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Psychology with Criminology Modules

In the first and second years, the focus is upon providing a good foundation in what the BPS recognises as the core areas of psychology as well as a broad overview of contemporary topics in criminology.

First year

  • Block 1: Professional Skills for Psychologists focuses on important academic and professional skills to help students transition to higher education studies and beyond
  • Block 2: Core Areas and Research Methods 1 provides a concise overview of the core paradigms in psychology, namely biological, cognitive and developmental psychology, while embedding quantitative research methods.
  • Block 3: Contemporary Issues in Criminology covers a range of issues pertinent to complex problems in crime, harm and justice within a contemporary context.
  • Block 4: Core Areas and Research Methods 2 provides a concise overview of the core paradigms in psychology, namely social, personality and intelligence, and international perspectives, while embedding qualitative research methods.

Second year

  • Block 1: Mind, Brain and Behaviour builds on the core areas of the BPS guidelines to give students in-depth coverage of topics in biological and cognitive psychology. Practical sessions will enable students to develop their knowledge of more advanced research designs and quantitative research skills
  • Block 2: Psychology Across the Lifespan applies the lifespan perspective to studying human development, emphasising the importance of all developmental stages and the interconnectivity between domains of change.
  • Block 3: Choose one of the following:
    • Psychology and Mental Health explores how we define, classify and explain psychological problems
    • Psychology of Social Problems applies psychological theory and research to topics that cover current important debates and issues, directly informed by local, national and global priorities such as DMU’s commitment to decolonization and net zero, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Developmental Goals.
    • Domestic Violence and Abuse considers the changing social, political and legal recognition of abuse and violence in intimate relationships and its impact
    • Children and the Criminal Justice System explores contemporary issues for children and the criminal justice system, across community and custody contexts
    • Animals and Criminology covers the different ways in which animals are the topic of criminological examination
    • Introduction to Probation explores what is probation and where it sits within the wider criminal justice system and justice journey’s
    • Genocide explores a range of genocides and mass atrocities (where genocidal type actions have taken place but have not been legally defined as genocide, or where killings have taken place along with identity-based cleavages)
    • Restorative Justice explores the various origins and applications of Restorative Justice and the critical theoretical analysis which has followed
    • Drugs and Crime focuses on exploring the social context of drugs, alcohol and substance use [primarily but not exclusively] in the UK and how it is controlled and managed in various settings with a focus on the criminal justice system.
  • Block 4: Personality and Social Psychology builds on the core areas of the BPS guidelines to give students in-depth coverage of topics in social psychology and personality and intelligence, and developing a research project on one of these topics.

Third year

  • Block 1: Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology - students will learn to contrast perspectives within significant conceptual debates in psychology, which are placed within their historical context
  • Block 1: Employability Skills and Psychology - you will undertake a period of work experience and consider how psychological theory can be applied in a work environment 
  • Block 2: Choose one from the following:
    • Counselling Psychology - introduces the basic principles of counselling psychology and practice
    • Cognitive Neuropsychology - provides an overview of modern cognitive neuropsychological approaches to dysfunction following head injury and how theory is applied to case histories
    • Wellbeing and Positive Psychology - introduces the scientific study of optimal human functioning within areas such as happiness, wellbeing, personal strengths, positive emotions, optimism, hope and flow
    • Introduction to Data Science for Psychologists- introduces basic skills in computer programming and computational data processing, which are essential employability skills in data science and related fields.
    • Loss, Grief and Bereavement: Cultural, Social, and Therapeutic Perspectives:- enables students to develop understanding of loss, grief and bereavement from theoretical, cultural, social and therapeutic perspectives
    • Psychology of Addiction- provides students an opportunity aims to critically explore addiction to licit and illicit substances and is theoretically grounded within a neuropsychosocial approach.
    • Psychology of Human Rights, Activism and Social Justice- provides students an opportunity to explore perspectives  on local, regional, national, and transnational activism and protest and resistance; together with related issues such as prejudice, discrimination and stigma.
    • Psychology and Culture: Global Issues and International Perspectives- provides students with up-to-date knowledge about cross-cultural theories and models as they relate to the study of human behaviour to consider how and why behaviour differs across cultures.
  • Block 3: Emerging Issues in Criminology – explores immediate issues that emerge within society and examine these using knowledge and understanding from their undergraduate degree programme
  • Block 4: Psychology Project - gives you the opportunity to design and conduct an empirical study showing originality and expertise in methodological and data handling techniques

Our extensive range of final year options allow you to tailor your study to specific career pathways. The range of modules available are subject to change and are dependent on student numbers enrolled and could be withdrawn without prior notice due to limited numbers or staff availability.