Forensic Psychology

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.

There are many jobs and careers that are options for you with a BSc Psychology degree. These include jobs within the Allied Psychology sector, such as: Employment Specialist, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Social Prescribing Link Worker, Wellbeing Manager, Mental Health Social Worker, FE Psychology teacher, Research Assistant or Assistant Psychologist, Prison Advocacy roles (e.g. Women In Prison); Probation Service. Some of these many require further training that we can help you with.

Some of our graduates choose to seek employment in non-Psychology areas. These are jobs in areas where there are employers who want psychology graduates, due to the transferable skills you will gain during your studies. These include Human Resources, Market Research, Civil Service, Business Graduate Training Schemes, Teaching, Third sector & Charity roles, administration, self-employed or entrepreneur, data work in public and private sectors, Police Work (via officer training/graduate schemes, and also Police support/civilian roles) and allied health professions.

BSc Psychology is also an essential qualification for students seeking further training and careers in Academia, Research, Clinical, Counselling, Occupational and Educational Psychology. All of these options are possible with our BPS-accredited degrees alongside experience. Other postgraduate options that you may wish to specialise include Health Psychology, Sports Psychology, Neuropsychology or Neuroscience, Forensic/Criminal Psychology.

Year 1: Thinking Like a Psychologist (Mental Wealth) (Core), Introduction to Biological and Social and Individual Differences (Core), Introduction to Cognitive and Developmental Psychology (Core), Psychology in Applied Contexts (Core), Researching with Small Samples (Core), Researching with Larger Samples (Core)

Year 2: Individual Differences and Diversity (Core), Psychological Research Methods (Core), Topics in Cognitive and Developmental Psychology (Core), Applications of Psychobiology and Social Psychology (Core), Work-Based Learning in Psychology (Mental Wealth) (Core), Research Skills in Cognitive Neuroscience (Optional), Introduction to Forensic Psychology (Optional), Psychology, Identity and Society (Optional), Childhood: Difficulties and Differences across Development (Optional), Clinical and Community Psychology (Optional), Introduction to Positive Psychology Coaching (Optional), Principles and Practices for Environmental Psychology (Optional), Topics in Cyberpsychology (Optional), The Psychology of Mental Health - Difficulties in Adulthood (Optional), Applying Psychology in Organisations (Optional)

Year 3: Psychology in Communication and Social Engagement  (Mental Wealth) (Core), Forensic Psychology Research Project (Core), Advanced Forensic Psychology (Core), Addiction (Optional), Health Psychology (Optional), Advanced Developmental Psychology (Optional), Psychology of Choice (Optional), Psychology of Belief (Optional), Psychology of Emotion (Optional), Occupational Psychology (Optional), Applied Cyberpsychology (Optional), Applied Evolutionary Psychology - Cognition, Culture, and Behaviour Change (Optional)

For more information about individual modules, please visit our course pages via the link below.

Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make the workload manageable. Assessment methods include group works, exams and individual work including essays, presentations, case studies, professional development and practical activities depending on the nature of the course. All grades count towards your module mark. More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides.

The course includes a core, work-based learning module at level 5 (Work-based Learning in Psychology). A minimum of 30 hours work experience is included in the module's study hours. Students are not assessed on their performance in the workplace but on assessments that require them to reflect on the experience, make links to relevant psychology research and theory and to their own personal and professional development.

Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• British Psychological Society