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Psychology, Sociology and Criminology

Undergraduate Pathway in Psychology

Birmingham City University’s School of Social Sciences is focused on developing insights into society and understanding everything from crime and punishment to social structures and change.

Degrees are accredited by the British Psychological Society and supported by cutting-edge facilities, including the Observation Lab with VR equipment.

Through participation in the Social Impact Hub, you will have the opportunity to work on real-life projects.


Duration

  • One or two semesters

Intakes

  • September
  • January
  • May

Entry Points

  • Foundation

Study Psychology at Birmingham City School of Social Sciences

Progression Degrees

BSc (Hons) Psychology

You will use scientific approaches to understand the mind, the brain and human behaviour. Modules will cover a range of fascinating topics, including:

  • Psychology of individual differences and personality
  • Introduction to psychopathology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Ageing and the brain.

Find out more: BSc (Hons) Psychology

Foundation Modules - Psychology

One-Semester Foundation

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Researching and referencing techniques.

Composition and Style

This module will define the core principles of effective academic writing, including:

  • How to argue a position coherently and appropriately
  • Distinguishing between descriptive and analytic writing
  • Identifying academic systems of researching and referencing.

Business Studies

You will learn to define what a business is and its functions in relation to the different types of business costs. You will also be introduced to marketing, the marketing mix and product life cycle.

Numerical Techniques 2

This module covers a variety of numerical techniques associated with basic number theory, including:

  • Cartesian coordinates
  • Indices
  • Logarithms
  • Polynomial, quadratic and simultaneous equations
  • Geometric progressions.

ICT Skills

This module will introduce you to the concepts of ICT skills, including applications and reporting mechanisms.

Two-Semester Foundation

Semester 1

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Researching and referencing techniques.

Composition and Style

This module will define the core principles of effective academic writing, including:

  • How to argue a position coherently and appropriately
  • Distinguishing between descriptive and analytic writing
  • Identifying academic systems of researching and referencing.

Numerical Techniques 1

This module will introduce you to basic mathematics and mathematical applications – including equations, algebraic problems and trigonometry.

Business Studies

You will learn to define what a business is and its functions in relation to the different types of business costs. You will also be introduced to marketing, the marketing mix and product life cycle.

Semester 2

Critical Thinking

You will be introduced to the fundamentals of critical thinking. You will learn how to examine and comment on components of an argument, so that you can develop a structured and analytical response.

Numerical Techniques 2

This module covers a variety of numerical techniques associated with basic number theory, including:

  • Cartesian coordinates
  • Indices
  • Logarithms
  • Polynomial, quadratic and simultaneous equations
  • Geometric progressions.

ICT Skills

This module will introduce you to the concepts of ICT skills, including applications and reporting mechanisms.

Globalisation

You will explore how the concept of globalisation has evolved, looking at:

  • The economic, political, technological and social forces involved
  • Local/regional beliefs that become global.

Three-Semester Foundation

Semester 1

Academic English

This module focuses on speaking and listening, reading and vocabulary, writing and grammar, and academic writing. The aim is to build your confidence in communication.

Numeracy Skills

You will gain basic skills in counting, solving number problems, measuring, estimating, sorting, noticing patterns, and adding and subtracting numbers.

Creative Concepts

TBC

Seminar Sessions (Employability)

TBC

Semester 2

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Researching and referencing techniques.

Composition and Style

This module will define the core principles of effective academic writing, including:

  • How to argue a position coherently and appropriately
  • Distinguishing between descriptive and analytic writing
  • Identifying academic systems of researching and referencing.

Numerical Techniques 1

This module will introduce you to basic mathematics and mathematical applications – including equations, algebraic problems and trigonometry.

Business Studies

You will learn to define what a business is and its functions in relation to the different types of business costs. You will also be introduced to marketing, the marketing mix and product life cycle.

Semester 3

Critical Thinking

You will be introduced to the fundamentals of critical thinking. You will learn how to examine and comment on components of an argument, so that you can develop a structured and analytical response.

Numerical Techniques 2

This module covers a variety of numerical techniques associated with basic number theory, including:

  • Cartesian coordinates
  • Indices
  • Logarithms
  • Polynomial, quadratic and simultaneous equations
  • Geometric progressions.

ICT Skills

This module will introduce you to the concepts of ICT skills, including applications and reporting mechanisms.

Globalisation

You will explore how the concept of globalisation has evolved, looking at:

  • The economic, political, technological and social forces involved
  • Local/regional beliefs that become global.

Foundation Modules - Criminology & Sociology

One-Semester Foundation

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Researching and referencing techniques.

Composition and Style

This module will define the core principles of effective academic writing, including:

  • How to argue a position coherently and appropriately
  • Distinguishing between descriptive and analytic writing
  • Identifying academic systems of researching and referencing.

Business Studies

You will learn to define what a business is and its functions in relation to the different types of business costs. You will also be introduced to marketing, the marketing mix and product life cycle.

Numerical Techniques 2

This module covers a variety of numerical techniques associated with basic number theory, including:

  • Cartesian coordinates
  • Indices
  • Logarithms
  • Polynomial, quadratic and simultaneous equations
  • Geometric progressions.

ICT Skills

This module will introduce you to the concepts of ICT skills, including applications and reporting mechanisms.

Two-Semester Foundation

Semester 1

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Researching and referencing techniques.

Composition and Style

This module will define the core principles of effective academic writing, including:

  • How to argue a position coherently and appropriately
  • Distinguishing between descriptive and analytic writing
  • Identifying academic systems of researching and referencing.

Critical Thinking

You will be introduced to the fundamentals of critical thinking. You will learn how to examine and comment on components of an argument, so that you can develop a structured and analytical response.

Numerical Techniques 1

This module will introduce you to basic mathematics and mathematical applications – including equations, algebraic problems and trigonometry.

Semester 2

Mass Communications

This module will introduce you to the core concepts and principles relevant to mass communications, including some of the major theories.

Numerical Techniques 2

This module covers a variety of numerical techniques associated with basic number theory, including:

  • Cartesian coordinates
  • Indices
  • Logarithms
  • Polynomial, quadratic and simultaneous equations
  • Geometric progressions.

ICT Skills

This module will introduce you to the concepts of ICT skills, including applications and reporting mechanisms.

Globalisation

You will explore how the concept of globalisation has evolved, looking at:

  • The economic, political, technological and social forces involved
  • Local/regional beliefs that become global.

Three-Semester Foundation

Semester 1

Academic English

This module focuses on speaking and listening, reading and vocabulary, writing and grammar, and academic writing. The aim is to build your confidence in communication.

Numeracy Skills

You will gain basic skills in counting, solving number problems, measuring, estimating, sorting, noticing patterns, and adding and subtracting numbers.

Study Skills

TBC

Seminar Sessions (Employability)

TBC

Semester 2

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Researching and referencing techniques.

Composition and Style

This module will define the core principles of effective academic writing, including:

  • How to argue a position coherently and appropriately
  • Distinguishing between descriptive and analytic writing
  • Identifying academic systems of researching and referencing.

Critical Thinking

You will be introduced to the fundamentals of critical thinking. You will learn how to examine and comment on components of an argument, so that you can develop a structured and analytical response.

Numerical Techniques 1

This module will introduce you to basic mathematics and mathematical applications – including equations, algebraic problems and trigonometry.

Semester 3

Mass Communications

This module will introduce you to the core concepts and principles relevant to mass communications, including some of the major theories.

Numerical Techniques 2

This module covers a variety of numerical techniques associated with basic number theory, including:

  • Cartesian coordinates
  • Indices
  • Logarithms
  • Polynomial, quadratic and simultaneous equations
  • Geometric progressions.

ICT Skills

This module will introduce you to the concepts of ICT skills, including applications and reporting mechanisms.

Globalisation

You will explore how the concept of globalisation has evolved, looking at:

  • The economic, political, technological and social forces involved
  • Local/regional beliefs that become global.

Career Prospects

  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Counsellor
  • Psychotherapist
  • Occupational Psychologist
  • Forensic Psychologist

Industry-standard Facilities

BCU’s School of Social Sciences is based in the Curzon Building on the City Centre Campus and contains resources that support curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry. Take a look at where you will be studying and the facilities available to you.

Our Facilities – Psychology
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