BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology with Foundation Year

Course Overview

Explore criminological issues through a psychological lens with our BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology with Foundation Year joint degree. The foundation year equips you with the academic skills and subject knowledge needed for success at the university level, ensuring you’re ready to tackle your degree with confidence.

The programme equally integrates both disciplines, providing you with a profound understanding of deviant and criminal behaviour. As you delve into the influences and management of such conduct, you will acquire modern skills crucial for fulfilling roles within the criminal justice field.

Studying criminology and psychology offers a unique perspective on crime, allowing you to explore the psychological underpinnings of why people offend. This multidisciplinary approach provides fresh insights into the motivations and behaviours of offenders.

During the course, you’ll explore the ins and outs of the criminal justice system and what motivated notorious serial killers like Ian Huntley and Peter Sutcliffe, taking an in-depth look at crime, punishment, and prevention.

Career focussed skills

Gain expertise in crime, state power, and criminal justice, alongside factors influencing behaviour, building your ability to provide interventions and support.
Gain insights into human behaviour through examination of personality, development, and social psychology theories, developing analytical skills.
Investigate causes and consequences of crime, and examine high-profile cases through a forensic psychologist’s lens, refining your operational and strategic decision-making abilities.
Look at global criminal justice processes whilst exploring key theories and research that shape policy and practice, fostering critical evaluation skills.

Course details and modules

Arden’s foundation year modules have been designed to give you a tailored and fully supportive introduction to university study. This first year of study will prepare you for success in higher education by introducing you to the academic skills and subject-specific knowledge required to excel in your chosen degree subject.

Your course modules will then cover the latest developments and best practices in global criminology and psychology, providing a broad range of knowledge and understanding from various international perspectives so that your degree is relevant across the globe.

Just some of the fascinating modules you’ll study on this course include:

Social Psychology

Explore how social elements shape personal choices and behaviours. Apply these insights to real-world scenarios, like understanding bystanders in crimes, the dynamics of joining extremist groups, and the role of attitudes and personality as prerequisites to criminal behaviour.

Crimes of the Powerful

Examine state-driven and state-corporate illegal activities, from police brutality to corporate corruption. Investigate hidden aspects of criminology through cases like genocide and white-collar crime, shedding light on the dynamics of power.

Forensic Psychology

Apply psychological theories to criminal investigations and understand the problems and processes related to criminal offending behaviours and rehabilitation. Analyse high-profile cases like Ted Bundy through the lens of a forensic psychologist, evaluating the factors that led to such crimes.

Crime, Media, and Culture

Examine how contemporary media has influenced true crime, giving new levels of visibility to crime through ‘citizen journalism’ and ‘trial by media.’ Analyse the digital era’s impact on crime, covering online sex crimes, image-based sexual abuse, and internet activism.

Modules

Foundation year

Using Numeracy, IT & Data
Research Skills and Using Information
Values, Ethics and Working Collaboratively
Developing Academic Skills
Crime and Law in Context
Psychology of Everyday Life

Level 4

Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology
Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology
Effective Interdisciplinary Study
Crime and Society
Criminal Justice System
Key Studies in Psychology

Level 5

Personality and Intelligence
Research and Ethics in Action
Contemporary Debates in Criminology
Environmental Criminology
Social Psychology
Policing and Police Powers

Level 6

Cross-Cultural Psychology
Contemporary Developmental Psychology
Youth Justice
Cybercrime
Research Planning and Project

How do Arden University assess students?

AU assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Study options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode at our campuses in London Ealing, London Tower Hill, London Holborn, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.

Full-time blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose our blended learning study mode, each week you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to our Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face-to-face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK campuses.

If you’re a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on our fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body.

This course is also available to study full-time at our campus in Berlin, Germany, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience life as an international student in the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic and historic cities.

Introducing your Digital Backpack

Once you’ve enrolled on your Criminology and Psychology with Foundation Year degree with Arden you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources we’ve put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.

Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:

Office 365 subscription
Integrated zoom video conferencing
Careers support in-person and online available through Arden Futures, your careers platform, to help you throughout your career journey whether you are a Career Starter, Changer or Developer
Free online access to our Library Portal, which includes thousands of eBooks and journals, as well as industry databases which we’ve carefully hand-picked to support your studies – all yours for free while you study with us
Subscription to Togetherall for an abundance of mental health support

Entry requirements

At Arden University applications are consider on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – Arden is more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

Standard entry requirements

To be eligible for our BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology with Foundation Year, you should normally have:

At least 3 x GCSEs or 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent. If your qualifications are older than 3 years, we will also ask to see a professional CV.

Non standard entry requirements

AU is happy to consider an application from you if you can show us that you have relevant work experience that required critical thinking and analysis skills. We’ll ask you for a personal statement that demonstrates your motivation and ability to study this degree, along with references and evidence of your previous work experience.

Course fee

This course is eligible for Student Loans Company (SLC) funding to help cover the cost of your tuition fees and other expenses. Please submit an enquiry to find out more.

In a UK campus	Fee
Foundation year fee:	£9,250
Level 4 fee:	£9,250
Level 5 fee:	£9,250
Level 6 fee:	£9,250

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English, can be accepted.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Apply for the Course

Enquire Now

Career prospects

The interdisciplinary nature of this degree will equip you with transferable skills you can apply to a range of exciting career paths in areas directly linked to criminology and psychology, leaving your career options wide open. So whether you already have a career path in mind or are still figuring things out, we’re here to support you on your journey.

Where can I go after Arden University?

Completing a criminology and psychology course can open up a world of opportunity – both in the specific fields of criminology and psychology, but also further afield into other industries you might not have even considered! With that in mind, a few career options for you could include:

Police
Prison service
Probation
Social Research
Voluntary sector
Charities or NGOs
Work in the government, home office, or education and more
You can also go on to study at master’s degree level. Arden University offers a variety of master’s programmes and we are developing many more. Keep looking for further developments!

Industry Skills

The course stands out in that the topics you’ll study have a global focus that is relevant anywhere in the world. Avoiding the Western-centric focus of many undergraduate criminology courses, your course content will give you experience and knowledge you can apply to careers both at home and internationally.

Campaign for Social Science

Arden University is a member of the Campaign for Social Science.

The Campaign demonstrates how social science improves public policy, society, and all our lives. It highlights the value of applied social science research and advocates for its greater use in decision-making and in government. It is supported by a coalition of universities, social science societies, and publishers.

As a member, Arden receives access to case studies, research into the value provided by social sciences, and insights into the employability of social science graduates. Through this, you will gain a better understanding of the skills you are learning and their value to employers.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with our curriculum and your career goals.
Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.

What can a criminology and psychology with foundation year course do for me?

This degree has been designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge of the interrelated fields of criminology and psychology alongside the practical skills needed to meet the current and future demands of the sector. While studying, you will:

Develop your knowledge of criminological theory and psychological studies
Acquire a solid grounding in criminological thinking and principles
Adopt an enquiring and critical appreciation of criminology and psychology
Develop an appreciation of the national and international contexts of criminology
Become an analytical social scientist who can handle both criminological and psychological issues of the modern world
Reflect on what works and what doesn’t in the justice and legal system
Apply your knowledge and experience to real-life scenarios
During your Foundation Year, you’ll get comprehensive support and preparation for your university journey, including:

Introduction and preparation: our Foundation Year courses introduce you to university-level teaching, learning, and assessment methods. You’ll develop essential study skills, research techniques, and critical thinking abilities, laying a strong foundation for your degree studies.

Personalised support: our academic staff will guide you throughout your Foundation Year. They’ll ensure a smooth transition into your degree programme, providing the support you need every step of the way.

Direct relevance to your future degree: your programme content is carefully designed to align with Arden’s degree courses. Studying a Foundation Year will equip you with subject-specific knowledge and interdisciplinary exploration, establishing a solid base for your chosen degree.

Improved degree outcomes: we prioritise not only your academic preparation but also your success. By boosting your confidence, academic skills, and understanding of the subjects, we empower you to achieve the best possible degree outcomes and expand your career opportunities.