Bachelor of Arts(Hons) in Psychology and Criminal Behaviour (Top up)

at University of Bedfordshire - Luton Campus United Kingdom

Criminal offending and the state’s response to it are constantly evolving, and this course explores the latest ideas, thinking and research into the subject. Benefiting from the practice and practical knowledge of highly experienced tutors and lecturers, you will reflect critically on the latest theories and the many explanations used to explain why crime occurs.

The department’s expertise is deep and wide ranging, and covers youth crime and justice, substance abuse, gang related crime, corporate crime and forensic mental health.

You will be taught by leading researchers from the Institute of Applied Social Research, whose studies on sexual exploitation, trafficking, and disability is internationally renowned and at the interface between research, knowledge, policy and practice.

Why choose this course?

• Study the social, political and cultural contexts that inform criminology, and develop a critical in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject
•  Explore and research a particular topic of interest, and as you do this sharpen your independent study skills and become highly specialised in a particular area
•  Develop the ability to apply originality in the application of knowledge that addresses problems relating to criminal justice, crime and offending
•  Gain a wide range of new skills and qualities that are relevant to the workplace and will give you the opportunity to seek employment at a senior level
•  Benefit from the ability to take part in critical discussions, systematic reviews and the analysis of complex, unfamiliar or unpredictable criminological problems, and work to produce an understanding that is informed by current scholarship.

Criminology at the University of Bedfordshire is taught by subject experts who are all members of the Vauxhall Centre for the Study of Crime under the direction of Professor John Pitts - a key member of the Home Office gang strategy’s expert advisory group. This dynamic programme considers developments in the academic study and research evidence of criminology in the context of an increasingly globalised world.

You will have the opportunity to critically reflect on theory while drawing on a depth of practical knowledge, theory and professional expertise from the teaching team. In addition, the team have an interest in the personal development of Masters students through a system of seminars and personal tutorials. This allows both staff and students to get to know each other well and fosters a shared commitment to the subject.

Pursue your dream of performing in TV, film, radio, on stage or online with this degree covering the creative and technical aspects of radio programme making, directing, script development, performance management, and lighting for the stage and for the camera.

On this wide-ranging course, you gain the skills to work within the professional media industries as an actor or presenter before the camera. Optional units also widen your skill base to include production/technical roles like scriptwriter, director, production manager, stage manager or radio presenter.

Graduates of this course are now working in front of the camera, presenting on CBBC, CBeebies, community channel local news, internet sports radio and news programmes. Other Media Performance graduates are working behind the camera as directors, in production roles or working within radio, at Radio 1, Radio 1 Xtra, Kiss and BBC local radio.

Why choose this course?

• Develop the necessary skills, knowledge, self-motivation and professional approach to follow a satisfying and stimulating career path
• Study a variety of approaches and techniques, with your practical work underpinned by media and cultural theory, along with the historical, cultural and social dimensions of performance
• Enjoy masterclasses and workshops from leading figures with opportunities to learn insights, make industry connections and take up placements
• Gain opportunities for work experience via the course unit in Performance Management - Work Based Learning.
• Take the course over four years and include a year’s placement in industry (see below), gaining experience and adding to your contacts
• In your third year, you are eligible to join Spotlight as a TV presenter
• As a postgraduate, you can progress to the Screen Performance and Communications Techniques MA

Success in the media industry means creating powerful products that communicate with their target audiences through a constantly evolving range of media platforms. This course gives you the skills and insider knowledge needed to make that success happen.

Producing media content is an exciting, up-to-the-minute form of social communication, strongly influenced by cultural, economic and political factors. To create innovative, effective communications across a range of platforms, you must be able to combine media theory with practical production skills.

This broad-based course focuses on the production process while giving you the theoretical grounding you need. So you study practical units such as digital design, making sound and images, film-making and experimental production, combined with units ensuring your understanding of media theory and research, digital cultures and future digital production.

Why choose this course?

• Access to a wide range of professional production equipment including broadcast-standard TV and radio studios, green screen and 360 production
• Study with industry-experienced, research-active tutors
• Explore the latest world-class research through the Research Institute for Media, Art and Performance (RIMAP)
• Participate in and contribute to student festivals and competitions, building your experience and your portfolio
• Develop portable skills in communications and team-working, increasing your employability
• Benefit from a course that opens up careers in television production, digital media production, journalism, teaching, advertising, media and PR
• Take the course over four years and benefit from a year’s placement in industry (see below), gaining experience and making contacts for the future.
• If you need to step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees entry to the undergraduate course

Marketing graduates, with understanding of the dynamics of modern business marketing, are highly employable, and this professionally-accredited degree will ensure you are up-to-date with developments in communications, digital and social media as well as essential business functions like finance, HRM and operations.

Marketing embraces psychology, consumer behaviour, management, innovation, sociology and popular culture and is central to life in the 21st century.

After studying buyer behaviour, marketing data analysis, branding, competition, and media and communications, you will combine it all in practical assignments.

Why choose this course?

• Learn from staff with extensive industry experience as you engage with real marketing projects
• Study the latest marketing developments ensuring you graduate with up-to-date knowledge
• Develop your career opportunities with an optional placement and links to industry practitioners
• Gain knowledge of marketing and communications areas including management, marketing in contemporary contexts, marketing data and international business
• Explore a range of potential career options including sales, brand management, business development, market research, communications and customer liaison
• Benefit from studying a degree accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), with an optional placement (sandwich) year.

In each year of study, you will be involved in  practical marketing projects from real companies and you will interact with professional practitioners, allowing you to engage with theory and practice and encourage you to make links between your studies and workplace practice.

This provides you with an understanding of modern business marketing and will ensure that you are up-to-date with developments in communications, digital and social media, as well as business functions like finance, HRM and operations.

Our professionally-accredited course will provide you with the opportunity to take the Introductory Certificate in Marketing qualification awarded by the renowned Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), with further exemption opportunities for the CIM Professional Certificate and CIM Professional Diploma.

After graduation, this could provide a great way to start your marketing career and save you time and money towards your professional marketing qualification

This course gives you an advanced understanding of molecular biology, computational biology and microbiology alongside teaching you valuable IT skills in data analytics that you can apply to solving real-world problems.

Modern biotechnology is a hugely complex subject, drawing from a range of scientific fields. On this course, you learn the latest new technologies in key areas; gain insights into how they are used in the global biotechnology industry; and discover how microbes can be used on an industrial scale to benefit humankind.

You also hone your research skills with a laboratory-based project in one of five taught areas: molecular biology; computational biology; applied microbiology; analytical biology; and biomaterials.

The data analytics units are designed for non-computing graduates looking to apply IT in their work. They cover a wide range of topics including programming; databases; security; project management; and computer networking.

Why choose this course?

• Study the latest developments in applied microbiology and computational biology in high-quality, broad-based classes taught by dedicated staff with research experience in specialist subject areas
• Explore the latest technologies in molecular biology and the industrial processes that are used to exploit microbes for specific products and applications
• Develop the ability to use information from relevant sources, and independently and critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship
• Through the data analytics element of the course, be able to apply IT tools and techniques to theoretical and methodological approaches, developing solutions to complex real-world problems
• Gain the ability to use assured, accurate and fluent language to present your work, and learn to develop graphs and images that clearly illustrate complex points
• Benefit from a wide knowledge base and the key transferable skills that will give you the opportunity to take your career to new heights in the biotechnology and allied industries

Biochemistry has revolutionised our understanding of biological systems, from microbes to humans, and led to ground-breaking biotechnology applications. Our degree equips you with the specialist knowledge and skills you need for a career in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries, as well as other related sectors.

Offering a strong foundation in modern biochemistry, this course allows you to explore core subjects such as genetics, cell biology and molecular biology along with specialised fields including bioinformatics and molecular modelling; drug design and development; biotechnology; and genetic engineering.

You gain specialist knowledge in areas such as structure-function relationships; signalling and regulatory systems; and metabolic pathways as well as building the practical laboratory skills to work at the forefront of this exciting and developing field.

Why choose this course?

• Learn the techniques and practical laboratory skills essential for working in the field of biochemistry
• Benefit from our new science facilities and STEM building, which offer a modern working environment including high-spec laboratories
• Study with research-active experts in their field, many having previously worked at leading institutions such as Cambridge University, Imperial College London and King’s College London
• Develop transferable skills highly sought after by employers, such as independent thinking; planning and problem solving; analysis; and communication skills
• As a graduate, seek wider career opportunities in hospitals, government departments, academic organisations and the publishing industry. Or move on to further study at postgraduate level
• Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry (see below), gaining experience, adding to your CV and making contacts for the future
• If you need to step up into higher education (see below), start with a Foundation Year which guarantees your place on the full degree course

If you’re looking to explore your creativity, establish your own unique style and take contemporary fashion design by storm, our course has the dedicated facilities and equipment, track record and industry links to get your designs on the domestic and international catwalks.

Both our course and highly experienced academic team encourage you to experiment with designs, materials and garment-making while giving you the practical tools and wider experience you need to develop your individual creative approach.

Based at Alexon House, previously home to one of the UK's leading fashion houses, the course offers industry-standard manufacturing facilities and the latest textile processes with access to high-spec technology including digital textile printing and pattern cutting; computer-aided design; and 3D printing.

As part of our industry speaker series, you meet designers, artist, editors, curators and recruiters on a weekly basis while also getting the opportunity to join international trips to visit trade fairs and galleries.

You graduate ready for industry with a professional portfolio, following in the footsteps of previous graduates, who have gone on to work with Alexander McQueen, Mary Katranzou, Lulu Liu, Sopie Webster, Amanda Wakeley, Zandra Rhodes, Love Magazine and Denza International. Some of our graduates have started their own label, such as Aaugust, who won Young Designer of the Year at Africa Fashion Week London.

Why choose this course?

• You learn the specialised design and craft skills you need to make your mark in the domestic and international fashion industry
• You study in a dedicated, stimulating and lively studio environment with a sewing machine for every student
• Our close links with the industry and leading fashion designers mean you work on real briefs and live projects; you’re also encouraged to enter competitions and awards
• Your personal creative development is underpinned by a sound knowledge the history of fashion design; contemporary debates in fashion; multicultural and international contexts; and understanding of the wider visual world
• At Alexon House, you are part of a community spanning the art, design and creative industries, and can explore related disciplines such as digital photography, screen-printing and illustration
• You can challenge established designers when you prepare a garment collection and showcase your work on the runway at our Graduate Fashion Show
• There’s the option to take the course over four years and benefit from a fee-free work placement (see below) which will widen your experience, add to your CV and offer the opportunity to make useful contacts for the future
• If you have completed an appropriate foundation degree or HND, you can join this course at stage three

This 2 year Master’s courses will give you the opportunity to be awarded a subject specific degree in Electronic Engineering with Project Management. The course, designed with industry experts, is ideal for those aiming to enter a range of specialist careers in digital electronics or communications.

You will gain advanced theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in digital communications, signal processing, electronic circuits and microprocessors, as well as an understanding of engineering best practice and how to apply it to real-life scenarios.

This course is ideal for graduates with a background in electronics and those looking to work in areas relating to digital electronics or communications.

If you’re an ambitious manager working in the private, public or voluntary sectors, and want to develop your skills and engage in stimulating debate with your peers, then this course is for you.

This course will enhance your understanding of contemporary leadership theory and develop your ability to reflect on your managerial experiences enabling you to transfer learning into practice.

There are six entry points through the year. This allows you to start when it is most suitable.

Why choose this course?

• Gain a solid foundation in the key skills and effective leadership and management.
• Study contemporary approaches to management including aspects of accounting and finance, strategic management, operations and project management and marketing and digital futures.
• Build upon your existing management abilities to strengthen your skills and personal performance on a course that inspires teamwork and engagement to contribute to ethical and innovative practice.
• Benefit from our employability practice-based approach with real business that will enable you to critically evaluate and improve your own management skills to succeed in the global marketplace.

As one of the most established TV production degree courses in the UK, we have close links with the TV industry and an amazing track record in placing our graduates, many of whom now work on top shows and films.

This is a highly practical course providing a solid grounding in all aspects of TV production whether you are hands-on in our multi-camera TV studio or on location using a variety of camera, sound and lighting equipment. You develop an impressive set of skills covering cinematography, audio and visual effects, editing, sound design, lighting, scriptwriting, directing, producing, music videos, live magazine programmes and television drama.

We focus on your employability: it is our job to help you break into TV. So we create opportunities for you to develop industry links, often via networking events on campus or at external industry events such as BAFTA. We also help you find paid work or internships in TV and film during your time with us.

In the last few years, we have helped our graduates find placements and paid work on such programmes as The Graham Norton Show; The X Factor; Gogglebox; The Apprentice; The Only Way is Essex; and Dr Who, to name but a few.

Why choose this course?

• Taught by lecturers who have been working at the highest level in the television industry
• Benefit from masterclasses with professional TV performers and presenters
• Access high-end production technology including cameras, lighting, sound recorders, rigs, edit suites, OB kit and multi-camera TV studio
• Produce and broadcast your own programmes via our in-house, student-run TV station, BedsTV, officially affiliated with the National Student Television Association (NASTA). You could also take up a three-month leadership internship at BedsTV after your studies
• Take the course over four years and benefit from a fee-free year’s placement in industry (see below), where you gain experience and build contacts for the future