Program Overview

Our exciting and highly stimulating forensic psychology course will equip you for a future career in various roles within the wider criminal justice system.  The course is not solely focussing on individuals and the reasons behind the crime but also examines how the various social and psychological factors have an impact on lives and, in turn, offending behaviour.

Building from the broad grounding we'll give you in basic psychology, you'll specialise in evaluating the dynamic interplay between psychological and social factors that might affect offending behaviour, consider the evidence base in the area alongside individual pathways and lived experience. You will also develop a deeper understanding of the processes involved in the criminal justice system.  

The course is designed to give students both a solid understanding of mainstream psychology and a more detailed understanding of forensic psychology theory, research and practice. You will be encouraged to critically engage with academic material, evaluate its applications and develop an understanding of individual pathways and issues related to research and practice in secure settings. Understanding both evidence and the experience of those who have committed a crime will assist you in the development of your own critical approach to professional practice and research in forensic psychology.

A degree in forensic psychology will help you build a career in organisations such as the Prison Service, the Probation, Youth Offending teams, substance use and secure mental health services.

It will also put you in a good position to apply for the specialised postgraduate training needed to become a practising forensic psychologist.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Our psychology degree will give you a broad knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of modern psychology. You will develop a good knowledge of the influences on and factors involved in human functioning in all the core areas of psychology:

• Biological foundations
• Cognitive Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Individual Differences
• Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology
• Research methods

You will also develop detailed knowledge of several specialised areas through option choice, develop knowledge of research paradigms, methods and measurement techniques, of real life applications of theory to behaviour and experience, and knowledge of how behaviour and experience can be affected by physical and mental illness. This knowledge will be backed up by subject-based practical skills such as the ability to design and conduct research, to analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data, and awareness of ethical issues and principles in research on human behaviour.

Key to many careers - you will also develop thinking skills, including analysis and interpretation of evidence, scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and appreciation of multiple perspectives and approaches. Furthermore, other skills for life and work including communication, computer literacy (word processing, statistical software), interpersonal and group skills, numeracy and statistical competence, self-knowledge and reflexivity, and planning and time-management.

In your second and third years, you will have the opportunity to concentrate on forensic psychology modules and in your final year, you'll design, execute and analyse a project in your subject area.

We consistently review our courses to ensure we are up to date with industry changes and requirements from our graduates. As a result, our modules are subject to change.