Psychology and Law (Joint Honours) BA (Hons)

• Overview

  This popular combination invites you to combine the understanding of human behaviour, development, thoughts and emotions from Psychology and develop this alongside a detailed understanding of the Law.

  We will support you to achieve your career and study ambitions, which is why if you complete our Employability Plus Gold programme or Changemaker Gold certificate alongside your studies and if you haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating* we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you, or support you into postgraduate study.

  *with a 2:2 degree classification or higher.

  Course

  Highlights

  • British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation.*
  • Flexible module choices to tailor your degree to your needs.
  • Progression courses available.
  • Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.

  HP Laptop and software included with this course.*

  *Terms and Conditions apply

  Apply Now Open Days

  
• Course Details

  You will are encouraged to develop employability skills through volunteering opportunities, events, workshops and research placements.

  Psychology is concerned with understanding people’s actions and mental experiences. Psychology explores the nature of human behaviour and experience and the various ways in which they can be studied. It focuses upon the major issues and methods of enquiry in present-day Psychology and considers the applications of Psychology to problems of modern life in such fields as work, education, physical and mental health and crime. The combination of the two subjects provides depth and width of understanding of the relationship between the two areas.

  The Law modules are designed with three basic aims: to provide a sound basic legal education, to cater for the teaching of Law in its social, economic and political context and to complement other subject areas in the Joint Honours courses.

  You will gain practical experience from moots and mock trials in our dedicated Moot Room, visiting law firms and career advice. Law also offers a student mentoring scheme with Shoosmiths solicitors.

  With a detailed insight into the Law, you are able to understand how it relates and responds to crime and criminal acts in society and conversely how criminal acts and changes in the behaviour, organisation and types of crime have impacted on how Laws are enforced and new ones developed.

  Stage one

  You will be introduced to the core disciplines that underpin the academic analysis of both courses. Year one explores the introduction of Psychology and Criminology and provides an excellent foundation of knowledge for you to advance to year two.

  The other modules in this stage enable students to acquire skills in the design and execution of a range of psychological and academic research methods, the analysis and interpretation of data and technical report writing.

  You will build on the fundamentals of Psychology and Law, exploring the basics of biological, cognitive, social and developmental psychology. You will benefit from a varied and imaginative modular scheme, which is designed to offer you a wide range of options in addition to the foundation subjects identified by the legal professional bodies.

  You are required to take three compulsory 20 credit modules from each of their chosen courses to attain a total of 120 credits.

  For Law there are four compulsory modules: Law of Contract, Criminal Law, Learning the Law and Public Law.

  For Psychology, year one comprises three compulsory 20 credit modules and introduces the major theoretical approaches to understanding human behaviour.

  Stage two

  Second year will take you into more detailed and developed areas, considering the wider issues and debates surrounding Psychology and Law.

  Within Psychology, year two provides a wide range of ten credit and 20 credit modules enabling you to study a number of core areas in detail, with sufficient flexibility to select according to your interests and career plans. Your final choice of modules will be partly determined by the specific award you choose.

  To become eligible for GBR, you would complete the following six ten-credit modules and the 20 credit Research Methods and Data Analysis. You will consider a deeper analysis of their modules using professional theoretical research in their subject areas to supplement learning, growth, development and knowledge.

  Within Law, you are introduced to issues and methods in social science research, whilst a focus on crime and justice forms the broader organising theme at this stage, taking students through the levels of criminal justice procedures, from point of arrest to disposal of criminal cases at court.

  You will consider a deeper analysis of their modules using professional theoretical research in their subject areas to supplement learning, growth, development and knowledge.

  Stage three*

  At this stage, you will have the opportunity to develop specialised and intensive study on areas and aspects of Psychology and Law that you find particularly interesting.

  You can select from the wide range of advanced Psychology modules on offer. There are modules on each of the applied psychological professions such as forensic psychology and clinical psychology. There are also modules reflecting the research expertise of our staff, for example Transpersonal Psychology and Positive Psychology. Psychology majors typically undertake an empirical dissertation with one-to-one guidance from a Psychology lecturer.

  If a Law dissertation is chosen students can select from a range of option modules including:

  • Employment Law
  • Medical Law
  • European and International Human Rights Law
  • Terrorism
  • Legal Advice in the Community
  • Practical Legal Skills

  You, if you have an even split on their courses, can choose to write a dissertation on any topic within their Joint Honours course. The dissertation builds on and expands your prior knowledge of research methodology acquired at stage one and two. It aims to foster the development of expertise in methodology and skills in the planning, conduct and write-up of research reports. This form of independent, experiential learning will require you to ask logical questions to diagnose and define problems, generate and implement solutions and evaluate the effectiveness of their action-outcomes. This means this will develop your ability to work independently and to reflect on the research process.

  Read more

  Additional

  Information

  British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation*

  This joint honours programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)* and can be the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

  *Accreditation applicable to Undergraduate Single Honours Psychology degrees and Joint Honours degrees where Psychology is the major subject.

• Careers and Events
  • The Northampton Employment Promise.

    *We promise to secure paid experience for you, if you need it.

    We work with employers to understand what they’re looking for and we’re confident that if you follow one of our structured awards, as well as committing to your studies you’ll be in a competitive position when it comes to applying for graduate jobs.

    We’re so confident, that we promise to secure a paid 3-6 month internship for you, if you need it. Find out more about the Northampton Employment Promise, including how it works and who is eligible.

    
  • Open Days

    See for yourself

    Our Open Days offer you a fantastic opportunity to get a real taste of university life at Northampton and discover how studying here will be a life-changing experience.

    Each Open Day has a packed programme of subjects talks, advice sessions and activities designed to give you all the information you need about studying at The University of Northampton.

    To find out more about the day, please feel free to have a look at our Open Day Guide.

    
  • Careers

    Career Opportunities

    With the combination of Psychology and Law our graduates go on to employment in the Legal profession, education, the health service, the police force, youth offending teams, human resources management, marketing, the civil service, broadcasting, social work and many other professions.

    
• Requirements

  A typical offer would be BCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC.

  If you are a Home or EU student and would like more information on making an application please visit our How to Apply page.

  If you would like more information on how to apply as an International student please visit our How to Apply page.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
    for study at undergraduate level.

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  Contacts

  Course enquiries
  study@northampton.ac.uk

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2020@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Enquire online
  Online enquiry form

  Applying for 2020
  Facebook Applicant Group

  Office hours:
  Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm
  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

  +44 (0)1604 892546

• Course Content
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2
  • Stage 3

  • Law of Contract (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW1001

    Core Module Y
  • Learning the Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW1020

    Core Module Y
  • Introduction to Public Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW1006

    Core Module Y
  • Criminal Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW1008

    Core Module Y
  • Introduction to Psychology (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY1003

    Core Module Y
  • Becoming a Psychologist (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY1006

    Core Module Y
  • Psychology for Life (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY1012

    Core Module Y

  • Law of European Institutions (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2005

    Core Module N
  • Environmental Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2006

    Core Module N
  • Organised Crime (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2007

    Core Module N
  • Public Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2008

    Core Module N
  • Law of Tort (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2009

    Core Module N
  • The Criminal Process (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2010

    Core Module N
  • Child Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2012

    Core Module N
  • Human Rights in the United Kingdom (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2013

    Core Module N
  • Consumer Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2014

    Core Module N
  • Intellectual Property Rights Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2016

    Core Module N
  • Discrimination Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2018

    Core Module N
  • Law in the Community (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2019

    Core Module N
  • Academic and Employability Skills (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2027

    Core Module N
  • Law in Context (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW2028

    Core Module N
  • Practical Placement Preparation (WBL) (20 Credits)
    Module code: HRM2054

    Core Module N
  • Research Methods & Data Analysis in Psychology (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY2005

    Core Module N
  • Independent Practical Work (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY2003

    Core Module N
  • The Human Animal (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY2006

    Core Module N
  • The Psychology of Well Being (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY2007

    Core Module N
  • Cognitive Psychology (10 Credits)
    Module code: PSY2010

    Core Module N
  • Biological Psychology (10 Credits)
    Module code: PSY2011

    Core Module N
  • Development Psychology (10 Credits)
    Module code: PSY2013

    Core Module N
  • Personality Psychology (10 Credits)
    Module code: PSY2014

    Core Module N
  • Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology (10 Credits)
    Module code: PSY2015

    Core Module N
  • Social Psychology (10 Credits)
    Module code: PSY2016

    Core Module N
  • The Psychology of Learning and Teaching in Educational Settings (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY2025

    Core Module N
  • (Optional Placement Year) The Placement Year Experience: Organisations in Context (WBL) (40 Credits)
    Module code: HRM2053

    Core Module Y

  • Law Dissertations (single or joint) (20/40 Credits)
    Module code: LAW4001/LAW4002/LAW4003

    Core Module N
  • Employment Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW3004

    Core Module N
  • Family Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW3007

    Core Module N
  • Medical Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW3013

    Core Module N
  • Sale of Goods and Agency (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW3016

    Core Module N
  • Sentencing & Prisons (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW3017

    Core Module N
  • Land Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW3018

    Core Module N
  • European & International Human Rights Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW3019

    Core Module N
  • Terrorism (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW3021

    Core Module N
  • Legal Advice in the Community (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW3022

    Core Module N
  • Practical Legal Skills (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW3025

    Core Module N
  • Equity and Trusts (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW3026

    Core Module N
  • Psychology Dissertation (single, joint and library based) (20/40 Credits)
    Module code: PSY4001/PSY4002/PSY4003/PSY4004

    Core Module N
  • The Psychology of Mental Health (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY3004

    Core Module N
  • Parapsychology and Anomalous Experiences (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY3007

    Core Module N
  • The Psychology of Health (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY3013

    Core Module N
  • Forensic Psychology (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY3016

    Core Module N
  • Applying Positive Psychology (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY3055

    Core Module N
  • Educational Psychology (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY3023

    Core Module N
  • Understanding the Social World (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY3024

    Core Module N
  • Psychology of Spirituality, Religion and Wellbeing (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY3027

    Core Module N
  • Neuroscience of Mind (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY3054

    Core Module N
  • Lifespan Development (20 Credits)
    Module code: PSY3053

    Core Module N
• Further Studies
  • Postgraduate Opportunities

    Further your study

    Our postgraduate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

    Counselling MSc

    Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) MSc

    Counselling Children and Young People MSc

    International Commercial Law LLM

    International Criminal Law and Security (LLM ICLAS) LLM

    
  • Research

    We are committed to delivering outstanding research that makes a difference to society. Our Research Institutes and Centres work closely with external partner organisations, locally, nationally and internationally. We produce internationally renowned and relevant research and disseminate knowledge on an international scale.

    Visit our Research Hub page for more information.

    
  • Business and Enterprise

    We are committed to supporting and encouraging business growth and we are involved in a variety of initiatives which seek to benefit the wider community as well as students and staff of the University.

    Discover what businesses we work with and what opportunities may be available to you on our Business and Enterprise pages.

    
• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU
  • International

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,450 per 20 credit module

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,400 per 20 credit module

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2019. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £12,900

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £12,500

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2019. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  International scholarships

  For information on the scholarships available to you as an international student, please see our International scholarships page.

  Scholarships

  EU and International Scholarships

  We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

  Sir Thomas White Scholarship

  The Sir Thomas White scholarship will support and acknowledge an academically gifted student, with the proviso that the selection panel is confident that there is…

  TD Lewis Scholarship

  The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

  The Chancellor's Fund

  The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

  Wilson Endowment Scholarship

  The Wilson Endowment Scholarship provides a £1,500 scholarship to undergraduate students from the Northamptonshire area. The endowed scholarship was donated in memory of Mr Lynn Wilson,…

• Joint Honours Study

  This award combination will always be a BA. Please refer to the Academic Regulations for more information on Joint Honours Degree designations.

  If you choose to study a Joint Honours degree at the University of Northampton you can select a programme that suits your interests and strengths. This option opens up a host of possibilities to you, offering a wide range of opportunities for careers and further study at your fingertips. In the Joint Honours programme, you will select two subjects as joint for stage one. You may continue with equal emphasis on two subjects as a joint degree in stages two and three, or switch to a major or minor split. The degree title is derived from the two subjects.

  With a Joint Honours degree you can ensure that your programme has:

  • Breadth: you are not focused on a single specialism, but are able to study across two disciplines
  • Flexibility: you can adjust the balance of your programme depending on the interests and skills you develop during your time with us
  • Embedded skills: you will have all the graduate level skills that employers are looking for
  • Student support: your own personal tutor will work with you as you learn and progress.

  Click here for further information on Joints Honours.

  Read more

*Course data provided by Unistats