Forensic Psychology

Course details: Forensic psychology applies psychological knowledge to the understanding of criminal behaviour and the criminal justice system. You study core psychological areas, and specific forensic psychology modules.

You develop essential skills to work in sectors such as prisons, rehabilitation units, secure units, courts, police, probation, education, charity and voluntary, research, and government policy, and with victims, offenders and professionals. You are also highly valued to work in non-psychology related careers such as management, social work, healthcare, human resources, and other public services.

Your skillset includes designing and conducting research, using psychometric tests, writing risk assessments, giving evidence in court as an expert, critically apprising police interviews and court transcripts, and also developing a good understanding of human behaviour and working across other disciplines such as criminology.

You consider different experiences of victims, witnesses, defendants, and legal professionals within the criminal justice system. You examine different types of crime and criminals such as, violent, and sexual offending, female offenders, youth offending, as well as contemporary issues including terrorism and cybercrime. You focus on how individuals give best evidence by learning the theory and research behind police interviewing and consider the role of jurors, witnesses, and experts first-hand by taking classes in our replica courtroom.

Top reasons to study this course 1. Forensic psychology applies psychological knowledge to the understanding of criminal behaviour and the criminal justice system. You study core psychological areas, and specific forensic psychology modules. 2. You develop essential skills to work in sectors such as prisons, rehabilitation units, secure units, courts, police, probation, education, charity and voluntary, research, and government policy, and with victims, offenders and professionals. You are also highly valued to work in non-psychology related careers such as management, social work, healthcare, human resources, and other public services. 3. Your skillset includes designing and conducting research, using psychometric tests, writing risk assessments, giving evidence in court as an expert, critically apprising police interviews and court transcripts, and also developing a good understanding of human behaviour and working across other disciplines such as criminology. 4. You consider different experiences of victims, witnesses, defendants, and legal professionals within the criminal justice system. You examine different types of crime and criminals such as, violent, and sexual offending, female offenders, youth offending, as well as contemporary issues including terrorism and cybercrime. You focus on how individuals give best evidence by learning the theory and research behind police interviewing and consider the role of jurors, witnesses, and experts first-hand by taking classes in our replica courtroom.

After the course: Although this is an academic course rather than a professional training course, on successful completion, with a 2.2 or above, you will be eligible to apply for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) status with the British Psychological Society (www/bps.org.uk). As with all our psychology degrees, upon graduation you can proceed to further study in any area of psychology. However, the unique skills and knowledge developed on this course are particularly suited to the postgraduate training you will need in order to become a Chartered Forensic Psychologist.

We offer a series of workshops and events in the first, second and third year that ensure all students are equipped with both degree level subject knowledge PLUS the practical skills that employers are looking for in new graduate recruits.