Forensic Psychology with Foundation Year

This course includes an additional foundation year at the start of the course which helps prepare you for full time undergraduate study at BSc level. It is a 4 year course and available to you if you didn't quite meet the entry requirements or want longer to prepare for full time study. At the end of the foundation year you will begin to study the 3 year degree plan, and you will qualify with the same degree award at the end of the course.

This course has a shared first year across multiple specialisms. After your first year, if you want to study a different specialism you can choose to change between BSc (Hons) Psychology, BSc (Hons) Counselling Psychology, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology, BSc (Hons) Psychology & Criminology, and BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
A Psychology degree helps you gain an understanding of the root cause of behaviours, thoughts and emotions and explain them within the scope of scientific theory. You can expect to build a deep understanding of yourself and our societies, develop your analytical mind, nurture your curiosity and understand communication and relationships.

If you choose to become chartered with the British Psychological Society (BPS) you can go on to practice Psychology as a scientist, analyst, researcher, commentator, advisor or as a clinician. Psychology is a wide field, and there is a lot of paths to choose from. Psychology crosses over with medical science, clinical practice, business and more.

What facilities can I use?
With fantastic facilities in the Buckinghamshire area, we are the only institution that can offer our equipment in High Wycombe and the immediate surrounding area. Our High Wycombe campus is located only 35 minutes from central London which makes commuting super easy and stress free. At our High Wycombe Campus, we have purpose-built facilities, including well-equipped simulation clinics and rehabilitation teaching rooms.

What will I study?
Forensic science has addressed the need for scientific specialties within the investigation and prosecution of crime. At the heart of every major case is evidence, and Forensics are an essential part of uncovering the full story. As someone who works in Forensics, you are interested in the facts, and you extract them from the background noise with precision, care and skill. You will build up your analytical mind, able to recognize patterns and inconsistencies and communicate this in reports.

Career Prospects
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

There are many options to explore with your Psychology degree; it’s the first step to starting postgraduate study in a more focused area like clinical, educational, forensic, counselling, health, cognitive neuropsychology and sports psychology (to name a few). Or perhaps you’d prefer to dive right into the world of work and explore a career in health, education, local government or the infinite possibilities available to you in the private and public sector. You could become a teaching assistant, learning support assistant or mental health support specialist.

Graduates can choose to continue their studies at BNU and study a postgraduate programme, such as our MSc Applied Positive Psychology, MSc Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education, or even the MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

There are numerous opportunities which your degree could help to open. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in psychology, clinical psychology, forensic psychology, therapy, nursing, and private and public businesses.

Foundation Year
Core
Human Behaviour
Research Matters
Human Science – Dissecting the details
Human Communication
Exploring Intersections
Knowledge Unleashed

Year one
Core
Frameworks of Living Psychology
Applying Psychology
Researching Psychology
Nature and Nurture in Psychology
The Mind, the Person, and the Social World

Year two
Core
Personality and Development
Sensation, Perception, and Beyond
Quantitative Methods in Psychology
Qualitative Approaches in Psychology
Psychological Perspectives in Classifying Criminality
Psychopathologies of Criminal Behaviour

Year three
*Core
Conceptual and Critical Social Psychology
Forensic Professional Practice Issues
Interpersonal Violence and Victimology
Psychology Undergraduate Dissertation

Optional Modules
Investigative and Forensic Psychology
Police Psychology and the Legal Framework
Brain, Mind and Behaviour
Pathways to Wellbeing and Transformative Experience
Evolutionary Psychology
Health Psychology
Disability, Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System
Employability and Professional Development
States, Beliefs, Values: Psychology in Practice

This course is accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS), which means certain modules are incorporated into the course, which you must pass to achieve the Graduate Basis for chartered membership. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) and from there you can take steps towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist, which is a highly desired accreditation.

There are many ways you can be assessed, and assessments are designed to help you learn and identify certain areas you need to improve. We use a variety of assessment techniques to look at your ability and areas you may need support with. You must pass the module assessments to progress with the course. Some of the methods we use are:

exams
presentations
group work
projects
labs
coursework

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

• British Psychological Society