My experience as a Psychology with Criminology student

Find out what it's like to study Psychology with Criminology at ARU with this blog post from student Susannah.

Choosing a university course can bring up a lot of questions, especially about the experiences of students. It's therefore beneficial to hear about the university and its courses from a first-hand perspective.

This blog will go through my experience as a Psychology with Criminology student at ARU in Cambridge, including how I’ve found the course, support I’ve received, and balancing my studies with working and socialising.

How I've found the course

This course has provided me with knowledge in a range of interesting topics throughout my time so far at ARU. Some of my favourite modules so far include Diagnosis and Formulation in Mental Health, Criminal Justice in England and Wales, and The Psychology of Everyday Life. I’ve had opportunities to meet and learn from a wide range of professionals.

The lectures and seminars are spread across two to three days a week, which is very useful for me as a travelling student. It’s also very useful to have access to slides at least two days before lectures so I have time to prepare basic notes.

Lectures are also recorded and uploaded later, which means if there’s a reason I cannot make it in, I can easily catch up. Furthermore, one of my favourite things about the seminars is that we go through the assignments, so I can get plenty of support.

I can’t wait to see what my final year has in store for me.

Support I have received

One of the main sources of support I have received from the University through my course is having access to my Personal Development Tutor (PDT). A PDT is a lecturer from your faculty and they are there to guide you throughout your university journey, whether you’re concerned about assignments, wanting some career advice, or need adjustments. My PDT has been so supportive and they have helped to make my university experience easier.

Another major form of support I have received through my course is employability support. Each school within every faculty has their own designated Employability Adviser – for my course, my Employability Adviser is there to support students within the School of Psychology, Sport and Sensory Science.

They have arranged multiple course-related events, career cafes, and have regularly informed us of course-related volunteering and job opportunities. They are also there for individual one-to-one support with career advice.

There are many other support services, some that I have used throughout my time, that are there to support students including:

• Disability and Dyslexia Support
• Money Advice Service
• Counselling and Wellbeing Service
• Study Skills Plus
• Students' Union Advice Service
• iCentre
• Welcome Buddies
• Peer Wellbeing Mentors

Balancing working and socialising with my studies

I have a part-time job outside of university. This is mainly a weekend job, so it leaves my weekdays free to attend lectures and work on my assignments.

To earn some extra money, I also work with ARU Temps – ARU’s job agency – working multiple one-off and longer-term jobs, where I can choose which jobs or events I apply for to easily fit around my studies and other work schedule. ARU Temps is also a living wage employer, so I earn £12 per hour, which has been really helpful as a top-up to my income.

I also try to make some time for socialising by going out with friends and attending society events. I am a member (and currently Treasurer) of the I’m Going Home After This Society, which is a society created for students who commute into campus.

As most University, Student Union, and society events are run in the evenings, they can typically be inaccessible for those who commute. My society is designed with commuting students in mind, by running events online. It's also beginning to introduce local study groups.

In order to balance everything, I generally try to plan at least a week or two ahead of time and set out a schedule. This helps me because I like to have a bit of a routine, but I also like to switch things up quite often.

I hope hearing about my personal experience has been insightful for you. University has been such an important experience for me, and has been such a good way for me to build my knowledge and develop myself as a person. However, no matter what you decide, good luck!

Susannah studies Psychology with Criminology at ARU in Cambridge. You can find out more about this, and other courses we offer, at an Open Day.