Stage one
You will study the following core modules:
Psychology for Criminologists
You will be introduced to key psychological theories which will help you gain knowledge and understanding of human behaviour and development. This module will cover theories from a wide range of perspectives, such as social, personality, cognitive, and developmental psychology.
Developing the Criminal Psychologist
Assisting you in merging psychological and criminological perspectives in your studies, this module will deepen your knowledge of the central criminal psychological theories. In addition, we will focus on enhancing your broader transferable skills and Personal Development Planning (PDP) to help shape your future career aspirations.
Investigating Criminal Psychology
This fascinating module will be central to your development as a knowledge producer in the field of criminal psychology. You will discover how we have gained a greater understanding of the ‘causes’ of crime and the effectiveness of rehabilitation.
Offenders and Offending
How much crime is there? Why do people offend? Who are offenders? How do they offend? How does our society respond? Does treatment work? This module analyses policy and practice for working with a range of offenders, highlights research into patterns of offending behaviour, and debates some of the ethical dilemmas facing criminal justice professionals.
Crime, Justice, and Society
Examining crime within the context of wider society, this module considers the impact of social inequalities and socio-economic status on experiences of crime. Issues of gender, race, ethnicity, class and social exclusion are analysed, together with responses to behaviour labelled as ‘criminal’. You will also look at the role of government and political power in shaping responses to crime.
Introduction to Theoretical Criminology
You will broaden your understanding of the key schools of thought on criminology, including seminal works and influential theorists spanning the early origins of criminology up to the present day. This includes feminist perspectives, radical theories, and integrated theories of criminology.
Stage two
You will study the following core modules:
Themes in Criminal Psychology I
Themes in Criminal Psychology II
Underpinning your learning journey throughout the year, these modules will give you deeper insights into the field of criminal psychology - including why people engage in criminal behaviour, how the police investigate a crime, sentencing, rehabilitation, and how crime affects victims. As a result, you will gain an in-depth understanding of how the criminal justice process functions, taking you from before a crime has been committed to the aftermath and impact of criminal behaviour.
Policing and Society
Ethical policing has become an increasingly important subject for debate. While the police have a responsibility to safeguard the rule of law, they are equally expected to take into account the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual. Using case studies and real-world scenarios, this module will explore the concepts and research relating to police ethics and develop your understanding of the role and function of the police in a modern democracy.
Qualitative Criminal Justice
Quantitative Criminal Justice
On these two modules, you will be guided through the intriguing process of conducting your own research projects, using different techniques and methodologies.
And you will choose one of the following options:
Penology: Punishment and Rehabilitation - assessing the effectiveness of penal policy in communities and in prisons, and exploring contemporary developments in probation and offender management
Victimology - considering how the rights of victims are now viewed as integral to our criminal and community justice system, leading to revisions in sentencing and the advent of restorative justice
Stage three
You will study the following core modules:
Criminal Psychology Dissertation
Advanced Knowledge Production
And you will choose three of the following options:
Crime, Media and Culture
Cybercrime
Domestic Abuse
Hate, Ethnicity and Crime
Mentally Disordered Offenders
Murder: Dynamics, Pathologies and Investigation
Psychopathy
Sexual Violence, Exploitation and Abuse
Substance Misuse
Working with Young Offenders
Youth Justice