practical experience, and personal development. It facilitates your development of critical thinking, independent learning, reflective learning and specialised listening and communication skills. It introduces basic skills of coaching-based empirical psychological research. The module encourages you to explore further training in coaching and coaching psychology as part of your professional and career development.

Cognitive neuroscience is the study of brain states and how such brain states are related to behaviour and cognition. Many of the recent advances in the field are due to the rapid development and use of technology that allows us to infer what the brain is doing during different psychological states. This module introduces you to the theory that underpins cognitive neuroscience techniques such as EEG, TMS, fMRI, TES. It provides a hands-on approach to learning how to use them and how these techniques are adopted to better understand brain in times of disease and damage. You will have the chance to learn how to use advanced equipment by practising with it. Learning these practical skills to engage critical thinking skill will equip you with skills and knowledge needed in a variety of contemporary workplaces and further study.

This module introduces you to core aspects of evolutionary theory and demonstrates the application of evolutionary theory to behaviour. It covers how behaviour can be regarded as the product of biological evolution. It also discusses how evolutionary approaches complement other frameworks and add another level of explanation to scientific understanding. You will cover various different evolutionary approaches including ethology, behavioural ecology and evolutionary psychology, discussing key findings and methodological differences.

This module introduces you to the ways in which psychological theories and methods contribute to our understanding of elite sport performance.  It will help you understand the psychological, behavioural and social determinants of elite sport performance. You will gain insight into how the applications of sport psychology, from a practitioners’ perspective, may lead to working with skilled performers, and the development of time-management, communication and problem-solving skills. The module covers the importance of collaboration, teamwork, adaptation and flexibility will be emphasised.

This module introduces the diversity and breadth of approaches in the discipline of occupational/workplace psychology. The module will introduce theories with a focus on the role of stress in the workplace. You will also gain an understanding of work-life balance and the real-world applications of promoting good work-life balance and engage with some of the critical debates around the area. The topics in these sessions will highlight the diversity of individuals in the workplace and how this can impact your experiences of work-life balance, stress and motivation. Since this module focuses on employment-based topics, the content will be relevant to you beyond your degree and can be carried into your chosen areas of employment particularly those who are planning to go into Human Resources, Occupational Psychology or wish to pursue a postgraduate course in this area.

This module will provide a comprehensive survey of the living primates with a focus of research in the wild (ethology) and in the psychology lab (comparative psychology). In recent years, experimental and observational research in primate behaviour and cognition has exploded, and this primatology module will provide you with up-to-date knowledge of the major areas of study. The primatology module provides a rich learning opportunity for you and help you understand the foundations of human nature that we share with our primate cousins. You will be encouraged to consider both commonalities and diversities between humans and other primates.

This module provides an opportunity to plan career and/or study goals for life after graduation and reflect on, and improve, employment skills. You will get a deeper understanding of the relationship between psychological concepts and work-based practice. This module prepares you to apply for postgraduate study and/or graduate employment after graduation.

This module introduces the diversity and breadth of approaches to visual research in the discipline of psychology. It covers a range of contemporary visual research methods and develops your capacity in the application of different methods of collecting, analysing, and disseminating visual data in psychological research, with a focus on developing visual responses to the sustainable development goals. Visual psychology will also be considered in the context of your future employability. You will be encouraged to consider both commonalities and diversities in human thoughts, feelings and behaviours facilitating an inclusive approach to learning.

You will mostly be studying at the Hatchcroft building on our leafy north London campus in Hendon.

During your placement module or placement year you will be based at your placement location.

During your first year, your weekly timetable will typically consist of:

• 7.5 hours of engaging sessions
• 1-2 hours of tutorials
• 4 hours of lab classes/workshops.

Independent learning

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.

Teaching vs independent learning

Here is an indication of how you will split your time:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop the skills relevant to your degree from research and practical skills to critical thinking. Our Sheppard Library is open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Sunday during term time. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus, even over the weekend.

We use a diverse range of assessment methods and options for you to showcase your knowledge. This inclusive approach encompasses continual formative feedback, offering varied forms of feedback throughout the learning process. The assessment methods include authentic assessments such as case-study reports, written reports, essays, short answer texts, article reviews, portfolios, presentations, and research dissertations.  
 
This diverse and inclusive approach provides you with opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding in alignment with your individual strengths, preferences, and learning styles. 

The above learning, teaching and assessment will be designed to develop and assess these graduate competencies  

1.Curiosity and learning,   
2.collaborative innovation,   
3.resilience and adaptability,   
4.technological agility,   
5.entrepreneurship,   
6.communication, empathy, and inclusion,   
7.leadership and influence,   
8.problem solving and delivery. 

To help you achieve the best results, we will provide regular feedback.