Highlands College

FdSc Psychology with Criminology

We are the higher education college of the States of Jersey; all of our foundation and honours degrees are developed with industry professionals from a range of sectors. Take advantage of our work-based learning philosophy and get a head start in your career.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Optional modules

    • The Research Process in The Social Sciences (HIGH1047)

      In this module students will examine the key stages in the process of conducting research, including information management and retrieval skills, ICT skills, methodological, technical, political and ethical issues facing researchers. Students will be introduced to the key techniques of descriptive statistics.

    • Criminology and the Problem of Crime (HIGH1066)

      This module introduces students to the subject of criminology. It emphasises criminology's multidisciplinarity and the different perspectives, methods and sources of information that it draws upon in developing theories about the different causes and problematisations of crime and deviance.

    • Social Psychology: Theory and Practice (HIGH1067)

      This module discusses social psychology as the scientific study of human behaviour, the way behaviour is influenced by others and the social or work context it takes place in. It will provide an introduction to the schools of thought and the central concepts of social psychology including; sense of self, attitudes, social compliance, conformity, obedience to authority, group performance and conflict, interpersonal attraction pro and antisocial behaviour. Additionally, research theories supporting social psychology will be discussed.

    • Applied Criminology 1: An Introduction to Criminal Justice and Community Safety (HIGH1070)

      The roles and practices of criminal justice institutions in England, Wales and Jersey, are described and students are introduced to sentencing in different jurisdictions, including sentencing objectives, options and patterns. The module also introduces the concept of the honorary system of informal justice that forms the cornerstone of Jersey practice.

    • Developmental Psychology (HIGH1071)

      This module is concerned with psychological change over time. It looks at cognitive, moral and self-concept development as well as the characteristics and consequences of key life stages from adolescence to old age.

    • The Psychology of Individual Differences (HIGH1072)

      This module is concerned with the manner in which people differ on characteristics such as personality, intelligence, self-esteem and gender identity. The role of heredity and the environment as causal factors in shaping key facets of our individuality will be examined as will some methodological issues relating to the measurement of these life-long, personal attributes.

  • Year 2

  • Optional modules

    • The Research Process in The Social Sciences (HIGH1047)

      In this module students will examine the key stages in the process of conducting research, including information management and retrieval skills, ICT skills, methodological, technical, political and ethical issues facing researchers. Students will be introduced to the key techniques of descriptive statistics.

    • Criminology and the Problem of Crime (HIGH1066)

      This module introduces students to the subject of criminology. It emphasises criminology's multidisciplinarity and the different perspectives, methods and sources of information that it draws upon in developing theories about the different causes and problematisations of crime and deviance.

    • Social Psychology: Theory and Practice (HIGH1067)

      This module discusses social psychology as the scientific study of human behaviour, the way behaviour is influenced by others and the social or work context it takes place in. It will provide an introduction to the schools of thought and the central concepts of social psychology including; sense of self, attitudes, social compliance, conformity, obedience to authority, group performance and conflict, interpersonal attraction pro and antisocial behaviour. Additionally, research theories supporting social psychology will be discussed.

    • Applied Criminology 1: An Introduction to Criminal Justice and Community Safety (HIGH1070)

      The roles and practices of criminal justice institutions in England, Wales and Jersey, are described and students are introduced to sentencing in different jurisdictions, including sentencing objectives, options and patterns. The module also introduces the concept of the honorary system of informal justice that forms the cornerstone of Jersey practice.

    • Developmental Psychology (HIGH1071)

      This module is concerned with psychological change over time. It looks at cognitive, moral and self-concept development as well as the characteristics and consequences of key life stages from adolescence to old age.

    • The Psychology of Individual Differences (HIGH1072)

      This module is concerned with the manner in which people differ on characteristics such as personality, intelligence, self-esteem and gender identity. The role of heredity and the environment as causal factors in shaping key facets of our individuality will be examined as will some methodological issues relating to the measurement of these life-long, personal attributes.

    • Research Methods in the Social Sciences (HIGH2037)

      This module extends and develops the key academic skills covered in the basic research methods elements from year one; it seeks to facilitate both applied research at the intermediate undergraduate level, and subsequently, the writing of a substantial honour project/dissertations.

    • Criminal Justice & Penology (HIGH2053)

    • Applied Criminology 2 - Youth Justice, Restorative Justice and Victims of Crime (HIGH2061)

      This module will assess key socio-political issues and debates that have shaped youth justice in modern Britain and the Channel Islands. Students will engage with a range of research focusing upon reactions to crime, with specific focus on restorative justice and how governments (including the States of Jersey) are working towards bringing victims and witnesses of crime to the centre of the justice process.

    • Psychology of Abnormal Behaviour (HIGH2062)

      This module will help students understand the theoretical basis, causes, assessment and treatment of a range of psychological difficulties. It provides a degree of continuity to some of the content of the first-year developmental psychology module.

    • Cognitive and Biological Psychology (HIGH2063)

      This module will allow students to understand our common cognitive processes. It will also outline the characteristics and functioning of some the biological bases of behaviour. The role of imaging, neurological case studies and localisation of function, common to both areas, will be emphasised.

    • Work Based Learning (HIGH2065)

      This module allows students to experience a short work placement within an organisational setting. The focus is to allow students to carry out work activities using key skills developed both within this and other modules, and to contextualise their experiences within the workplace. To develop an understanding of the links between theory and practice.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding

As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

How to apply

For further information and to apply for this course, please contact the college's admissions team directly using the contact details below. 

Progression routes

Completing this course enables you to progress onto these related courses and programmes with the University of Plymouth at level 5 or level 6, as specifically defined by this programme’s progression agreement.

For further information, including the progression from foundation degree form, please visit https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/business-partners/partnerships/academic-partnerships/study-guide/progression-to-honours-degree

Our partnership with Highlands College

The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Please contact Highlands College to apply for this course:

Highlands College, Jersey
P.O. Box 1000 
St. Saviour 
JE4 9QA

Tel: +441534608608
Email: reception@highlands.ac.uk

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Plymouth students working on a group project