This article reviews the evidence base for a range of contemporary, student-centred curriculum design methodologies, including inquiry-based learning (IBL), problem-based learning (PBL), project-based learning (PjBL), challenge-based learning (CBL), place-based learning and competency-based education (CBE), and considers their applicability to the design of a contemporary undergraduate criminology degree. Drawing on systematic reviews, meta-analyses and recent empirical literature, the article evaluates the theoretical underpinnings, andragogical benefits and structural limitations of each approach. It situates these findings within the requirements of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Subject Benchmark Statement for Criminology (QAA, 2022), which explicitly positions research and critical enquiry as foundational to the discipline and calls for curriculum designs that embed equality, diversity and inclusion, education for sustainable development, and professional partnership. The article argues that no single methodology is sufficient on its own and that a principled hybrid model, drawing selectively on the strengths of each approach, offers the most coherent and evidence-informed basis for criminology curriculum design. Implications for degree revalidation, staff development, assessment design and partnership are discussed.
The present study explores police cadets’ perceptions of the Psychology course within their training context. The sample consisted of 111 first-year cadets who completed a structured questionnaire including subscales measuring attitudes toward the course, perceived professional usefulness, contribution to personal development, content evaluation, level of understanding, and comparative evaluation with other courses. The findings indicate a moderate to positive overall attitude, with particularly strong recognition of the course’s professional relevance. However, lower levels of intrinsic motivation and perceived contribution to personal development were observed. The course content was evaluated as contemporary, relevant, and appropriately demanding, although it did not strongly engage students’ interest. A key finding of the study is the clear preference for more interactive and experiential teaching methods, which appear crucial for enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes. Overall, while the Psychology course is acknowledged as an essential component of police education, the results highlight the need for a pedagogical redesign focusing on applied learning and active participation.
