Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Media and Creative Writing (with Sandwich Year)

at University of Hertfordshire - De Havilland Campus United Kingdom

Perhaps you're interested in Criminal Justice and Criminology, but haven't found the course which feels right for you? Our Criminology and Criminal Justice programme offers cutting-edge modules such as Terrorism and Criminology, Policing and Society, Gender and Crime, War Crimes, Drugs, Crime and Criminology and Imprisonment and Justice, allowing you to explore a range of the most pressing social issues of today.

Throughout the degree, you will begin to understand that Criminology is the study of the anatomy of a crime, specifically its causes, consequences and costs. Criminal justice, on the other hand, refers to established systems for dealing with crime, specifically detection of crime, detaining of criminals, and criminal prosecution and punishment.

If you wish to pursue career opportunities in criminal justice, you will study the different components of criminal justice, and if you're interested in pursuing a career as a criminologist, you will study the behaviour patterns, backgrounds, and sociological trends of criminals.While both fields are different, criminologists and criminal justice professionals work together in the criminal justice system to thwart crime.

On the course, you will:

• Investigate the nature of crime and criminality and develop an understanding of the various issues, debates, and approaches within the criminal justice system and criminology 
• Engage with a range of current issues and debates on some of the most pressing social issues, such as national security, drug policy and the sex trade
• Examine how and why offenders should be punished and explore how society defines and manages crime
• Be taught research-informed course content so that they develop the skills to carry out their own criminological research, together with a range of other transferable skills
• Engage with important Criminal Justice contacts – we have close professional relationships with the Hertfordshire Constabulary, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Herts Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (HACRO) and Answers Investigation
• Be taught by internationally-recognised experts in criminology and draw on their expertise in Criminal Justice Process, Criminology, and Academic skills in Criminology
• Learn the concepts, theories and methods they need to understand the realities of crime and control and the practical skills that will allow them to participate in the criminal justice process

At Hertfordshire Law School, we recognise that while you are studying with us, you will want to develop professionally and increase your confidence. That's why we offer a range of co-curricular activities, including; Debating, Forensic Psychology, and Restorative Justice to help you improve the skills needed for a great career in Criminal Justice and Criminology.

We want to give you the best possible start to your career! We offer a broad range of careers events throughout the year, including speed careers networking, and guest speakers from a wide range of employers. It's no wonder 93.8% of Hertfordshire Law School graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.*

Our Criminology degree is also significantly enhanced by expert research-informed and practitioner-led teaching to ensure you are academically supported. You'll also be part of a community which offers significant pastoral and careers support along the way, thanks to our dedicated student support tutors, cohort tutors and programme leaders, student mentors and careers tutors.

What is it for sounds, gestures and marks on paper to have meaning? What are the various uses to which we can put language, and how does it manage to have the effects it has? How do we learn language? And how does the language we use reflect society, the nature of our thoughts, and what we take reality to be like?

Our BA Philosophy and English Language degree allows you to examine the nature of language, through two distinct approaches. You’ll develop a range of skills in analysing the structure of the English language and how it is used in a variety of situations, while exploring and challenging the assumptions about the nature of language, its limits and how it functions.

In your first year, alongside core linguistics modules, you’ll learn to think critically by examining how language may be used – and misused – in reasoning and persuasion. You’ll also study social and political philosophy, covering topics such as freedom of speech, and examine the nature of mind and reality.

All our philosophy lecturers are active researchers, so you’ll share the excitement of doing original work in a supportive and highly-rated academic community. Our Philosophy team is in the top 15 in the Guardian League Table 2019 and rates as one of the 100 best Philosophy departments worldwide in the 2017 QS rankings.

Our English language lecturers are research-active academics working in cutting-edge areas such as language and gender, formulaic language, corpus studies, bilingualism, bilingual processing and codeswitching.

Core modules in your second year focus on English grammar and the sounds of English. You can explore theories of how and why language developed and study language-related real-life problems such as plagiarism and crime investigation in forensic linguistics. In Philosophy, you may explore a wide variety of topics, including the option to learn some languages of logic.

One final-year option is corpus studies in English language, which will develop your research skills through your use of Sketch Engine, a text analysis tool that allows you to search vast samples of language, or corpora. In Philosophy, there is the option to study more advanced contemporary themes and theories in the philosophy of language, and also to take a module which focuses in particular on Ludwig Wittgenstein’s influential work on the nature of language.

• A flexible programme of study, allowing you to concentrate on areas you find especially interesting
• An exceptional academic team, conducting internationally renowned research
• Stimulating, innovative courses that allow you to make rewarding connections between two disciplines
• CV-building potential through extra-curricular activities

Now that scientists can read and change DNA sequences, a new era has arrived in which it’s possible to investigate organisms at their most fundamental level. That means we have the opportunity to find pioneering ways to prevent or find cures for genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and cancer. It could even help us discover more about our origins and who we really are. This course will give you the specialist theoretical knowledge and practical experience of gene manipulation and the analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. It will also show you how this can be applied to the study of health, disease and the natural environment. This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

• Molecular Biology involves the study of biology at the molecular level, providing an insight into the building blocks of life itself.
• DNA carries the hereditary information that determines the structures of proteins. It contains through which cells are instructed to grow and divide, to differentiate into specialized cells thereby generating the millions of different life forms that exist.
• The university has excellent research facilities for molecular biology enabling students to experience key techniques for example, PCR and bioinformatics.

This course covers the three main disciplines of sport science: physiology (including nutrition), biomechanics and psychology. You’ll gain a fundamental understanding of physiology, anatomy, psychology, biomechanics, sports performance, biochemistry, nutrition, and strength and conditioning – and then apply your knowledge through practical classes and research. During your studies you’ll have many opportunities to use our state of-the art human performance labs, where you’ll learn to assess and improve sporting performance, as well as gain invaluable knowledge on the role exercise plays in improving health and wellbeing.

You’ll also develop the analytical, written and verbal skills expected by employers. The course is also aligned to  a vocational qualification accredited through the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) with the option after year one of becoming a qualified fitness instructor. Furthermore, this course is a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recognised undergraduate programme, allowing students to complete the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist qualification near graduation.

Our excellent facilities ensure we can deliver a comprehensive programme of practical work to support lecture material. A focus on Personal Transferable Skills throughout the first and second year enables you to develop competence in a range of skill areas which will be of benefit professionally and personally and which are essential to success in a competitive employment market.

Other additional opportunities include

• Guest lecturers: e.g. GSK, HSV, Felicity Aston (first woman to walk the Antarctic solo)
• Work Experience: including local, national and international employers taking students for their work experience module in final year (e.g. football, rugby clubs, hospitals, other universities)
• Opportunities for students to support applied testing and research in the labs
• Opportunities to gain internationally recognised qualifications:
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA)
• ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist

With a reputation for academic excellence, practical value and intellectual rigour, our BPS-accredited psychology degree is one of the most respected courses of its kind in the UK. This fascinating degree gives you a grounding in all major areas of psychology and our graduates are thoroughly prepared for employment, postgraduate research and professional training. Our Psychology department is one of the largest of any British university, offering a stimulating environment with high-profile, research-active staff and exceptionally well-equipped labs and computer facilities. In addition to covering core psychology topics, there are a number of specialist modules including individual differences, cyberpsychology, non-verbal behaviour, and forensic and clinical psychology.

Explore the full range of modern mathematics as you gain fundamental knowledge and advanced mathematical and statistical skills. Mathematics holds the key to advances in virtually all areas of our lives, from finance to computing, logistics to medicine and travel to weather forecasting. If you’re looking for a career that involves shaping technological or scientific progress, mathematics is an ideal degree for you. What’s more, our flexible course allows you to specialise in whichever area of mathematics interests you most. You will find our friendly and personalised approach in the small group tutorial besides your day to day lectures. We have particular teaching expertise in various areas of numerical modelling, financial mathematics, algebra, statistics, optimisation and mathematical physics. You can even choose to take a year out to study abroad or undertake a placement.

Our Mathematics degree is a highly flexible course that allows you to specialise in whichever area of Mathematics interests you the most.

• All students study a common first year of the Mathematics degree, but in Years 2 and 3 there is a range of different options available for you to specialise in applied mathematics, financial mathematics, or pure mathematics.
• We take pride in our student-focused approach to teaching Mathematics. Our School is well regarded for its friendly and professional environment, which allows us to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to be a successful mathematician. We will support you throughout your degree so that you can achieve your full potential.
• Take a look at the latest exciting research we have been undertaking in the Maths department which underpins and informs your studies. 
• You can always access additional support throughout your course with regular drop-ins at the University’s own Maths Support Service located in the Library and accessing specialised career support from the Career and Employment department.

This course has been developed in accordance with industry guidelines to give you a professionally grounded, challenging and creative education, focusing on architecture, principles of urbanism, landscape and building construction. You’ll work within a professional, studio-based architectural environment on a variety of industry projects, including houses, shops, museums, public buildings, squares, cities and civic centres.You’ll also visit and analyse places and engage with the social, political and economic factors that influence architecture and society. By working individually and in multidisciplinary teams, you’ll gain an understanding of cultural and urban conditions, learn how to improve the built environment and develop a sharp commercial awareness of the architecture industry.

The BA (Hons) Architecture award will provide graduates with a professional network to facilitate early career development after graduation.

The School of Creative Arts prides itself on providing our students with a strong technical and professional design education, and we place significant value on the preparation of our students for the world of work.  

The Architecture programme has a range of world-class industry partners who engage with us in teaching and learning and in providing current and future thinking on contemporary practice.

We place our students in a unique position to understand, explore, and intervene in the changing landscape as it evolves from the ideal social settlement of the Garden Cities of the early twentieth century to the post-war New Towns and future cities.

This course combines two highly respected subjects to give you a powerful business degree with real career potential. You’ll learn from Hertfordshire Business School’s highly experienced, research-active academic team. You’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the role finance and economics plays in the health of an economy, as well as have the opportunity to become part of a new generation of international financial experts.

As well as deepening your knowledge of these important areas, your lecturers here at Hertfordshire will be firmly focused on your employability, giving you the advanced skills that employers today demand.

• Understand the role economics and finance play in analysing current problems.
• Develop a firm understanding of key business functions, the industrial structure of market economies and the global environment.
• Learn how to analyse data from a financial point of view.
• Enhance your experience through a 12-month work placement or study abroad year.

With an increased scrutiny on eating and obesity, along with demand from both government and the public for nutritional and dietetic education, the role of dietitians has never been more important. Dietetics is the interpretation and communication of the science of nutrition, which enables people to make informed choices about food and lifestyle. Dietitians work with individuals with special dietary needs, inform the general public about nutrition, evaluate and improve treatments, and educate patients, doctors, nurses and other health professionals. This course covers the broad range of sciences that informs dietetics and is the first of its kind in the UK to award academic credit for practice placements.

• The first UK university to award academic credit for dietetic practice placements.
• Opportunities for practice placements in the NHS (acute and community) and, from 2019, in non-NHS settings.
• Offers undergraduate route to qualify as a dietitian in 3 years rather than 4 years.
• We welcome graduates who are changing direction and want to qualify as a dietitian.
• New science labs and dedicated diet laboratory
• Active student-led Nutrition and Dietetics Society (NADS).
• Encouragement to participate in extracurricular volunteering.
• Excellent record of graduates presenting at British Dietetic Association Research Symposia.
• Active research community

Our Politics and History programme gives you the opportunity to study current challenges in national and international politics while gaining an understanding of the wider historical context of our modern world. 

The course brings together the two naturally close disciplines of Politics and History through a focus on political history. Studying history and politics in tandem will develop your ability to understand how people lived and thought in the past, and the ways in which they act politically in the present.

You’ll study with a top history department – we’re ranked first in the country for the social and cultural impact of our research - and be taught by political historians working at the cutting edge of their research disciplines.

Alongside core politics modules in your first year introducing you to contemporary British politics and international relations theory, you’ll study history modules that will give you an insight into the making of the modern world, such as campaigns for freedom and equality and America from Hamilton to Trump. 

Modules devised for this joint degree such as Political History: Milestones, Change and Continuity provide a bridge between history and politics. In your second year you’ll continue this interdisciplinary approach with a module on Nation and Identity, which examines the growth of new states and the political landscape of interwar Europe.

Just as an historical approach brings breadth and depth to your study of politics, the theories of political science you’ll study in our core politics modules will give you the analytical tools to explore the implications of major historical events, alongside their socio, economic and political impacts. 

In your final year, you demonstrate your research skills by producing a dissertation on a topic of your choosing. Previous students have been inspired by their year of study abroad, while others have worked on women code breakers at Bletchley Park, the Notting Hill riots, and vice and sexuality in 17th -century London. You’ll also have the option to follow an oral history project, or study modules ranging from the challenges and opportunities of Brexit, to terrorism and security, to the politics of gender.