Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Bachelor of Science with Honours - BSH

Alternative Exit

Alternative Exit

Alternative Exit

Accreditation

British Psychological Society (BPS)

Programme Offerings

Full-Time

F2F-JMU-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

In line with the defining principles laid down in the benchmark documents, the aims of the BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology programme are to: 1. Encourage students to acquire knowledge and critical understanding of Criminological and Psychological theory and its relevance to real life and contemporary debates. 2. Develop knowledge of, and the ability to critically evaluate research methodology and methods in Criminology and Psychology. 3. Enable students to link theoretical analysis with empirical enquiry. 4. Equip students with the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills to formulate and ethically investigate psychological and criminological research questions using appropriate research methods. 5. Produce a scientific understanding of mind, brain, behaviour and experience and of the complex interactions between them. 6. Encourage students to critically evaluate responses to, and representations of, deviance, crime, harm, victimisation, punishment and justice at national, international and global levels. 7. Develop those learning, information technology, communication and reflective skills necessary to enable students to undertake independent study, and to participate in lifelong learning. 8. Develop students’ critical, analytical and evaluative skills, and transferable skills, to prepare them for graduate employment in a wide range of contexts. 9. Encourage students to engage with the development of employability skills, including the completion of a self-awareness statement. 10. Enable achievement of Graduate Membership (GM) and Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society (BPS). GBC is a pre-requisite for entry to BPS-accredited postgraduate programmes in Psychology.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts and historical perspectives in Criminology and Psychology.
2.
Interrogate the relationships between a variety of social divisions and definitions, practices and effects of crime, harm, criminal justice and criminology
3.
Synthesise insights from a range of disciplines pertaining to the relationships between crime, harm, power and the state
4.
Demonstrate competence in effective oral and written communication skills
5.
Show evidence of effective comprehension skills and use of data
6.
Demonstrate mastery of critical thinking and reasoning skills
7.
Present clear evidence of problem solving skills
8.
Demonstrate management of the data collection process and critical and ethical competence in research skills
9.
Provide evidence of evaluative and analytical skills
10.
Demonstrate competence in the effective retrieval and organisation of information
11.
Demonstrate project management skills in carrying out an extensive piece of independent empirical research, choosing and applying appropriate advanced empirical methodologies; analytical methods and the use of psychological tools
12.
Explain the basic principles of Biological Psychology
13.
Apply skills of literature search, critical review and selection of relevant sources, and systematic synthesis and treatment of material
14.
Demonstrate adaptability and versatility in computer literacy, both in use of standard software applications and in use of internet to search for information
15.
Utilise problem-solving and reasoning skills in respect to theoretical, research, policy and practice contexts and challenges
16.
Demonstrate versatility in the application of self-management of learning to manage time, effectively plan and prioritise workloads, and recognise and manage personal emotions and stress
17.
Show evidence for collaboration and co-operation in working with others in varied situations
18.
Communicate effectively via discussion, written materials and presentations (oral and poster
19.
Demonstrate breadth of knowledge in basic Cognitive Psychology
20.
Demonstrate breadth of knowledge in basic Developmental Psychology
21.
Demonstrate breadth of knowledge in basic Social Psychology
22.
Demonstrate breadth of knowledge in the basics of Personality and Individual Differences
23.
Appraise, select and utilise appropriate methods to generate empirical knowledge on a substantive Criminological/Psychological concern.
24.
Demonstrate basic competence in Psychological Applications
25.
Assess competing interpretations of crime and crime control

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching is delivered via lectures, workshops, tutorials, group work, supervision, online activities, study trips, independent learning and private study. Lectures and directed independent reading are used to introduce core knowledge. The other activities allow students to explore ideas in more depth with seminars and workshops also providing an opportunity to contribute to, and benefit from, peer learning. All of these methods are complemented by staff and student use of and interaction within the virtual learning environment to support and facilitate student learning. These approaches are consistent with the learning outcomes of each specific module. Modes of assessment used in the programme are: essays, examinations (including multiple choice, unseen, seen and ‘take-home', portfolios (skills and reading),oral presentations (seminar, group),research reports, poster presentations, case studies, article reviews, blogs, visual essays and a dissertation. Intellectual skills are strongly linked to the development of knowledge and understanding. Lectures provide the foundations of and models for students to develop and consolidate their intellectual skills, while workshops and tutorials provide opportunities for students to practice and apply these intellectual skills with feedback from tutors and peers. Individual supervision meetings support students in developing, conducting and reporting an empirical investigation in Criminology and Psychology. A variety of assessment methods is used, including examinations, essays, projects, portfolios, report, case studies and presentations. Lectures are used to introduce core knowledge and principles. Workshops, seminars and tutorials provide opportunities for students to develop skills underpinned by this knowledge through practice with feedback (from peers and tutor) and through critical reflection. Individual supervision sessions are used to support students in the development and completion of their final year project. All assessment utilized on the programme encourages students to develop practical skills. These skills and abilities are integrated into the teaching and learning activities and methods described above. They are central to every activity that is undertaken as part of study for the degree. The development of transferable skills is a core aim of the programme. Assessment methods include written assignments and examinations, together with practical skills assessment. All students seeking BPS accreditation complete a dissertation.

Opportunities for work related learning

Personal development planning is integrated into the personal tutor arrangements at Levels 4, 5 and 6. An employability focus is embedded in Level 5 in 5201CRIM Criminology into Practice and at Level 6 in 6206CRIM: International Fieldwork in Criminology.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

The programme is offered in full-time mode (3 years). The BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers graduate eligibility for both Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society and the Graduate Basis for Chartership, provided the minimum standard of a Second Class … For more content click the Read More button below.

Structure

Entry Requirements

A levels

Access awards

BTECs

GCSEs and equivalents

IELTS

International Baccalaureate

Irish awards

OCR Cambridge Technical

T levels

UCAS points

Extra Entry Requirements

Can this course be deferred?

Yes

Is a DBS check required?

No

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH04-01) psychology

(CAH15-01) sociology, social policy and anthropology