About the course

Our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course brings to life this exciting field of psychology, exploring how it can help us understand the criminal mind, criminal investigations, and the assessment and treatment of offenders.

The degree focuses on the techniques and issues at the forefront of practice in criminal, investigative and forensic psychology as well as key areas of the law such as police investigation, false confession and jury behaviour. You study the foundations of psychology and how it applies to criminal behaviour before exploring different psychological approaches; the role of an individual’s culture and society; and practical forensic psychology.

Through innovative assessments, you have the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have learnt in relation to real-world contexts. For example, you may assume the role of a forensic psychologist offering their expert opinion on the reliability of evidence used in a criminal trial; or you may evaluate evidence from a mock criminal investigation.

To become a fully-fledged chartered forensic psychologist, you will have to continue your studies at postgraduate level and undertake supervised practice.

Why choose this course?

• Develop knowledge of the role of forensic psychology in understanding offender behaviour and police investigations
• Learn about the professional skills used by forensic psychologists
• Demonstrate the skills you have acquired during your degree by conducting an original research project related to forensic psychology
• Learn from an academic team with a wealth of practical and research experience
• Benefit from one-to-one support from your personal academic tutor, who will help you develop your academic skills and provide you with advice about your future studies and career
• If you wish to gain relevant experience for the future, take the degree over four years and include a Professional Practice Year (see below)
• If you need a step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees entry to the undergraduate degree course. Alongside units to help build up your academic skills, you will also study Skill Development in Psychology, Psychological Understanding of Individuals in Society, Psychological Perspectives on Contemporary Issues and Examining Research in Psychology

"My experience during my placement year enabled me to determine the route I would like to specialise in. Upon graduation I applied to do my postgraduate in Forensic psychology and am currently undergoing my postgraduate placement in a mental health unit which is also associated with my speciality. Placement year enabled me to progress this far, it was one of the best years I’ve had as a student. Each day I learned something new, you can never be prepared for what each day will bring, you learn so much during your experience and you also gain more confidence, so don’t hold back and just go for it. Placement year is definitely worth your time." Nicki Roopan, BSc Forensic Psychology.

I joined the School of Psychology in 2016. Before starting at the University of Bedfordshire, I was a PhD candidate in Erasmus Mundus House of Legal Psychology programme.

My PhD research examined the consequence of withdrawing belief about the occurrence of past events. I am interested in the application of psychology to forensic issues.