BA (Hons) Criminal Investigation with Psychology (Full Time)
Combining two closely related fields, this degree offers a fascinating insight into criminal investigation underpinned by the study of psychology.
UCAS codes
2013 Entry
- Three years Standard EntryL4C8
2012 Entry
- Three years Standard EntryL4C8
In my view
“This is a brilliant course, it covers a whole range of interesting topics and you even get to participate in practical work which gives you hands-on experience. The lecturers are also really helpful and help you to engage in seminar groups, they are very inspirational people.”
Lucy Jones
Career opportunities
Graduates have good employment prospects. Many will aim to work in roles related to their degree studies, possibly in public sector employment such as the police, prison or probation services or in private investigative or security work.
Other options utilising their understanding of offending behaviour and social context include social work, community development and charity work with offenders or those at risk. Some of these will require further professional training.
The more generic skills gained on this course have widespread relevance, including careers in immigration, customs and excise, local government work and a wide range of graduate training schemes.
Career paths include:
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the police
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prison service
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probation
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immigration
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customs and excise
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Crown Prosecution Service
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private security sector
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youth work
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public and commercial administration
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charity work
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postgraduate study.
For facts, figures and further details of graduate employability, view the career destinations PDF| for this course.
Course overview
Criminology is concerned with crime and control, the social dimensions of crime and justice, forms of crime and criminality and criminal justice structures and processes.
These academic fields relate closely to psychology, and its concern with how people think, how they act, and how they interact with one another. Psychologists seek to understand our behaviour and how our thoughts and feelings motivate our actions, while criminologists aim to understand criminal behaviour and how our thoughts and feelings help to motivate and construct the concept of crime.
This course allows you to explore the discipline of criminal investigation in the context of relevant psychological research. The aim is to integrate criminological and psychological knowledge with the investigative process, thereby aiding your understanding of the complex investigative stages of the criminal justice process.
Students receive guest lectures from a wide range of criminal justice professionals who give a detailed insight into the practical aspects of criminal justice and into potential careers in the field.
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Course content
Year 1
Six core units:
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Introduction to Cognitive, Developmental and Social Psychology
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Introduction to Abnormal, Biological and Personality Psychology
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Criminological Research Methods and Skills
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Criminal Process and Responsibility
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Crime and the Individual
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Introduction to Criminology.
Year 2
Six core units:
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Social Psychology
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Criminological Research Methods and Skills II
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Policing, Politics and Social Change
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Developmental Psychology
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Criminal Evidence and Procedure
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Critical Issues in Criminal Investigation.
Year 3
Three core units and two option units (one from Criminology and one from Psychology):
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Project Design and Dissertation
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Crime, Risk and Community Safety
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Leadership and Management in Context
Options:
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Dangerous Offenders
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Landmark Cases in Criminal Justice
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Security, Policing and the State
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Alcohol, Drugs and Crime
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Crime and Media Culture
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Political Violence and Counter Terrorism in Northern Ireland
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The Psychology of Crime
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Visual Perception
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Work and Occupational Psychology
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Advanced Statistical Analysis
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Curriculum Plus.
Why choose this course?
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Field trips to a variety of relevant locations depending on the chosen study pathway. Recent excursions have included Washington DC with visits to the Department of Justice, the Pentagon, and The British Embassy, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Old Bailey, England’s Central Criminal Court.
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Guest lectures from a wide range of criminal justice professionals including serving and former police detectives, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the National Offender Management Service, and the Crown Prosecution Service.
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Extra-curricular activities including a Criminology Society and a Crime Film Programme to explore criminological issues in an informal context.
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A supportive staff team with wide-ranging experience in the field of criminology.
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Options range from alcohol, drugs and crime to political violence in Northern Ireland.
Assessment
A wide and innovative variety of methods are used, ranging from conventional essays and exams to group and individual projects and presentations.
Key career skills
Research methods, critical analysis and interpretation of information, communication, teamworking and leadership.
Projects/work experience
The department has many strong partnerships with organisations in the criminal justice sector. Our students are encouraged to gain voluntary positions and work experience and a dedicated member of staff is available to help them access placements.
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Every year a number of our students are given the opportunity to complete an internship at the Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO). Having gained practical experience within the policing environment, all of the students are now employed by ACRO.
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Many of our students gain valuable experience as Special Constables and
others act on various criminal justice panels, such as the Youth Offenders panel.
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Future volunteering opportunities will include placements in Witness and Victim Services.