Study level
Undergraduate
Duration
3-9 years
Course Overview
Do you ever find yourself wondering what motivates people to commit crimes? Are you interested in the minds of offenders, victims, and witnesses? If so, our BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology Foundation degree is the right choice for you.
Arden University’s psychology and criminology foundation degree is a rigorous and career-enhancing course that provides you with an introduction to the key concepts needed to pursue your academic goals, and incorporates a foundation year with a full undergraduate qualification that follows directly on. Your foundation year will help you develop key working skills, IT skills, emotional intelligence and basic learning skills that will prepare you to successfully complete a degree programme. Once complete, you’ll focus on your chosen career path – in this case, criminology and psychology - for undergraduate study. Bringing together two related subject areas, you’ll gain a multi-disciplinary understanding of the reality of criminology and psychology, while also engaging in employment-related module assessments that are designed to give you the practical edge needed to stand out in today’s competitive job market.
Download brochure
Find out more about this degree programme and the modules covered by downloading our degree brochure.
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Fast track your career with Arden
Arden courses are designed so that you can study additional programmes alongside them. Find out more about how you can study an additional industry certified course alongside your studies.
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Course details and modules
By providing you with the knowledge of the fundamentals of criminology and psychology, we’re preparing you to become a well-rounded employee who can take on all manner of challenges in your professional life. Criminology and psychology foundation degrees at Arden can be tailored to your specific interests and career ambitions, with a variety of modules on offer that have been developed by industry professionals who are leaders within their fields.
Modules
Foundation Year Modules
- 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
Year 2
- 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
Year 3
- Personality and Intelligence
- Research and Ethics in Action
- Contemporary Debates in Criminology
- Environmental Criminology
- Social Psychology
- Policing and Police Powers
Year 4
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Contemporary Developmental Psychology
- Youth Justice
- Cybercrime
- Research Planning and Project
*The order of modules within each level vary depending on intake and mode of study
How do we assess you?
At Arden, we provide you with a range of opportunities to demonstrate your academic strengths. These could include:
- Portfolios of work
- Coursework
- Essays
- Exams
- Reports
- Research Project
Entry requirements
At Arden University we consider applications 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 - we are more than happy to discuss your application.
What do you need to study with us?
Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can join us, wherever you are.
That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.
With this one tool, you'll be able to access information, advice, support, learning materials and our online library, as well as create assignments, keep notes, and collaborate with other students effectively.
Find out more
Eligibility
Candidates for our BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology foundation degree are required to submit a personal statement (of between 350-550 words) or attend an interview demonstrating an ability to study for the programme. This statement should include:
- Your motivation for undertaking the programme
- Relevant work experience
- Prior qualifications
- References
English Proficiency
- IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
We also offer an internal English test for applicants. More information on this can be found here.
Course fees and funding
Meet the team
Before getting started with any degree, it’s nice to know exactly who you’ll be learning from. The School of Psychology is formed of a group of experienced, qualified and enthusiastic tutors who design the courses alongside industry professionals. Heading up our foundation year programme is Towella Ngambi, who has a wealth of experience in up-skilling individuals to help accelerate their career and personal growth.
Career prospects
The specialist skills you’ll have after graduating with your foundation degree include analytical and critical thinking, problem-solving, strong interpersonal and communication skills and an appreciation of organisational behaviour and structures – all of which are highly valued by employers and validate your potential for future development your chosen sector.
What can a criminology and psychology with foundation year course do for me?
Graduating with this degree can open up a world of opportunities, in both psychology and criminology. After studying this psychology and criminology foundation degree, you will:
- Have gained the ability to research and present information to various audiences
- Feel confident in analysing and evaluating data
- Have developed meticulous written communication skills
- Be able to present findings in a range of formats including essay, presentation and report
Where can I go after Arden University?
With this degree, the possibilities are endless – and go further afield than you might think! As well as graduating with critical, analytical and communication skills, a criminology and psychology foundation degree could lead to work in any of the following areas:
- Counselling
- Teaching
- Research
- Human resources
- Police force
- Probation and prison systems
Industry skills
Your next step into the professional world
Studying with Arden is all about getting career-ready. Alongside your foundation course, you’ll also have access to several extra online resources for professional development. You can use these to explore a specialist area of interest and to enhance your CV even further.
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to student support advisors who are exclusively there to help you. They’ll help you to enhance your academic skills, guide you with your orientation and offer tailored career support. This means you’ll have guidance at every stage of your degree from our extensive community of students and fellow alumni, who can offer 1-2-1 advice for your future beyond Arden University.
Outside of this, you’ll also have unlimited access to our online platform, iLearn – providing you with all the learning resources and tools needed to excel in your studies.
Study options
Which study mode is right for you? You’ll have the choice to complete your degree via online learning or blended learning. Here’s a quick summary of both options, so you can choose the flexible learning model that works best for you.
I chose online learning because I do not currently have the capacity to attend classes as my days are full with running my household, my elderly parents’ household and tending to the needs of my 3-year-old. Online studying has been extremely helpful because it provides the flexibility I need in order to study at random times during the day or night.
Cynthia Blow
BSc (Hons) Psychology
Blended Learning
How does it work?
Blended learning involves face to face, on campus, teaching, including eight hours of time-tabled classes spread over two mornings, afternoons, or evenings, at one of our study centres. This study mode provides an element of structure to your day, where you’ll join your fellow classmates at specific times to learn.
Students are then required to complete the rest of their studies online at a time and place that suits them.
With blended learning you can choose to study weekdays:
Either
- two mornings (9.00am to 1.00pm)
OR
- two afternoons (1.30pm to 5.30pm)
Find out more about Blended Learning.
Online Learning
How does it work?
With online learning, you decide when and where you work through your self-guided learning materials, without being held to a set lecture timetable. If you’re interrupted during a lesson, simply pause the materials and continue later. You can also communicate and collaborate with your tutor and classmates through live online forums and email.
Find out more about how Online Learning works.
