About the course
Taking a vocational and practical perspective, this Foundation Degree gives you a firm understanding of both general and criminal psychology, and how it can be applied to human behaviour, offending and society's response to offenders.
The course provides you with a critical overview of both the well-established and emerging theories, concepts and debates, as well as exploring research methods and findings. It then creates opportunities for you to consider how these underlying theories and concepts can be applied to real-world situations.
The overall aim is to develop a knowledge base and range of skills that will enhance your future career aspirations and opportunities.
This course is delivered in partnership with Bedford College
Why choose this course?
- The taught elements of the course are delivered on just one day a week which makes it ideal for anyone looking to combine study with family and work commitments.
- It develops the academic skills needed for critical enquiry, including the ability to identify and locate resources for your investigation; to pull together and analyse different sources of information; and to evaluate the reliability and validity of the information and its conclusions
- It helps you develop your personal potential by giving you key transferable skills as well as building confidence and self-awareness
Psychology Subject Spotlight
Take a look at our subject spotlight on Psychology! Dr. Joseph Adonu explores if love at first sight actually exists!
Units
- Comparative Youth Justice: Ideology, Policy And Practice (PSY018-1) Compulsory
- Foundations Of Psychology (PSY015-1) Compulsory
- Psychology And Crime Work-Based Learning Unit 1 (PSY008-1) Compulsory
- Study Skills And Social Research (PSY006-1) Compulsory
- Crime And Social Control (PSY008-2) Compulsory
- Professional Development And Research In Psychology (PSY007-2) Compulsory
- Psychology And Crime Work-Based Learning 2 (PSY009-2) Compulsory
- Social And Lifespan Development (PSY014-2) Compulsory
Throughout your course you will encounter a wide variety of assessment types which are collectively designed to suit the diversity of individual learning styles and preferences. Whilst you will be expected to sit some examinations, the overall assessment diet strongly favours different forms of coursework. You will receive helpful feedback on each assignment which will help you to develop your own academic and transferable skills, and inform the completion of your future assessments. In the first year several of the written coursework assignments allow for formative assessment prior to the summative assessment. This mean you will have the opportunity to present a first draft of your assignment with the expectation of being given feedback which will offer you guidance for how to develop and refine your assignment, The process of peer reviewing is used for this purpose in both the Contemporary Youth Justice and the Foundations in Psychology units. Importantly, this peer review process in the first year will not only serve to support you in developing your written assignments, but it also affords you an opportunity to practice your oral presentation skills in front of the class of your fellow students and tutors. In these first instances your presentation is not actually assessed but again you will received feedback that will be of benefit when you come to undertake formally assessed presentations later in your course (for example on Crime and Social Control.
Reasons to study in the School of Psychology
- Our BSc and MSc courses are BPS accredited
- We teach in Psychology Labs, so you'll get theoretical and practical experience
Entry Requirements
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.
As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 32-48 points, based on your level 3 studies.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
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.
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
Entry Requirements
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.
As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 32-48 points, based on your level 3 studies.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
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.
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
You may progress to the 3rd year BA (Hons) Psychology and Criminal Behaviour, BA (Hons) Psychological Studies or BA (Hons) Criminology, or to further training or employment.
Opportunities for Foundation degree graduates include some areas of social work, youth work including in youth offender teams, prison work, working with substance abuse, counselling, teaching or the police. There may also be opportunities in Human Resources.
If you wish to gain a British Psychological Society accredited degree you can progress on to the 2nd year, Level 5, of the BSc (Hons) Psychology or BSc Psychology and Criminal Behaviour at the University of Bedfordshire.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree delivered at our Partner Institutions for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £6,165 per year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £6,165 per year.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree delivered at our Partner Institutions for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £6,165 per year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £6,165 per year.
Extra Costs
Bedfordshire is a small county with lots to offer.
However you enjoy spending your free time, you won’t have to look far in Bedfordshire to find somewhere to relax, socialise or explore the great outdoors.
We are also conveniently located around 30 minutes by train from London, offering you the city experience with a homely feel.
Bedfordshire offers:
- A range of pubs, clubs and restaurants
- High street and independent shopping
- Museums, galleries and theatres - and our own University Theatre
- Entertainment centres
- Stunning countryside
- Professional sport and world-class facilities
- Headquarters of a number of notable UK and international companies
- Luton International Carnival and Bedford River Festival
Campuses in Buckinghamshire
We also have campuses in Aylesbury and Milton Keynes
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
