Open University

BA (Honours) in Criminology and Psychology

Knowledge and understanding

On gaining this qualification, you will:

• Have a critical understanding and extensive knowledge of key concepts and theoretical approaches to crime, harm, victimisation and criminal justice
• Have extensive knowledge and critical understanding of key approaches to psychology, and understand how psychological theories and research are applied in practical or professional contexts
• Understand a range of ethical issues and research methods in criminology and psychology, and their appropriate use
• Have developed a critical awareness of how social interests, positions and values may impact policies and practices in criminal justice and psychology.

Cognitive skills

On gaining this qualification you will be able to:

• Identify and select evidence from a variety of sources and interpret, analyse, and critically evaluate evidence of crime, criminalisation and human behaviour including recognising the possible limitations of sources
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key criminological and psychological theories, concepts and principles
• Deploy a conceptual understanding of criminology and psychology to explore a range of complex social problems and to devise and sustain arguments
• Select and apply appropriate methods and techniques to review, consolidate and extend knowledge and understanding of crime, criminalisation and human behaviour.

Practical and/or professional skills

On gaining this qualification you will be able to:

• Recognise and critically evaluate personal viewpoints and engage the views of others with respect
• Demonstrate the skills of independent learning
• Learn from feedback and reflect on the process of learning to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses
• Identify and work toward targets for personal, academic and career development.

Key skills

On gaining this qualification you will be able to:

• Accurately and effectively communicate information about crime, criminalisation and human behaviour, in ways that are suitable for a range of audiences, both formally and informally
• Select, access and exploit a wide range of digital literacy tools and resources (and the practices associated with them) to find, use and share data relevant to crime, criminalisation and human behaviour
• Plan, conduct and present an independent investigation of an issue in crime, criminalisation and human behaviour that involves collating, analysing and interpreting secondary data
• Work with other learners in group situations to achieve shared outcomes.

This degree has three stages, each comprising two 60-credit modules.

• At Stage 1 you’ll study two introductory modules – one with a focus on criminology and one on psychology.
• Next, in Stage 2, you’ll look at criminology and psychology in greater depth.
• Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll draw your studies together through an applied approach to counselling and forensic psychology and an investigation of crime, harm and the state.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll start your degree with:

• Introduction to criminology (DD105)

You'll complete this stage with:

• Encountering psychology in context (D120)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study the following:

• Understanding Criminology (DD212)
• Living psychology: from the every day to the extraordinary (DD210)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Crime, harm and the state (DD311)
• Counselling and forensic psychology: investigating crime and therapy (DD310)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

You’ll be introduced to skills that will enable you to analyse everyday understandings of crime and the criminal justice system. You will also develop the skills needed to critically assess aspects of human behaviour, and some of the principles of forensic psychology and counselling. Alongside these you will build on a wide range of transferable general skills which may further help your work or career prospects, including:

• Identifying and understanding data and information
• Analysing and assessing evidence
• Applying your learning to practical problems and issues
• Working independently
• Reflecting on your learning
• Developing strategies to update your knowledge
• Communicating and presenting coherent arguments.

Career relevance

This degree is relevant to a wide range of career paths, some of which are listed below. Some relate directly to criminology and psychology, while others draw upon the graduate skills that you’ll acquire. Successful graduates may also progress to specialist master's courses. This degree does not provide direct entry to the career fields listed, but it may ease access and increase your employability, and it enhances prospects for progression once you are qualified to enter them. Successful completion does not make you eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) conferred by the British Psychological Society.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.