Psychology (Forensic and Criminal)

Module details: This module will develop your knowledge of key areas in psychology, including social psychology, developmental psychology, and individual differences. You will explore how social influences shape thoughts and behaviours, how cognitive, social, and emotional development occurs across the lifespan, and how individuals differ in these processes. By evaluating different explanations for human behaviour, you will consider real-life applications, such as the impact of social media, peer influences, neurodiversity, and identity formation. This knowledge is essential for further study on social and developmental psychology and is valuable for careers in education, healthcare, social care, and community settings.

How you'll learn: This module is delivered through lectures and seminars, covering conceptual, theoretical, cultural, and historical perspectives on behaviour, identity, and individual differences. Lectures will link content to current affairs, while seminars will include interactive activities such as quizzes, discussions, and practical research exercises. You will explore real-world applications, such as identity formation and intelligence testing, while developing teamwork and self-reflection skills. These transferable skills will benefit various career paths, and seminar activities will also support you in preparing for assessments.

Assessment: You will be assessed through a poster and a portfolio, which will enhance your skills in presentation design, communication, and the ability to summarise, synthesise, evaluate, and apply psychological knowledge. These skills are essential for further study and postgraduate education, as well as highly valued by employers, supporting your future career development.

Module overview: In this module, you’ll explore key criminological issues through a harm-based, or Zemiological, lens and the challenges faced in studying white-collar crimes. You’ll focus on crimes of the powerful—like corporate, environmental, state, and white-collar crimes—that are often overlooked despite causing significant harm.  . 

You’ll also examine drug use and policies, which are notoriously over criminalised, despite the harm they cause. Through critical perspectives, the module will be looking at drug subcultures, policy history, media narratives, and broader issues like race, class, human rights, and the war on drugs. The module also considers debates around legalisation and the real-world impact on policy and practice. 

How you’ll learn: You will explore the key topics of the module while also building useful skills for future jobs. You’ll take part in mini-taught sessions to cover the key ideas, followed by student-led tasks, workshops, or exercises. These might include reading and presenting, interactive activities, group work, problem-solving tasks, discussions, debates, or quizzes to help you get involved and understand the material better.

Assessment: You will be assessed through a poster and an essay.  

Module details: In this module, you will explore the fundamental processes underlying human cognition and the relationship between physiological functions and mental processes. Key topics include learning, perception, attention, memory, and language, alongside the neurobiological basis of psychological experiences. Using current neuroscience research, you will develop an understanding of how biological factors influence cognition. Through theoretical study and empirical research, you will gain essential knowledge for further study, postgraduate education, and careers in psychology, neuroscience, and related fields, enhancing your academic and professional development.

How you'll learn: In this module, lectures and seminars will explore conceptual, historical, and contemporary ideas in cognitive and biological psychology. Lectures will cover key concepts and theories relating to topics in cognition and neuroscience. Seminars will include practical activities to apply theories from lectures and provide support for assessments, encouraging critical engagement with the material.

Assessment: In this module, you will be assessed through a presentation and a portfolio, enabling you to further develop skills in effective communication, critical handling of materials, and scientific reasoning to explore alternative approaches and solutions—key competencies for your future studies and employment.

Module details: In this module, you will expand your understanding of research approaches and data analysis methods in pPsychology and related fields. You will develop skills in advanced quantitative and qualitative analysis, including ANOVAs, regression, psychometrics, and qualitative methods like interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and discourse analysis. This knowledge will be essential for your degree, particularly your independent research project in Year 3. More broadly, mastering research methods will enhance your ability to evaluate evidence throughout your studies. These skills are also highly valuable for postgraduate study and a wide range of careers that require data analysis and critical thinking.

How you'll learn: This module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops, with lectures covering key concepts and theories in data analysis. In workshops, you will apply this knowledge by developing and conducting research studies, analysing data, and engaging in activities that support your assessments.

Assessment: You will be assessed through a qualitative and a quantitative research report, where you will describe the study's background and methods, analyse a dataset, and interpret the findings in the context of existing research. These assessments will enhance your research, data analysis, and written communication skills, which are essential for your degree, postgraduate studies, and a wide range of careers.

Module details: In this module, you will apply your knowledge of psychological research methods and data analysis to design, conduct, and report on an independent research project. You will formulate research questions, collect and analyse data, and interpret your findings in the context of existing literature, considering their implications. The available projects will cover various areas of psychology, allowing you to choose a topic of personal interest. The skills gained in planning, executing, and reviewing research are valuable for postgraduate studies and many careers.

How you'll learn: You will be supported by a supervisor with expertise in your chosen topic area, meeting regularly, typically in small groups. In addition to these meetings, lectures and workshops will help develop your research skills and support your work for the module, with lectures covering report-writing and data analysis methods, and workshops offering opportunities to apply these concepts to your own project. These sessions will provide valuable support for your assessments throughout the year.

Assessment: Whichever project you choose, you will need to write a project report and deliver a poster presentation, helping to develop your written and oral communication skills. Throughout the module, your work will also enhance your research and project management abilities, equipping you with a range of transferable skills that are valuable for postgraduate studies and various graduate careers.

Module details: This module will enhance your workplace professionalism and personal development, equipping you with key skills for your career. You will develop communication, reflective, and self-presentation skills while applying psychological literacy to ethical considerations, social responsibility, and self-regulation. Topics include leadership styles, emotional intelligence, and conflict management. You will complete a personal development portfolio, gain at least 30 hours of work experience, and earn certifications in areas such as diversity and leadership. This module will strengthen your CV and prepare you for future career opportunities, integrating theoretical concepts into real-world practice.

How you'll learn: This module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops. In lectures, you will learn key career skills and explore potential career paths, while workshops will allow you to apply these concepts to your own personal development, reflecting on your strengths and areas for improvement. The workshops will also support your preparation for the assessment.

Assessment: You will be assessed through a portfolio, which will require you to complete the Chancellor's Career Award, at least 30 hours of work experience, and online training. Within the portfolio, you will reflect on your personal development and skills gained from the Chancellor's Career Award and work experience. You will also reflect on a potential career path after your degree and your next steps in personal and professional development. This assessment will enhance your reflective and written communication skills, which are highly valued in various careers and will support your career progression.

Module details: This module offers an in-depth exploration of forensic psychology, focusing on the psychological foundations of criminal behaviour and its application in criminal justice settings. You will critically assess theories and research on offending behaviours, considering factors like mental health, socioeconomic status, substance misuse, and life events. Topics such as eyewitness testimony, jury selection, rehabilitation models, and the relationship between mental illness and crime will provide you with a holistic understanding of forensic psychology in real-world contexts.

How you'll learn: Lectures will present core content, including psychological theories and research, complemented by case studies, videos, and insights from forensic professionals. Seminars will be interactive, with group discussions, case study analyses, and debates on key topics, helping you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These sessions are closely aligned with module assessments, ensuring you gain the necessary analytical and reflective skills to succeed.

Assessment: Assessment in this module consists of a presentation and an intervention proposal, testing your ability to apply psychological theories to real-life cases. You will be evaluated on your oral and written communication skills, as well as your capacity to synthesise and critically evaluate research. The assessments will reflect the skills required for postgraduate study and careers in forensic psychology, criminal justice, and related fields, helping you develop valuable competencies for professional settings.

Module overview: You will explore the ways in which family life shapes, and is shaped by, crime and criminal justice processes.

By placing ‘the family’ at the heart of its analysis, this module draws together a range of established criminological topics such as youth justice, interpersonal violence, organised crime, policing, and victimology.  

How you’ll learn: You'll gain knowledge through a blended teaching approach that combines mini-taught sessions with interactive, student-led activities. These may include reading and presenting information, participating in group work, solving problems, engaging in discussions or debates, completing quizzes, and taking part in workshops. Alongside learning the core content of the module, you'll also develop transferable skills that enhance your employability. These activities are designed to help you apply what you’ve learned and deepen your understanding of key concepts.   

Assessment: You will be assessed through a poster and an essay.  

30 credits

You will develop your core academic and integrated English language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. You will become familiar with key academic skills and concepts, such as referencing methods and awareness of academic integrity and tone. You will apply these skills and knowledge to both broad topics and also your chosen subject pathway.

Teaching and learning

You will be required to actively engage in on-campus learning for up to 10 hours a week.

You will be taught through a full range of teaching and learning methods, which include lectures, seminars, workshops, discussion groups, group directed tasks and presentations. This will enable you to learn from your peers and tutors in both structured and information settings.

You will be encouraged to think creatively about your approach to learning and discussions with your peers. You will also have access to recordings, resources, links and signposting through Moodle to enrich your learning.

Assessment

You will be assessed through group and individual presentations, comparative and reflective essays, multiple choice exams, coursework and reports, oral exams, portfolios, case studies and blogs.

30 credits

You will develop your research, numeracy and information technology skills. You will investigate the difference between primary and secondary research, conduct your own research project and demonstrate your findings through data analysis. You will also develop your awareness of equality, diversion and inclusion in the UK, through a real-world issue; discrimination in the workplace.

Teaching and learning

You will be required to actively engage in on-campus learning for up to 10 hours a week.

You will be taught through a full range of teaching and learning methods, which include lectures, seminars, workshops, discussion groups, group directed tasks and presentations. This will enable you to learn from your peers and tutors in both structured and information settings.

You will be encouraged to think creatively about your approach to learning and discussions with your peers. You will also have access to recordings, resources, links and signposting through Moodle to enrich your learning.

Assessment

You will be assessed through group and individual presentations, comparative and reflective essays, multiple choice exams, coursework and reports, oral exams, portfolios, case studies and blogs. 

30 credits

This module focuses on an in-depth exploration of applied psychology, drawing on foundational theories and models that explain human behaviour. You will engage with the issues and debates around some of the core psychological concepts, such as prejudice, stereotyping, group dynamics, and conformity, gaining a broad understanding of what influences human behaviours.

The module introduces the bio-psycho-social model within health psychology, providing a holistic framework for understanding health-related behaviours. You will gain a knowledge of how different psychological theories and models can be applied to understand the development of risky health behaviours and can be applied to design effective health intervention strategies.

You will learn the skill of collaborative group work, which is an integral part of the module, encouraging you to apply your knowledge of psychological theories to analyse and present a case study on risky health behaviour. You will also develop the skill of critical analysis, integrating various theories and models in psychology to explain risky health behaviour and suggest intervention programs.

Teaching and learning

The teaching delivery for each module consists of one, one-three-hour lecture and one, two-hour seminar per week. You will learn through a blend of lectures and interactive sessions, case studies and group presentations.

There will be an additional 30 minutes of online support per week. This will consist of individual tasks such as quizzes, posting on discussion forums, watching videos and taking notes, and reading articles or chapters.

Assessment

This module will be assessed using a written assessment and a group presentation.

50% - written assessment, composed of two parts; essay and self-reflection. You will write an essay on your knowledge of at least two psychological theories or models to explain why people develop risky health behaviours and propose and evaluate intervention strategies. You will reflect on your experience and learning journey as you prepared for and wrote the essay.

50% - group presentation, where you will apply knowledge from psychology theories to plan health interventions on risky health behaviour.

30 credits

This module focuses on the different perspectives available in psychology to explain human behaviour.

You will get the opportunity to explore methods of scientific thinking and reasoning within a Psychology context in an enquiry-based way. Problem-based learning and blended learning (combines online and face-to-face time) approaches will facilitate deep, experiential learning.

You will gain knowledge on what scientific thinking is, how to distinguish this from pseudoscience and how the scientific cycle enquiry can be applied to the various perspectives in psychology.

You will be encouraged to explore how different perspective in psychology can explain human behaviour, scientific argumentation and ethical working practices in relation to current scientific topics as reflected in news reports, recent academic publications and historical case studies. You’ll gain the skill of critical thinking and how to apply concepts from psychology to explain everyday behaviour, as well as poster presentation and public speaking.

Teaching and learning

The teaching delivery for each module consists of one, one-three-hour lecture and one, two-hour seminar per week. Lectures will introduce the scientific basis of knowledge and research methodologies in the context of Psychology and empower you to distinguish between science and pseudoscience, while seminars will consist of individual and group activities on the weekly topics.

There will be an additional 30 minutes of online support per week. This will consist of individual tasks such as quizzes, posting on discussion forums, watching videos and taking notes, and reading articles or chapters.

Assessment

This module will be assessed using a group poster presentation and written assessment.

40% - group poster presentation, you will compare and contrast any two perspectives on psychology.

60% - written assessment, you will write a critical essay on how pseudoscience differs from science.