Psychology and Criminology BSc

Overview

This new degree combines the fields of psychology and criminology. Through scientific study, staff expertise from both areas work together to integrate insights from both disciplines.

It not only covers the curriculum recommended by the British Psychological Society (BPS), through which you will develop an understanding of the individual, but also engages with criminological theories exploring crime, victims, societal structures and the operation of the criminal justice system. For example, you will explore internal human motivation, development, and mental processes.

The course places particular emphasis on applying theoretical knowledge to practical, real world issues and controversies. You will examine current psychological-criminological debates by developing research design and analysis skills, allowing you to conduct your own research. This means you will develop expertise to match your future career goals: going onto phase 1 of becoming a forensic psychologist or working within the criminal justice system.

Therefore, the course also aims to further develop your intellectual and transferable employability skills, for example, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and problem solving.

Examples of workplace learning

Psychology at Bradford involves opportunities to be mentored by professionals in mental health who will guide your aspirations to work in this area, right from the first year of study.

These include once-a-semester week-long intensive employability weeks with input from the West Yorkshire Police, criminologists, admissions tutors, clinical psychologists, a local educational psychologist, a psychological wellbeing practitioner, and a range of businesses keen to attract psychology and criminology professionals.

Career prospects

This course is designed to enable you as a graduate to pursue a career in Forensic Psychology and in the wider criminal justice system.

It will also develop a wide range of transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and problem solving, which are essential in all industry sectors.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.