The Student Room Group

Future learn course on personal statement

I'm looking to apply for a criminology degree and I did an uplearn course called investigating a murder with forensic psychology. Can I put this on my personal statement? Does it count as a proper course because it not a specific subject but rather an investigation? Also do I say what in have gained/learned from this course on my personal statement or should I not evaluate it that deeply and talk bout different things instead. Thank you!

Reply 1

You can absolutely include it if it is relevant to criminology or has taught you skills which you think will make you successful in your degree. Talk about what stood out to you, what you enjoyed and what it made you think about more carefully/research further

Reply 2

Its not a 'qualification' so don't include it on that section - but you can certainly use it as an example of 'going beyond the A level syllabus' and comment on any topics within the Mooc that you found particularly interesting / intriguing.

Just be aware that a degree in Criminology does not make you a Criminologist - that is a specialism within Psychology. You may be aware of this, but its a common misconception.
What can I do with a criminology degree? | Prospects.ac.uk

Reply 3

Original post
by McGinger
Its not a 'qualification' so don't include it on that section - but you can certainly use it as an example of 'going beyond the A level syllabus' and comment on any topics within the Mooc that you found particularly interesting / intriguing.
Just be aware that a degree in Criminology does not make you a Criminologist - that is a specialism within Psychology. You may be aware of this, but its a common misconception.
What can I do with a criminology degree? | Prospects.ac.uk

May i ask, if the op was able to link the content of the course to something they learnt in a class like psychology for example would it be appropriate to mention in Q2. Eg: i was interested in this topic in psychology and so furthered by knowledge by doing this online course. Sorry to ask but im writing my ps atm and wondered this too 🙂

Reply 4

Original post
by DerDracologe
May i ask, if the op was able to link the content of the course to something they learnt in a class like psychology for example would it be appropriate to mention in Q2. Eg: i was interested in this topic in psychology and so furthered by knowledge by doing this online course. Sorry to ask but im writing my ps atm and wondered this too 🙂

Yes - showing that you picked up on something in a mooc/reading/whatever and then went and did 'more finding out' is a positive - it shows intellectual curiosity.

Reply 5

Original post
by McGinger
Yes - showing that you picked up on something in a mooc/reading/whatever and then went and did 'more finding out' is a positive - it shows intellectual curiosity.

PRSOM thanks

Reply 6

Original post
by music_obsessed
I'm looking to apply for a criminology degree and I did an uplearn course called investigating a murder with forensic psychology. Can I put this on my personal statement? Does it count as a proper course because it not a specific subject but rather an investigation? Also do I say what in have gained/learned from this course on my personal statement or should I not evaluate it that deeply and talk bout different things instead. Thank you!
That sounds like a really interesting course and yes, you can definitely include it in your personal statement. Super curricular activities like your "investigating a Murder with Forensic Psychology" course show genuine curiosity about criminology beyond your school subjects, which is exactly what would help you PS. Even though it's not a formal qualification, it still demonstrates that you've taken initiative to explore related topics independently especially something relevant as forensic psychology, which links closely to criminology.

Trenyce (Kingston Rep)

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