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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
This course responds to a major concern of any society: criminal behaviour. It looks at how resources are employed in detecting, preventing and understanding criminal behaviour and in prosecuting criminals and detaining them. It also investigates the psychology and motivations at work behind criminal behaviour.
The curriculum of this course highlights both general psychology as well as aspects of psychology that are relevant to understanding an individual's development from childhood through to adolescence and maturity. You will also explore the theory supporting and predicting behaviour in groups. Alongside your enhanced subject knowledge, you will acquire improved study skills, teamwork skills and time management. There will be a Personal Development Planning component to this group, during which you will reflect on your own performance and learning.
This Foundation Degree allows participants to maintain employment while they study. Following the Foundation Degree, you will be able to progress directly onto the BA Hons Psychological Studies programme, or seek professional employment in relevant fields such as police and community work.
This course will enhance both your academic and vocational capabilities. Therefore, you will have a firm base upon graduation from which to continue your education in the BA Hons Psychological Studies programme. Alternatively, you may wish to pursue employment relevant to your studies. This could include areas like social work, police work, education and charity. Work experience undertaken on the course could allow you to secure work before you graduate.
During the course you will:
Areas of study you may cover on this course include:
Various assessment methods will be used to identify the skills and knowledge you have gained. You will draw upon your work experience to enhance your understanding and appreciation of various topics and this will be explicitly assessed in the work-based learning modules. Assessment is also for learning and the feedback given will provide you with guidance on how to improve as you progress through the programme.
The most common forms of assessment are essays, reports, presentations and portfolios. There is also the occasional multi choice exam and one written exam. Writing essays and reports covers several aims. One is to ensure that you understand the material you have studied. Writing about a topic in your own words should also ensure that you develop a better understanding of that topic and that you remember more of it. A second aim relates to transferable skills. The skill of essay writing is one that can be developed and can be applied to a variety of areas. Thus, learning to structure an argument in some topic in psychology or criminology should also help you learn to structure an argument in history or politics or marketing, or whatever. Learning techniques for expressing your ideas clearly in an essay ought to help you express ideas clearly in other forms of extended writing. A third aim is to allow us to assess how well you are managing to achieve both of these two aims. That is where the assessment of learning becomes relevant.
Portfolios are assessed for work based learning modules and Personal Development. These should show how you have developed the ability to reflect on your own development as a person and in the work place. Your work placement portfolio also provides evidence of your understanding of how theory relates to practice.
Presentations may be group or individual. Assessment is on communication skills, demonstration of knowledge and ability to present information and argument in an interesting and logical manner. Presentation skills are frequently important in the work place.
This approach to assessment emphasizes the development of various types of knowledge, skills and attitudes and encourages the development of reflective practice. The reflection will enable the student to identify, assimilate and integrate into practice the appropriate sources of knowledge in relation to experience, thereby, enabling you to think critically.
Assessments are based on a sixteen point scale from 0 to 16. You will need a grade of D- (5) or higher to pass each module. You will be given specific criteria according to the assignment.
All assessed work is subject to internal verification and then external moderation at the end of the year.
Assessment methods
You will be given information about the nature of the assessment and offered advice on how to tackle it at the beginning of each module so that you can plan your work accordingly. Updated information is also available on BREO for giving advice on assessments.
The choice of assessment is largely influenced by the module content and mode of delivery. While it is not possible to test all skills within a single module, the psychology or criminology student will encounter a variety of assessment methods which test a wide range of skills over the course of their degree studies. (See above) The table below gives the assessment types for all modules on the FdA Psychology and Criminal Behaviour programme and the associated Key Skills.
Assessments are based on the published learning outcomes and assessment criteria (in module handbooks). These tell you what you are expected to know and what we are looking for in the assessments. Module Leaders will ensure that schemes of work reflect the module learning outcomes and that the assessment criteria as detailed on the module information sheet are implemented. Assessed work will be returned by Module Leaders within three weeks, and there will be tutorial time available for one - to - one discussions.
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Show a critical understanding of the well established principles and issues, empirical methods and findings in psychology and criminology.
2. Use your ability to apply those underlying concepts and principles outside the context in which they were first studied, including, where appropriate, the application of those principles in an employment context.
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in Psychology and show an understanding of criminal behaviour. Be able to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems in psychology and criminology.
4. Explain a range of established techniques to analyse information and evaluate theories relevant to psychology and criminology.
5. Identify and address ethical issues that arise in the design and conduct of research into psychology and criminology.
6. To make reasoned arguments to specialist and non specialist audiences.
7. Show how the relevant subject knowledge relates to your personal development and experience including work experience.
8. Identify and help develop a range of meta cognitive skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision making relevant to psychology, criminology and to work contexts.
9. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to allow you to undertake further training, to acquire new competences that will enable you to assume significant responsibility within organisations, and to progress your career.
10. Be able to reach your personal potential by enhancing your knowledge, key transferable skills, and self awareness through the development of critical enquiry, evaluation and analysis.
The main aim of the programme is to provide a broad based and practical Foundation degree in the fields of psychology and criminal behaviour.
The aims are to:
We place a strong emphasis on student support so that you are in a good position to achieve your maximum academic potential and to enjoy the university experience. We are very aware of the differing needs of our students and this is reflected in the range of support that is available. On the Foundation Degree in Psychology and Criminal Behaviour we place particular emphasis on the accessibility and availability of the teaching team.
There is an induction period of one week at the beginning of the course. This will include induction to both the College and the University. During induction week, course handbooks are given out which will detail the programme of study over the next two years. You will have an opportunity to join both the College and the University of Bedfordshires Learning Resource Centres. At the University of Bedfordshire, the Psychology liaison librarian will be able to offer advice and help in using the Universitys Learning Resources. At the University Centre of Milton Keynes, there is also a librarian available to offer you help. In addition you will have the use of the Milton Keynes College Learning Resource centres at both the Bletchley and Chaffron Way sites.
Every full time learner is allocated a personal tutor with whom they meet each week. You will have both individual and group tutorials. The purpose of these is to support you in your learning. You will therefore be allocated slots for a personal tutorial in which you can raise any difficulties or challenges you are facing. You can review your progress and discuss areas of development with your Personal Tutor. You can also obtain academic advice from any member of the course team.
If there are academic issues you feel you need to address, they should be raised, in the first instance, with the lecturer concerned. If they are unresolved, they can then be raised with the Course Programme Leader or with the Field Chair at the university. There is a student representation system in place where students views are represented by a student who will attend course meetings and who will have access to the course leader in Milton Keynes and the Field Chair at Luton. There will also be an HE student liaison forum in which each year group is represented and where students can raise their concerns. The College or University will respond to issues raised. There are also questionnaires to gather student feedback which feed into an annual course review. The Course Manager in Luton will use this information for the Universitys annual monitoring process.
In the Milton Keynes College Charter, you will see references and procedures for childcare, counselling, welfare information, additional support and other services, which can be accessed if required on your own initiative. If you have any problems with this, or have a specific requirement, such as a disability, please inform the Course Manager to make sure assistance is provided. There may be additional welfare information/ assistance available through the University (please contact your Course Programme Leader for further details). We are here to help and to provide as much support as possible for students to enable them to successfully complete their programme of study. Please consult your College handbook, website (www.mkcollege.ac.uk), or your personal tutor for details.
For individual modules there will be support through a Virtual Learning Environment, (BREO), available to provide both further materials related to the module and also some help on aspects of the module content, announcements, links to related material elsewhere, and so on. Study Skills advice is also available through BREO and through the universitys websites.
Learning Support is a support service for students with a range of additional needs. Milton Keynes College can provide support for students with a learning difficulty, disability or medical condition.
The College works in partnership with Connexions Careers Management Milton Keynes. You may book appointments as you proceed through the Foundation Degree Programme with a specialist careers advisor through Reception at the University Centre of Milton Keynes. Help is offered with deciding your next steps, including applications for employment, CV preparation, further qualifications or training.
The College provides a comprehensive counselling service that can be contacted on the confidential answer phone at any time by intending or enrolled students. The service is confidential and offers professional therapeutic counselling to support you in personal growth issues or any difficulties which make succeeding on your course more difficult. Counselling takes place at Bletchley or Chaffron Way and appointments are arranged to fit in with other commitments you may have.
Milton Keynes Colleges Student Welfare Team can offer support and advice on a wide range of practical problems: These may be to do with finance, benefits, immigration issues, accommodation, transport or health. A similar service is available through the University of Bedfordshire.
Feedback on progress is important and a necessary element of Personal Development Planning. You will normally receive feedback on your course work within three weeks of submission. Feedback may be discussed in PDP modules or with the Personal Tutor where appropriate.
Some units include grades for the outcomes of group work. Students will often be expected to work in groups or discuss issues in groups as part of the teaching and learning programme. You are also expected to work collaboratively with your peers and staff at all levels.
Career:
At the end of the 2nd year you can complete with a Foundation Degree and use it to progress into careers such as the police, teaching or various areas of social work. If you progress to complete an honours degree then there are career opportunities in a wide range of areas, eg areas of social work, Human resources and industry. The BPS route referred to below can take you into professional psychology eg. educational or clinical psychology.
Further study:
Progression refers to the progression from one academic level to another. To progress to the second level of your course you will normally have successfully completed 8 Level 1 modules.
Progression on to Honours Degree programme
On completion of the Foundation degree, you can progress on to the third year of an Honours degree programme at the University of Bedfordshire if you so wish. The Foundation degree would lead on to the BSc (Hons) Psychology degree, the BSc (hons) Psychology and Criminology degree or the BA Criminology degree. Your degree, however, will not be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR). This is because there is insufficient methodology and statistics in the modules and the full BPS curriculum will not have been covered over the three years. It is now possible, however, to attain Graduate Basis for Recognition by moving from the second year of the Foundation Degree to the second year of either the BSc(hons) Psychology degree or the BSc (hons) Psychology and Criminology degree at the university of Bedfordshire. This would enable you to attain the necessary modules. You would then move into a fourth year for your BSc (hons) degree.
Standard:
The general requirement is one of the following:
Students from the European Union:
International students:
International students can apply direct to the University or via representatives in their home country.
Additional:
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.
Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.
Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.
We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
The general requirement is one of the following:
Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.
(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)
We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.
Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.
Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section
APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.
Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `
The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.
We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.
Return your completed application to:
University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk
The main focus of a Foundation degree is on understanding the subject area through work - based experience and the applications of theory to the real world. You should be able to relate your theoretical knowledge and the skills you learn in the classroom to practice.
The teaching strategies underpinning the programme are designed to enable you to acquire both an appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge of psychology and of criminal behaviour. They are also designed to provide you with a range of key transferable skills and meta cognitive skills (relating to your own learning and performance) and career aspirations. We have therefore been careful to help you recognise and achieve skills such as the ability to work in a group, which will be useful to you in a range of activities. Continuous personal development planning throughout your Higher Education career, both as a module and during tutorial, is helpful in this context.
The structure of the curriculum offers the opportunity to investigate the breadth of topics within psychology and to take some of those topics and look at them in more depth. However, the provision of the programme has been structured in order to help you develop a degree of independence in learning. As part of the strategy for enabling you to become effective and autonomous learners, you should receive clear and unambiguous information at the commencement of each module. The learning outcomes for each module are stated in the module handbooks along with the assessment criteria and detailed information about the module content, teaching programme, the types of assessment and key reading.
The teaching methods will involve you in a range of student centred activities and learning experiences. The ability to learn through a range of methods is an important transferable skill in itself. There will be lectures, discussion, seminars, group activities and preparation for presentations. By the end of your first year you should be familiar with basic computer IT programmes and use of the internet for accessing and downloading information. You should also become increasingly able to research and select relevant information from text and journals. You will be given specific instruction on essay writing, report writing, study skills, critical thinking, and the relevance of the skills you will learn during the programme to future career development. Help and guidance with all the above will be offered during tutorial sessions.
Beginning with the Level 1 PPAD module, which is the first module dedicated to aspects of Personal Development Planning, you are encouraged to reflect on your own learning style, and the effectiveness of your approach to studying psychology and criminology. You will also get the opportunity to work with others in groups, give presentations and produce portfolios of work.
Apart from the Milton Keynes College Learning Resource Centres, you also have access to the libraries and Learning Resources at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton and other partner universities such as the Open University to assist your learning and to develop your skills.
Milton Keynes College is committed to students with disabilities and has a legal duty to treat students with disabilities fairly, in line with the current disability, discrimination legislation. As a student on the Foundation Degree you may require additional support.
You will need to apply for a Disabled Students Allowance. You should do this via your Local Authority when you apply for your student loan and/or grant. The colleges Learning Support or Welfare Team can advise you about this process. The support we are then able to offer will be based on the Local Authoritys assessment of your needs.
Communication
To help with the development of this you will:
Be encouraged to develop cogent arguments supported by relevant evidence in order to write essays and scientific style reports, as well as to give oral presentations to groups. You will be supported through feedback, formative and summative assessment procedures, and classes on report writing techniques. Group work, and in - class discussion and debate will also help to develop your communication skills. Each of the units will require you to reflect on your learning and academic development. Your Personal Development Module, delivered during tutorial as part of the first year, requires you to produce a portfolio. This includes reflection on your progress through the year and will help to develop your transferable skills, while starting to think about career options and pathways.
Information Literacy
To help with the development of this you will:
Be expected to make full use of the Universitys Learning Resource Centre and to be proactive in researching your work. You will also be given guidance on using the facilities provided by Learning Resources. All units are designed to enhance the development of your information literacy skills. You will be encouraged to retrieve and organise information and become familiar with locating and critically evaluating primary source material. All units are linked to BREO (a Virtual Learning Environment) which in turn incorporates links to Learning Resources and relevant pedagogical web - sites. You will be expected to develop your skills in word processing and the use of programmes such as PowerPoint.
Research and Evaluation
To help with the development of this you will:
Creativity and Critical Thinking
To help with the development of this you will:
Personalised learner development or Personal Development Planning (PDP) is a key aspect of the degree to facilitate higher level learning. We aim to help you reach a much deeper level of understanding about the learning process, and, in particular, about yourself in new learning contexts, whether personal, academic or in relation to your career. This understanding, as well as tools acquired through the process, should equip you to improve your own learning and performance in a wide range of circumstances, increasing skills of self-reliance, self-direction, self-monitoring and self-evaluation useful to both academic and professional life.
You will undertake units at all levels where personalised learner development and the development of key skills is embedded into the curriculum. This is achieved by using a variety of teaching methods in order to encourage you to adapt your learning styles and to develop your confidence as independent learners. For example, a lecture may require you to develop note taking skills, a tutorial to work with others in a group to complete a task, to produce a draft of an essay / report so you can engage in a peer review process, or to receive feedback on the draft from tutors so that you can address the recommendations in preparation for the final submission of the essay / report.
As described above, you will be expected to complete an assessed portfolio for your Personal Development module and also for work placed learning. These portfolios are intended to develop your ability to reflect on your learning experience and on your progress. They should assist with organizing your thoughts and with your understanding of how theory relates to practice.
Students are introduced to professional standards and expectations during induction. This includes deadlines, attendance and punctuality.
The tutorial system is explained and each student has a one to one with the personal tutor at the start of the programme. This is primarily to discuss their aims, their understanding of the programme they have joined as a student and any issues that may have arisen.
Students are given timetables, the course handbook and module handbooks including the assessment schedule, although this may occasionally be subject to change.
During tutorial there is a full explanation of the meaning of plagiarism and the importance of referencing. Harvard referencing is explained and handouts provided. This is reinforced by module tutors.
BPS ethical guidelines are also discussed early in the course during tutorial / PDP along with their relevance.
