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PSYCHOLOGY & CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR UoB BA (HONS) (TOP UP)

Psychology & Crime HE Bedford

Overview

Psychology & Criminal Behaviour BA (Hons) Top-up (Full time)

This top-up course is designed for those who have already completed a Foundation-level course or have a level 5 qualification with relevance to psychology and now wish to obtain a bachelor’s degree. The course has a strong employability and ‘real-world’ focus, allowing you to examine forensic psychology in practice. You will develop professional skills which can be used in a wide range of industry settings, including education, social/support work, youth work, family support, therapeutic support, charitable organisations and public services such as police, probation and youth offending. Along with exploring aspects of occupational and organisational psychology, atypical child and adolescent development, the psychology of mental health and forensic psychology, you will study the assessment and treatment of offenders including offenders with a mental illness.

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Important information

No. of contact hours

9 hours per week

Expected self-study

35 hours per week

Regulatory body

University of Bedfordshire

UCAS code

PCT1

Student Loans Company code

872942

Partner university

University of Bedfordshire

Course information

Entry requirements
  • FdA in Psychology and Crime or Psychology and Criminal Behaviour
  • a psychology-related degree that meets the eligibility criteria for entry to a level 6 course
  • IELTS 6.0 or equivalent for applicants whose first language is not English

This course is for applicants with a related Foundation Degree or Higher Education qualification wishing to top up to the full BA/BSc degree.

The BA (Hons) Psychology and Criminal Behaviour is a level 6 top-up award intended principally for students who have been awarded an FdA in Psychology and Crime or Psychology and Criminal Behaviour or any student eligible to transfer into Level 6 from a Psychology related degree (i.e. who has successfully studied Levels 4 and 5 in a psychology related degree).

Or

Evidence of two years of successful related study at degree levels 4 and 5 and potential to progress to Level 6. Entry to the course will be through negotiation to ensure that applicants have the appropriate pre-requisite knowledge and skills.

Course content

Build on previous Foundation degree studies to complete an Honours degree, developing your skills and theoretical knowledge of psychology and aspects of criminal behaviour, considering human diversity and difference, social and critical psychology, developmental psychology and mental health and occupational psychology. Examine forensic psychology in practice and explore the assessment and treatment of offenders, including violent and sex offenders and offenders with personality disorder and mental illness. In the final stage, you will have the opportunity to complete a library-based research project in your area of interest.

  • Atypical Child and Adolescent Development: Theories and Applications
  • BA Psychology and Criminal Behaviour Honours Project
  • Forensic Psychology in Practice
  • Occupational and Organisational Psychology
  • Psychology of Mental Health
Assessment methods

You will be assessed through coursework, essays, reports, proposals, projects, presentations, and exams.

The assessments are designed to test your academic knowledge, oral and written skills, use of literature using primary and secondary sources, critical analysis of ideas, connections made between theory, practice, real-life situations and the understanding and application of professional values including ethical issues.

Throughout your course, you will be required to take a variety of types of assessment to assess your progression and success. These include self-reflection regarding your employability skills, cases studies, practical assignments such as developing a pack to help explain conditions, such as autism, to parents and children, group presentations, essays, and exams. Feedback is given to students for each assessment point and it is expected that you will use this feedback for your own development and to inform your completion of future assessments.

The qualification

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Psychology & Criminal Behaviour.

Further study and career options

On successful completion students could progress into the following areas:

  • Police work
  • Public services (such as the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, health service)
  • Market research
  • Business and personnel
  • Education
  • Charity work

There are a range of postgraduate study opportunities open to you for career paths in, for example, counselling, police and charity work, business and personnel and teaching. The Department of Psychology at the University of Bedfordshire offers a taught masters programmes in Psychology related fields.

Additional information

While most recommended readings are available through Bedford College’s and University of Bedfordshire’s libraries, some students opt to purchase their own copies of the textbooks. The course does not require any specialist equipment or uniforms although small contributions towards trips and events may be needed.

 

Any questions?

If you would like to find out more about this or other courses, please use our Livechat or email us at info@bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk

Available Courses
Bedford College
Starts: 17/09/2025
Type: HE
Length: 1 year
Day(s): Thursday
Time(s): 9:00am - 6:00pm
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Fees: £9,250.00 Fee notes: The fee indicated is for each year of the course.
Disclaimer

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information on the Website is correct, some details may be subject to change. The Bedford College Group reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.

Funding Information

You could be eligible to take out a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees. Click on the link below to find out more about the financial support available for our Higher Education courses.

Find out more

If you decide to pay for your course yourself, we also offer an affordable Direct Debit instalments option to help spread the cost of tuition fees (terms apply).

Additional Learning Support

If you have a specific learning difficulty or disability, are deaf or hearing impaired, our Additional Learning Support team are on hand to give you assistance whenever you need it. Email: ALSteam@bedford.ac.uk or call us on 01234 291333.

Financial Support

For information regarding financial support, please visit the Financial Support section to see the support you may be entitled to apply for.

Accessibility

We have access arrangements in place to help students with disabilities or any other particular needs. Call us on 01234 291000 or 01536 413123 for more information.

Any questions?

If you would like to find out more about this or other courses, please use our Livechat below, email info@bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk or call us on 0345 658 8990.