3.5-Term Pathway - Foundation Certificate in Social Sciences - Continue to Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Criminology with Counselling Skills (Year Abroad)

Program Description For students who've finished high school but don’t meet the entry requirements for university, a Foundation Certificate can help them gain entry to an undergraduate degree. After completing this pathway option students qualify for progression to the 1st year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Essex.

A student’s course length is determined mainly by their English language level (UKVI IELTS score). Students on all course lengths take a set of common or similar modules to gain a solid base of skills for university. Students taking a course longer than 2 terms, will take additional modules designed to improve one or more of their English language level, academic skills, and basic knowledge of particular subjects.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Criminology with Counseling Skills

Taught in partnership with the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, this course explores crime and society, alongside counselling which examines the nature of emotional difficulties and human relationships. Students learn to be more effective in their interpersonal functioning and to offer a mature, empathetic and sensitive presence to employers and those that they work with.

They study an exciting range of topics including:

• Criminal justice systems • Crime and media • Mental health and treatment • Skills for counselling • The counselling relationship

They receive training in sociological research methods including how to design a survey, conduct interviews and focus groups. Through modules delivered by the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies they are introduced to key concepts of psychodynamic thinking which is relevant for counselling. Students gain insight into the unconscious dynamics in individuals and groups and develop listening and observation, self-reflectiveness and communication skills. They are taught by criminologists and sociologists in the Department of Sociology, ranked top 25 for Sociology (TGUG 2018). The counselling experts in the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies offer a clinical and academic approach and are acclaimed professors, clinicians and practitioners who can offer relevant, practical experience. Students have the opportunity to gain practical experience and to pursue a year studying abroad or completing a work placement which can help in future employment. Students can also complete a supervised dissertation on a topic that inspires them, encouraging them to think differently and connect with live issues and debates, preparing them for their graduate career.