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“At the University of Bolton, we take great pride in providing a quality, supportive learning environment for our students.” Professor George E Holmes DL | President & Vice Chancellor
“...tutors are very supportive and you’re not just a student ID number, at this university you are an individual with a name.” Ellisse Vernon | BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
BSc (Hons) Criminological and Forensic Psychology with foundation year
Are you interested in the psychological aspects of criminology and forensics? Our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Criminological and Forensic Psychology with foundation year degree is a dynamic course that reflects contemporary approaches to offending behaviour. During the final year of this course, you'll engage with professional settings, providing valuable work experience for your CV.
Key information
Award:
BSc (Hons)
Mode of Study:
Full-time
Duration:
4 years
Location:
University of Bolton
UCAS points:
48
UCAS code:
CF85
Start date:
25/09/2023
Course Details
Studying in our well-respected, vibrant learning and research culture, the University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Criminological and Forensic Psychology with foundation year degree offers you an in-depth understanding of offending behaviour from both offender and victim perspectives. We are committed to bringing criminological and forensic psychology to life away from the classroom by offering you an array of innovative and practical learning opportunities.
The foundation year is the first year of this degree, offering an excellent grounding in the fundamentals of psychology, social sciences and research methods alongside study skills development. It's designed to prepare you for degree-level study.
Our supportive and experienced team will help you gain a strong foundation in the theories and practice of psychology, focusing on forensic theories including aggression, sexual offending, terrorism and delinquent behaviour. We'll also lead you in an exploration of legal and court psychology, including interviewing techniques used by the police and issues around court testimony.
As a graduate of this course, you'll be well prepared to pursue further study and careers in a variety of areas, including the prison service, health, police, probation service, victim support and services targeting families of offenders or victims. Accredited by the British Psychological Society, our course enables you, on achievement of the required grade, to progress to further professional qualifications and employment as a registered psychologist.
Highlights
Our Psychology courses are ranked top 10 in the UK and first in Greater Manchester for student satisfaction for the fourth year running, according to the Complete University Guide 2022.
Also, The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 ranks our Criminology courses first in the North West of England for teaching quality and student experience for the second year running.
This course is one of only a few criminological and forensic psychology degrees in the UK accredited by the British Psychological Society. Accredited as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC), this degree is the first step toward becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Based at our main campus in Greater Manchester, the University of Bolton has invested in creating a learning environment that offers innovative methods of teaching and assessment using top-class facilities, such as our observation and psychophysiology laboratories.
We work hard to ensure the course evolves in response to current issues in psychology. For example, our curriculum includes up-to-date teaching around the themes of honour-based violence and terrorism.
Our highly-qualified staff, who have substantial experience in the field, deliver our course content. By offering personal supervision throughout the course, we aim to give you the best possible opportunity to achieve your true potential.
We'll encourage you to complete the British Psychological Society accredited Occupational Testing Level A Certificate, which is highly recommended for a career in this field.
Key Features
You'll explore the theories and principles of forensic psychology and how these are applied in legal and other offender settings. You'll also discuss the social and psychological context of offending and examine methods for collating, assessing, and analysing data.
To help you learn how psychological theories are applied to the activities of psychology staff when they're working with offenders or victims of crime, you'll have the chance to participate in various workshops where you can practise and receive feedback on core skills.
Your personal tutor will be on hand to support you throughout your degree, one of our team of helpful and approachable psychology staff with a diverse range of research interests and professional experience.
We focus strongly on employability skills and the practical application of your studies as well as academic success. Workshops include leading group therapy and conducting a risk assessment with opportunities for placements in a relevant work setting.
The applied nature of criminological and forensic psychology is stressed throughout the course, and you'll carry out a criminal justice-related work placement in your final year.
By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Professional recognition
Successful completion of the University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Criminological and Forensic Psychology degree course is approved as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society, provided the minimum standard of qualification of second class honours is achieved.
The British Psychological Society is the professional body for psychologists.
48 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications
Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3.
You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
We'll be happy to consider your application if you have non-traditional entry qualifications, relevant experience, or a suitable portfolio of work that we deem a reasonable substitute for the qualifications we typically accept for this course.
You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
The University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Criminological and Forensic Psychology with foundation year course will support you in developing a deep understanding of how psychology can be applied to explain certain aspects of crime and criminal behaviour.
When you successfully complete the course, you'll be able to demonstrate graduate skills such as analysing complex information and data, investigating problems and formulating plans to solve them. You'll also possess skills in deductive reasoning, conducting research independently, reflection, producing and presenting information accurately, and understanding social and legal issues.
What can I do with this qualification?
By undertaking this qualification, you'll have the opportunity to develop a broad range of skills relevant to careers such as work in prisons and secure units, the police force, specialist hospitals, court systems, forensic services, immigration, education and private practice. This course's scientific and research elements also support roles in research and academia.
Psychology graduates with British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation can also progress onto professional qualifications in applied psychology. Studying applied criminology and forensic psychology at the postgraduate level will allow you to develop a range of analytical and practical skills benefitting you as a practitioner or researcher.
Our BSc (Hons) Criminological and Forensic Psychology with foundation year graduates can also progress to graduate schemes. These are long-term employment contracts, usually with a large corporate company offering advanced training packages.
Alternative career options
Graduates can use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Possible areas of employment include:
Youth justice
Mental health
Probation
Child protection
Crime reduction
Social work
Family support and mediation
Counselling
Nursing
Advice work
Training
Market research
Careers advice and guidance
Human resources
Retail management
Course fees
Home Fees
Year of study
Total
Entry year
2023/24
2024/25
2025/26
2026/27
2027/28
2023
£9,250
£9,250
£9,250
£9,250
-
£37,000
International
Year of study
Total
Entry year
2023/24
2024/25
2025/26
2026/27
2027/28
2023
£10,350
£13,550
£13,550
£13,550
-
£51,000
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year:
EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status.
If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement.
Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
For 2022-2023 entry, the maximum government approved undergraduate tuition fee for UK students is £9,250 per year.
The University is able to charge this fee subject to an approved Access and Participation Plan for 2022-2023 and its current rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:
If you wish to apply for multiple institutions or multiple courses at Bolton for September entry, then apply through UCAS
You can apply for up to 5 courses through UCAS (at the same or different institutions) for a fee of £27.
Alternatively, if you only wish to apply for a single course at a single institution then a reduced applicant's
fee of £22.50 is applicable.
The online application form and guidance notes are available on the
UCAS website.
You will need the following information to complete your UCAS application form:
If you wish to apply for a single course offered by the University of Bolton for any intake, you can apply directly
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for
you, you may apply directly to the University using our online application form shown below.
A direct application to Bolton provides the following features:
Free of charge to apply
Secure, simple and streamlined
Contact us directly for any admissions queries
Regular updates on your application directly from the University
Invites to offer holder events and taster sessions where you can meet your future tutors and get a flavour of university life
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to Bolton. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during
the same academic year will void any direct application you make to Bolton.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course.
We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the
University of Bolton, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select
the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format.
Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page.
If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or
UGadmissions@bolton.ac.uk
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
Have you completed an English Language qualification prior to application or have a valid exemption as per the list below?
(The qualification/exemption must be uploaded with this application)
E.g. Applicants from Nigeria/Africa must upload their WAEC or NECO certificate before the application is
submitted for a prompt response and offer.
Acceptable English Language Tests – Undergraduate and Postgraduate
These tests must have been taken within 2 years of the start of the course
Test
Entry Requirements
IELTS Academic (taken within 2 years)
Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
IELTS Indicator
Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
PTE
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 50 with no less than 42 in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall score of 58 with no less than 50 in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall score of 65 with no less than 58 in each component
TOEFL iBT Including Special Home Edition
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 80 with the following component scores:
Reading – 18
Writing – 17
Listening – 17
Speaking - 20
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall Score of 88 with the following component scores:
Reading – 20
Writing – 19
Listening – 19
Speaking 21
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall Score of 100 with the following component scores:
Reading – 23
Writing – 24
Listening – 22
Speaking 22
Pearson Versant
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 55
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall score of 60
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall score of 65
Trinity College (Integrated Skills)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
ISE II –Distinction in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
ISE III – Pass in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
ISE III – Merit in each component
Other qualifications we currently accept (which do not require an additional SELT)
GCSE in English Language (from a UK awarding body)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level English
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C/C3 (20 points)
IGCSE English as a First language
(for syllabus 0500 Listening and Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
IGCSE English as a Second language
(for syllabus 0510 Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
Cambridge Advanced English
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
170 points with no component below 160
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
180 points with no component below 170
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
185 points with no component below 180
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus A)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 4
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 5
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus B)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 5
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 6
European Baccalaureate English Language
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 70%
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 80%
Acceptable European qualifications
English component must be obtained within the last 4 years
Country
Qualification
Austria
Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis at 2.0
Belgium
Diplome d'acces a l'enseignment superieur/Diplome van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs at 75%
Bulgaria
Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie at Grade 3
Croatia
Svjedodzba o Maturi at grade 4.0
Cyprus
Apolyterion at 15
Czech Republic
Maturitni Zkou'ce/Maturita at grade 2.0
Denmark
Studentereksamen/HF/HHX/HTX/IBB /Diplomingenior at grade 9
Estonia
Riigieksamitunnistus or Gümnaasiumilõputunnistus at 70%
Finland
Ylioppilastutkintotodistus or Studentexamensbetyg at grade 5
France
Baccalauréat (le bac) or the Option Internationale du Baccalauréat at grade 12.5
Germany
Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife or Abitur or a Fachgebundene Hochschulreife at grade 2 / gut
Greece
Apolyterion at grade 15
Hungary
Erettsegi at grade 4
Italy
Diploma di Esame di Stato at grade 8/80%
Latvia
Atestats Par Visparejo Videjo Izglitib at grade 8
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas at grade 8
Malta
Matriculation Certificate at grade C
Moldova
Diploma de Bacalaureat or Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultura Generala at grade 9
Netherlands
Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO) or Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) at grade 8
Norway
Vitnemal-Videregaende Opplaering at grade 4
Poland
Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci / Matura at grade 70%
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundario at grade 14
Romania
Diploma de Bacalaureat (English with all components at B2)
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie O Maturitnej at grade 2
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo at grade 4
Spain
Titulo de Bachillerato at grade 8
Sweden
Fullstandigt Slutbetyg Fran Gymnasiesk at grade C
Switzerland
Maturitatszeugnis or Maturite Federal at grade 5
Ukraine
Aтестат про повну загальну середню освіту at grade 10
Acceptable International Regional qualifications
Must be obtained no more than 4 years before the proposed start date of the course
Country
Qualification
Grade
Bahamas
General Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Botswana
General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level
Grade C/4 in English
Brunei
Cambridge O Level
Grade C6 in English
Cameroon
GCE O level
Grade C in English
Hong Kong
HKCEE
Grade C in English (Syllabus B)
Hong Kong
HKDSE
Grade 4 in English
Kenya
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Malaysia
Malaysian 1119
Grade 6C in English - IELTS 6.0
Singapore
Singapore Cambridge O Level
Grade C6 in English
South Africa
South Africa National Senior Certificate
Grade 5 in English
Tanzania
Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Uganda
Certificate of Education
Grade 6
Zambia
Zambia School Certificate
Grade 6 in English
Zimbabwe
General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level
Grade C in English
Caribbean Examination Council
General proficiency Grade III in English
Nigeria/Ghana
WAEC/NECO
Grade C6 in English
I confirm I hold one of the above English Language Qualifications/Exemptions before making an application. I will upload the evidence with this application.
Unfortunately we would be unable to sponsor under the Student Route Visa. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK please email us for further advice: intadmissions@bolton.ac.uk
Have you read and understood the course entry requirements and confirm that you fully meet the requirements?
(Please click on Entry Requirements tab above to ensure you comply with all the requirements for this course)
I understand that the university reserves the right to withdraw their offer at any stage once the quota for the course has been filled.
I understand that I will be required to pay specific fees before CAS issuance is considered by the university.
I must declare any agent or consultant at the start of my application and they must be on the list of approved agents.
(We also have Branch Offices in Africa,
South Asia, Middle East and
Central Asia who fully manage
applications in their respective regions.)
I am able to complete the course in the normal duration.
I am able to arrive on time for the published start date.
I confirm that I will be 18 years old or more on the start date of the course.
I understand that the following documents will be uploaded as part my application:
(a) Passport with at least 6 months validity before start of course.
(b) Personal statement (written by myself).
(c) CV if applicable.
(d) Previous qualifications.
(e) English language certificate or proof of exemption.
(f) Professional references if applicable.
(g) Bank Statements and TB Certificate if applicable at the CAS issuance stage.
I have read and understood all questions and answered them correctly and truthfully to the best of my ability and knowledge.
The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world.
We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.
How you apply is determined by your current location and what you are choosing to study:
Apply direct to the University. Links for the next available intakes of this course are shown below.
Please click the link which will direct you to the online application form. Please read the user
guidance before completing this.
Apply via one of our approved in-country referral partners. A list of our partners may be found on the
International pages of this website.
Apply via UCAS for courses starting in September only – visit
www.ucas.com.
Should you have any queries please contact the International Team on +44 (0) 1204 903110 or email
international@bolton.ac.uk
Bolton College
University Collegiate School
Alliance Learning
University of Bolton
For valued members of the University of Bolton Group and progressing students, we try to make our application
process as simple and as fast as possible.
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best
option for you, you may apply free of charge to the University. By selecting the appropriate link from the
list shown below, you will be taken directly to our online application form. Please read the user guidance
before completing this, and ensure you upload all supporting documents such as certificates and your
personal statement when you apply.
When you are asked to add a contact email address, please ensure you add your college/university email
account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact
address, we will be unable to identify you as a partner and offer you the benefits of being part of our group.
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to Bolton. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during
the same academic year will void any direct application you make to Bolton.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS
if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return
this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Bolton, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select
the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including email addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format.
Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page.
If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or
UGadmissions@bolton.ac.uk
We look forward to receiving your application and you continuing your academic journey with us!
Our teaching and learning strategies are student-centred. We use a blended approach, so you'll have face-to-face sessions, sometimes one-to-one, and take part in online learning. During the degree, you can expect a mix of seminars, lectures and tutorials, practical workshop demonstrations, critiques, study visits, self-directed study, IT and library sessions, and guided study. The University's e-learning portal Moodle will support your online learning and provides a convenient way for you to communicate with fellow students who are studying the same modules. We'll also encourage you to use the internet for research.
Guest lectures and presentations by visiting speakers from relevant employment areas offer you the chance to further develop your knowledge and understanding.
Our assessment strategy aims to help you organise and develop your learning and evaluate your achievement. Over the course of the degree, you can expect time-constrained exams and coursework, such as essays, reports, presentations, and portfolios. These contribute to your final marks and allow you to demonstrate that you've met the learning outcomes for the course. Much of your assessed work is submitted online via Moodle, with feedback also given through this route.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
Academic Language and Skills 1
Academic Language and Skills 2
Academic Language and Skills 5
Self-reflection and Self-presentation
Research Methods in Social Science
Perspectives in Psychology
Key Studies in Psychology
Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
Cognitive and Biopsychological Perspectives
Understanding the Person
Contemporary Issues in Psychology
Application of Psychology
Psychology and Crime
Cognitive Psychology
Biopsychology
Social and Critical Psychology
Research Methods in Psychology
Personality and Developmental Psychology
Psychology of Law and Justice
The Honours Project
Applied Experience
Applications in Forensic Psychology
Psychology of Loss and Trauma
Cyber Psychology and New Media
Psychology of Mental Health
Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Young Life and the Mind
Assessment methods
Level
Assesment method
Level one
Coursework 58%, Practical exams 8%, Written exams 34%
Level two
Coursework 33%, Practical exams 17%, Written exams 50%
Level three
Coursework 64%, Practical exams 36%
Learning activities
Level
Learning activity
Level one
Guided independent study 67%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 33%
Level two
Guided independent study 76%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 24%
Level three
Guided independent study 73%, Placement/study abroad 5%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22%
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
