Overview
Contemporary Psychology is a scientific discipline dealing with human behaviour, cognition and action. In psychology at UCS you will explore and examine the interaction between mind and behaviour, the nature of the unconscious, the functioning of memory, individual behaviour in social situations, prejudice and altruism. Psychology at UCS equips students with a thorough grounding in each of the major fields: social psychology, developmental psychology, biological psychology, and cognitive psychology. The focus of the teaching and learning of psychology at UCS is on allowing students to explore fundamental questions about human behaviour, while learning about the importance of research, evidence collection and adherence to ethical codes.
Students studying criminology at UCS will be challenged to seek answers to fundamental questions such as: What is crime? Who are the criminals? Are we all equal before the law? What are the unintended consequences of legislation? How do we prevent crime? Criminology is an academic discipline with strong roots in Sociology, Psychology, Law, Social Policy and Philosophy. It is a discipline with a number of robust and lively theoretical and empirical debates. Through engaging in these debates students will gain the very important undergraduate skill of critical understanding.
Students will challenge ‘common-sense’ notions of criminal and deviant behaviours by critically examining academic research and making informed decisions based on available evidence. Criminology is an inherently reflexive discipline in that it studies and deals with public issues that have a contested value basis. To this end, students will be introduced to a variety of research methods and ethical considerations, so that they can challenge and understand the limitations and ambiguities of research, whilst assessing its value.
Psychology and Criminology at UCS offers:
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A thorough grounding in the major fields within psychology
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An emphasis upon research methods
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Specialist modules to explore contemporary developments in psychology
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An emphasis upon the criminal justice system
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Engagement with lively and controversial contemporary debates
Employers value the qualities and skills of Psychology and Criminology graduates, and most students find suitable work within a short time of graduation. A number of students also go on to study for a Masters, a PGCE or a Doctorate.
Typical employers include local and central government industry, commerce, the NHS, the prison service, the probation service, education authorities, further and higher education institutions, and charitable, counselling and voluntary organisations.
Further Information
''I studied Psychology and Criminology at UCS. I found the course interesting and challenging. Lectures were informative and engaging, and seminars provided the opportunity to enhance learning through debate and class discussion. The programme has inspired me to pursue a career in a Social Science discipline. My next step is to progress to Postgraduate study in a relevant area. While considering the most appropriate programme I have taken some time out from my studies and have been working for UCS in Academic Support. This role has opened my eyes to the hard work that goes on ‘behind the scenes’. The course has changed my way of thinking and working. I’m therefore able to work more effectively. I can’t wait to continue with further study, and I’m very grateful to the UCS lecturers for the support and encouragement they have given me in achieving my longer term objectives''. Colin Boyd – BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology
Careers
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The most recent figures available from the Higher Education Statistics Agency
(HESA) reveal that 85% of Psychology and Criminology graduates in 2011/12 found employment within six months of graduation.
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Around 60% of graduate jobs are open to graduates of any discipline and Psychology and Criminology graduates are well equipped with the advanced skills and confidence to thrive in a variety of occupations.
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Psychology and Criminology graduates are good at problem solving, have good analytical and research skills, and have excellent information and data management skills
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Employability is taken very seriously at UCS and employers are directly involved in a number of taught and additional sessions over the course of the degree.
o Excellent links with Suffolk Constabulary, local magistrates, the Crown
Prosecution Service and the probation service.
o Important links to careers in psychology are made for level 5 and 6
students
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Quite a number of our graduates also go on to pursue further qualifications at masters and doctoral levels
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Online and face to face resources and advice are available from the UCS Careers and Employability Service for all UCS students.
For more information on careers for graduates please see:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk|
http://courses-careers.com/|
These are also excellent places to go to if you are unsure which career paths are opened up by particular degree courses.
For this course all modules are assessed and a range of assessment methods are used, including essays, reports, case studies, critiques, reviews and formal examinations.
Timetable
We try to keep the timetable for a full time student to be spread over 4 days throughout the degree course.
Find out more about:
The School of Applied Social Sciences|
UCS Ipswich|