Bridgwater and Taunton College

FdSc Public Services and Criminology

UCAS course code L437
Institution code B70
Duration

2 years
Course type

Full-time, Part-time route available
Study location Bridgwater and Taunton College
Apply at UCAS.com
University Centre Somerset is the Higher Education offer for Bridgwater & Taunton College, a highly successful provider of education and training. We have campuses in three locations across Somerset; Taunton, Bridgwater and Cannington. Courses are delivered by talented tutors with professional experience and strong research and teaching skills. The College has Learning and Skills Beacon status, has received 13 National Beacon Awards in recent years, and was awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Education in 2023. In the same year, its higher education provision achieved TEF Silver for very high quality and outstanding features in relation to student experience and outcomes.
University Centre Somerset specialises in vocational qualifications, grounded in the real world. It prides itself on forging strong links with employers and delivering programmes that equip you with skills you can use in the workplace, that’s why our motto is Degrees for Real Life.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    BRID1132
    Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

    The aim of this module is to study the entity that is the criminal justice system. This starts with looking at society and the interaction that different parts of society contribute to the system. It will introduce the concept of policing and justice by consent and the relationships between the core elements of the justice system.

    BRID1133
    Public Services and Society

    Within this module learners will develop an understanding of the theoretical concept of human need, how this concept translates into social welfare policy and the implications for the implementation of this provision.

    BRID1134
    Crime in Context

    The aim of this module is to give students the opportunity to examine human behaviour in relation to crime, to examine why people commit crime and to explore the needs of the victim in comparison to the strategies, theories and policies available. Different criminology theories will be reviewed in relation to placing crimes within a wider context.

    BRID1135
    The Mind of a Criminal

    This module will look into behaviour theories, social diversity and divisions, learning differences, technology and the impact these issues have on crime. This module will allow for a case study regarding historical crimes. The module will also examine the different policing processes used.

    BRID1136
    Government and the Public Services

    An introduction to the political structure within the UK and the relationship between this structure and the public services as well as society in general. The module will examine the relationship between Government and the population, in relation to provision and management of the public services.

    BRID1137
    Personal Development

    This module highlights the importance of continued personal development and provides students with the research tools and skills in order to carry out structured reflection of their own work based learning practice.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    BRID2228
    Theory, Culture, Crime and the Public Services

    This module aims to look at the theory that informs culture, crime and the public services looking at relevant theory that reflects how the approach to these topics changes. It also aims to reflect on the methods and use of data collection in relation to society. The module will consider the nature of public service and associated factors.

    BRID2229
    Ethics in the Balance

    The module will review the concept of society, the values of morals and ethics within a society and how it informs and defines justice. It will explore the ethical issues across the public services and how the different theories of ethics are viewed and implemented.

    BRID2230
    Understanding Leadership

    The module develops the understanding of established leadership theory in the public services, contemporary leadership challenges, the role of leadership principles and practice in a public services context; and the ability to apply individual and critical thinking.

    BRID2231
    Organisational Performance and Change

    This module will review organisational structures and cultures and the factors affecting these. The module will also provide the opportunity to research and evaluate the performance of organisations and the impact of these changes. The module will look at public services and the application of relevant theory related to performance and change. emergency services.

    BRID2232
    Research Skills in the Public Services

    This module provides the opportunity to develop skills needed for a research project, it will include data collection, data analysis and interpretation. Students will collect data and conduct analysis using correct technology of this data and present it in an appropriate manner.

    BRID2233
    Victims, Victimology & Restorative Justice

    The aim of this module is for students to gain knowledge of the impact crime has on victims from a social and psychological perspective. The module will also investigate the methods of supporting victims of crime and how restorative justice can be used.

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.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

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 Bridgwater and Taunton 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. 

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.

Studying with Bridgwater and Taunton College

An award-winning Beacon College. 13 Beacon awards. Four Centres of Vocational Excellence Awards. Our achievements speak for themselves – which is why every year 700 students from over 35 countries choose Bridgwater and Taunton College to pursue their education.
Plymouth students working on a group project