Criminological Psychology demonstrates how criminological and psychological theories may be applied in order to provide explanations for crime causation, how to manage offenders and reduce offending behaviour. Psychological techniques are also considered in their application to criminal investigations and detection methods and improvement of the provision of evidence.
The appeal of this exciting discipline has been further enhanced in recent years by its high profile in the public domain as a result of its popularity in television and film portrayals. Criminological psychology is continually evolving and this course provides an introduction to this varied discipline and examines the application of this multidisciplinary approach in real-world settings.
What will you study?The course programme has been designed to appeal to those with an emerging interest in criminological psychology and those already working in areas within the criminal justice field such as police, probation and prison officers.
Prospective students will study two principal subject areas (modules): Theoretical Perspectives and the Deconstruction of Criminal Behaviour and the Psychology of the Investigative and Judicial Process. Course content will include the application of psychology to the explanation of criminal behaviour, investigative techniques, the improvement of crime detection, and its relevance to specific areas within the judicial process, such as the provision of eyewitness testimony and jury decision-making.
The aim of this course is to develop an understanding of why individuals engage in criminal activities and how psychology can be applied in the investigation, detection and judicial fields as well as its utility in managing offenders.
Universities in the United Kingdom use a centralized system of undergraduate application: University and College Admissions Service (UCAS). It is used by both domestic and international students. Students have to register on the UCAS website before applying to the university. They will find all the necessary information about the application process on this website. Some graduate courses also require registration on this website, but in most cases students have to apply directly to the university. Some universities also accept undergraduate application through Common App (the information about it could be found on universities' websites).
Both undergraduate and graduate students may receive three types of responses from the university. The first one, “unconditional offer” means that you already reached all requirements and may be admitted to the university. The second one, “conditional offer” makes your admission possible if you fulfill some criteria – for example, have good grades on final exams. The third one, “unsuccessful application” means that you, unfortunately, could not be admitted to the university of you choice.
All universities require personal statement, which should include the reasons to study in the UK and the information about personal and professional goals of the student and a transcript, which includes grades received in high school or in the previous university.
