BSc (Hons) Criminological Psychology with Foundation Year

Why study this subject?

Our BSc (Hons) Criminological Psychology with Foundation Year course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and is a recognised qualification by employers throughout the country. This course combines studying the core areas of psychology with applied areas of forensic psychology, victimology and psychology in the criminal justice system.

This course looks at how psychology furthers our understanding of criminal behaviour and will give you the opportunity to get involved in research in the social, developmental, cognitive and biological dimensions of the subject.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

At BNU, we explore every aspect of psychology on our wide range of courses. Our teaching department is home to an incredible community of Psychology and Social Science students who can collaborate with you on projects, providing a rich supply of volunteers when you run your own experiments.

Your learning won’t just take place in a lecture theatre – you’ll have the chance to learn in labs and seminar rooms, gaining the skills that you’ll need when you start your exciting career.

BNU prides itself on teaching practical skills wherever and whenever we can, meaning you will always leave us feeling confident and prepared for your future. This hands-on approach will give you a sense of what it’s really like to work in the world of psychology and criminology, in whatever career you choose.

There are many roles for psychology graduates within the Criminal Justice System such as the courts, prisons and probation services. We’ve designed this course to teach you all you need to know about the underlying principles of psychology used to great effect in various forensic settings.

Our strong links with several local prisons will ensure you’ll be exposed to psychology in an applied context and we regularly invite guest speakers to provide additional insight to the worlds of forensic and clinical psychology.

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and is a recognised qualification by employers throughout the country. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) and from there you can take your next steps to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

What facilities can I use?

On our BSc (Hons) Criminological Psychology programme, you’ll take part in laboratory and computing workshops where you’ll have the practical use of software used by social scientists in the presentation of research data.

You’ll also have the opportunity to use our state-of-the-art observation laboratory to engage in the measurement of psycho-physiological responses using Biopac©. You’ll be able to measure the activity of the cardiovascular system, brain, autonomic nervous system and more. You’ll also have access to Tobii eye tracking equipment and HTC Vive, a virtual reality software, meaning you can push the boundaries and get creative with your research ideas!

Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments – you’ll have access to hundreds of specialist books, articles and online journals. Not to mention there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study time.

We’ll also sign you up to our Virtual Learning Environment which means you’ll have access to lots of online resources wherever you are!

How will I be taught and assessed?

This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

You’ll be introduced to the core areas of psychology within the British Psychological Society Curriculum and criminology before moving on to explore more complex issues and theories throughout your time on the course.

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, classroom-based activities and workshops, independent learning methods and practical sessions.

You’ll always be encouraged to think critically about the ideas you engage with on this course and you’ll be given the opportunity to explore and discuss those ideas with your tutors and fellow students.

Whilst studying at BNU, you’ll also be given the opportunity to visit prisons and courts and hear from external speakers who can provide you with a deeper understanding of the subject from their ‘real-life’ experience.

You’ll work alone on your assignments, researching and critically engaging with your work. You’ll also participate in group assignments to coordinate presentations, both of which will provide you with useful transferrable skills for the future. You’ll be assessed through a number of methods including poster presentations, essays and assignments, examinations, oral presentations, laboratory/research reports and an empirical dissertation in your final year.

Placements Plus

BNU is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.

We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.

Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student, to increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.