Psychology and Criminology

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.

In collaboration with Pain Association Scotland, we are planning to support members of the public in the self-management of chronic pain. Students from the first year of study will have an opportunity to observe and learn how members of the public benefit from this support, potentially offering experience relevant to a career in mental health services.

"A pioneering first"

"The collaboration between the University of Bradford and Pain Association Scotland is a pioneering first and will give students a valuable opportunity to understand the self-management approach to health, with a particular emphasis on chronic pain. This is a growing area of health care, especially relevant as health services move towards person-centred, bio-psycho social models.

"This is a very practical course component in which students will gain insights based on observing and participating in live group work with patients, the place where theory meets practice. Alongside the topics of self-management like stress, sleep, pacing, understanding pain, students will also see the bio-psycho-social model in action and will observe rapport-building and motivation issues.

"This is a welcome first of its kind that will equip students with positive formative experiences that will inform study and may even inspire career choice." - Professor Sonia Cottom, Pain Association Scotland.