Course Summary

This two-year course provides the knowledge base for applicants wishing to pursue or advance their career in the criminal justice agencies, security and offender management.  The programme is approved through, and forms part of, the University of Derby’s extensive and highly regarded Faculty of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences.

The two-year Foundation Degree initially reviews perceptions and approaches to criminal justice within the wider context of society, before focussing on criminology and contemporary issues.

In Year 2, topics broaden and build on the initial knowledge gained around offender management, research projects and criminology while also strengthening learning through the application of criminal procedures and examining the contemporary role of policing in society.

The programme is delivered by experienced Higher Education lecturers who have had careers within the Uniformed Public Services such as the Police, Prison Service and Army and who can relate security and offender management to a diverse range of scenarios.

Although you may only be in classes for two days per week, there is an expectation that you will spend the equivalent of a further three days in independent study and undertake a period of mandatory work placement to support your studies.

This may involve you being invited in on non-timetabled days or weekends to fulfil some elements of the course. Please note that classes will take place over traditional half-term holidays that fall within the identified semester weeks.

The programme will run with a minimum of eight students. In 2020-21 we enrolled 15 students on this programme. 

This course forms part of the three-year Offender Management degree course at Derby College Group and is delivered at our Broomfield Hall Campus. 

This course is regulated by the OfS and the qualification is awarded by the University of Derby.

All students have access to the UDO online platform, the Derby College Learning Resources Centre, the University of Derby library, and the College’s Moodle pages. 

Entry requirements

All applicants will be invited to complete a phone interview or site visit at which interviews will take place to discuss their qualifications, experience and any other related issues.

You should have one of the following:

• 64 UCAS points with at least 32 preferably coming from a related subject (e.g. Public Services, Law, Sociology)
• Access to HE qualifications

You will also need:

• GCSE English at grades 9-4 (A*- C)
• An appropriate competency in maths for higher level study
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

We also welcome applicants who lack institutional qualifications. All such applicants will be interviewed and may be set an appropriate piece of work upon which a judgement will be made, taking into account their academic potential and relevant experience.

All applicants are subject to approval from the University of Derby. 

You will need to be aged 18 or over at the beginning of the course.

Course Content

Modules are:

Year 1:

• Applied Victimology
• Youth, Crime and Justice
• Criminological Theory
• Introduction to Criminology 
• Applied Research in Criminology 
• Professional Practice

Year 2:

• Social Research Methods
• Penology, Punishment and Rehabilitation
• Offender Management 
• Substance Misuse and Offender Management
• Crime and Procedure
• Policing and Society

You will be expected to undertake a relevant work placement for a minimum of 72 hours each academic year.

View Programme Specification

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed using a variety of methods which may include practical and theory exams, reports and assignments, presentations and practical work. The assessment methods are designed to review your understanding and knowledge relevant to the sector.

Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?

It is advisable that you have access to your own laptop for research and assignment writing. In order to access work placement opportunities, students may need a DBS check, the cost of which will be included as part of your course fees.

Additional trips and visits are usually provided as part of your study programme. However, there may be social or team building opportunities which would incur additional costs of around £15-20. In previous years students have paid around £200 for a two-night visit to London.

What can I do after this course?

The Foundation Degree provides the perfect progression platform for further study on the BA (Hons) Security and Offender Management at Derby College Group. Opportunities to study other 'top-up' degrees at the University of Derby are also available, subject to approval.

You may also wish to progress to employment within the security industry, custodial care, probation service, reservist forces, police specials, the criminal justice sector or charitable organisations. 

This qualification is awarded by the University of Derby.

www.derby.ac.uk

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