Course summary
Our exciting and versatile Forensic and Criminological Psychology degree will broaden your knowledge of the key psychological approaches, towards understanding and explaining criminal behaviour and the justice system. You'll learn about the individual and social context of crime, criminal behaviour and the Criminal Justice System from sociological, legal and psychological perspectives and how this relates to crime investigation, victimology, legal and court psychology, the role of punitive justice, treatment and rehabilitation alongside a wide spectrum of contemporary theories and other areas in psychology. If you want to investigate how psychology can help us to understand criminal behaviour and the Justice System, this course provides an excellent basis for a career in forensic psychology and criminology related areas. The course is delivered by specialist staff teaching in our multi-million-pound purpose-built Science Centre where our facilities include an observation room, psychology labs and cutting-edge equipment including equipment measuring physiological responses. You’ll investigate the theories and principles of forensic and criminological psychology and how these are applied in legal and other offender settings. The applied nature of forensic and criminological psychology is highlighted throughout the course, and you’ll carry out a varied range of tasks and assessments. You’ll be given opportunities to examine methods for collecting and analysing information, to provide the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills and receive feedback. Employability skills will also be highlighted throughout the course to ensure that you are well prepared for a wide variety of careers including the prison service, health, police, probation service, victim support and services supporting families of offenders or victims, as well as (for example) HR, teaching and the charitable sector or on to further postgraduate study. You can also incorporate a module of volunteering/research experience or a placement year as part of your degree. With only a few similar courses running across the country, it provides a firm and unique basis for postgraduate study. There is also a focus on course community and identity and the incorporation of interesting ways to learn both online and face-to-face. Across the Psychology department, our courses also consistently scoring highly in teaching and academic support across student surveys. We have a long history (25+ years) of running British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited courses. We have recently refreshed and improved our courses and as a result of this we are currently awaiting the accreditation of this new course being delivered from September 2022. Students on all undergraduate Psychology courses at Staffordshire University can opt to undertake a placement (sandwich) year; a structured work experience opportunity (lasting for 9 months) in between levels 5 and 6 which enables you to develop and implement psychology specific and transferable skills whilst getting experience in a professional working environment which is assessed through a written refelction and activity log. In level 5 as part of the Steps to Success module, all students will be supported and encouraged to engage in a voluntary work placement which will apply their knowledge and enable application of their skills gained so far. Additionally students have the option to undertake and Research Assistantship modules, which involve work placements. Previous placement locations have included Academies, YMCA, British Red Cross, Mind, fostering services, Asha, Midlands Psychology, Staffordshire University Technical Services, research assistantships, Change Grow Live, mental health and wellbeing clinics.
Modules
Level 4: Adventures in Psychology 1, Adventures in Psychology 2, Becoming a Researcher 1: Quantitative Methods, Becoming a Researcher 2: Qualitative Methods, Pathways in Forensic and Criminological Psychology. Psychology and the Justice System, Steps to Success 1 Level 5: Developmental and Biological Psychology, Quantitative Methods and Individual Differences, Theoretical and Applied Qualitative Research, Psychology of Crime and Serious Offending and Steps to Success 2 + 1 optional module (see below) Level 5 Optional Modules : People Behaving Badly (what makes people, organisations and systems behave in antisocial and atypical ways?), Psychological Interventions (how psychology can help with problems- families, counselling, health, in the workplace), Psychology Research Assistantship (gain valuable work experience by working with a member of staff on their research projects), Psychology of Social Perception (learn about how we make judgements about ourselves and others), Crime, Harm and Victimisation (investigating examine crime, harm and victimisation beyond traditional frameworks) Level 6 Core Modules: Society and the Mind, Psychology project/dissertation, Psychology Portfolio, Forensic Applications of Psychology and Steps to Success 3 + 1 optional module (see below) Level 6 Optional Modules: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (learn how to make the very most of research, using expert techniques), Behavioural Medicine (the relationships between behavioural, physiological and psychosocial processes in well-being), Children and Pictures (children’s representation of pictures and the cultural, cognitive and clinical relevance of their art), Health Psychology (learn what healthy behaviour is and how can psychologists promote and manage that healthy behaviour), Parapsychology and Anomalous Experience (ghosts, possessions, out of body experiences through the psychologist’s lens), The Psychology of Oppression and Empowerment (contemporary socio-political issues including mental health, poverty, gender/sexuality, war, politics), Neuropsychological Disorders (some of the neuropsychological problems experienced and how psychology can help)
Assessment method
Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, case studies, portfolios, presentations, advisory briefs, pitch presentations, final year independent project and multiple choice and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- CMV4
- Institution code:
- S72
- Campus name:
- Staffordshire University (Stoke Campus)
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points
A level - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM
T Level - Pass (C and above)
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £16750 | Year 1 |
International | £16750 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Staffordshire
College Road
Stoke on Trent
ST4 2DE