Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  The BSc Forensic Psychology course offers a comprehensive foundation for those aspiring to build a career in psychology, particularly in forensic settings. Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), the course provides eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered (GBC) Membership – an essential starting point for your career as a professional psychologist. GBC membership offers several benefits, including access to academic journals, professional conferences, and networking events. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to attend talks with external experts within forensic settings, spanning both research and practice across various career paths. These sessions will offer valuable insights into the field, helping you make informed decisions about your future aspirations in forensic psychology.

  Stage One

  At Level 4 of the Forensic Psychology degree, you’ll be introduced to key themes, theories, and foundational research in the field. You’ll explore critical topics such as offence types, ethical decision-making, and the role of forensic psychologists. The curriculum also covers essential areas like profiling, prison systems, behavioural management, and mental health in the justice system, giving you a well-rounded understanding of forensic psychology. With dedicated assignment support and practical application, you’ll be fully prepared to advance to Level 5.

  Stage Two

  At Level 5, you’ll dive deeper into forensic practice, exploring advanced psychological, biological, and social theories behind criminal behaviour. You’ll study cognitive and behavioural explanations, genetic influences, criminal personality, and the connection between mental health issues, and crime, while also examining the impact of sociocultural factors and inequalities within the justice system. Practical experience will include conducting forensic risk assessments under the guidance of chartered forensic psychologists and exploring investigative techniques like deception detection. Field trips to various forensic settings will provide invaluable real-world insights into the role of forensic psychology in crime prevention and rehabilitation.

  Stage Three

  At Level 6, you’ll deepen your understanding of advanced forensic psychology topics, such as pathways into crime and addiction, intervention and rehabilitation, and criminal profiling with behavioural analysis. You’ll bridge cutting-edge research with practical application, while the core research methods module that runs throughout the programme will sharpen your ability to independently plan and conduct your own research. A work placement within the final year will also provide invaluable real-world experience, enhancing your employability post-graduation and laying a strong foundation for those considering an MSc programme.

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a Forensic and Psychology degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

  View Award Map

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • Stage 1
    • Psychology in Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1001

      Status: Compulsory
      This module introduces students to applications of psychological knowledge in the real world. It aims to help students acquire knowledge and understanding of theory and research relating to key topics in Applied Psychology and to develop the critical skills necessary to the evaluation of different approaches within Applied Psychology.
    • Introduction to Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1003

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with a broad understanding of psychology by introducing four core areas (social, developmental, cognitive and biological psychology). Students will develop critical thinking and evaluative skills of psychological material by focusing on theory, empirical research and real-life examples.
    • Investigating Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1004

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to promote reflective critical thinking and evaluation skills using a wide variety of psychological materials, and develop student confidence in evaluating and conducting Psychological research.
    • Becoming a Psychologist (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1006

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide a fundamental introduction to research design, analysis and interpretation in psychology. Students need to understand common methods of investigation, in order to appreciate the source and context of theories and research findings encountered in specific subject areas studied in other psychology modules.
    • Positive Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1011

      Status: Compulsory
      This module aims to develop student?s intra-and-inter-personal skills through exploring Positive Psychology theory and application and increasing self-awareness. Throughout the module, you will gain understanding for how these are experienced, how we relate to them, and what psychology has begun to understand about them.
    • Foundations of Forensic Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1013

      Status: Compulsory
      Foundations of Forensic Psychology will introduce students to key topics, theories, and historical debates that underpin Forensic Psychology. This module will enable students to examine various aspects of the justice system, from offending behaviour to police investigations, to the role of the courts.
  • Stage 2
    • Research Methods and Statistics (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2005

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to continue development in research skills established in ?Becoming a Psychologist? (PSY1006). Students will increase psychological competency in preparation for the dissertation via engaging in ethical thinking and enhancing core skills at all levels of the research process
    • Biological and Cognitive Psychology: Mechanisms of the Mind (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2029

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to build on the introduction to biological and cognitive approaches in psychology provided in Introduction to Psychology (PSY1003). It introduces new and more complex material with a view to developing students' knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of the theories and research applied in these approaches
    • Development and Society (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2030

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to build on the Social and Developmental Psychology material introduced in the Level 4 module PSY1003 - Introduction to Psychology. This module covers contemporary and critical perspectives related to development across the lifespan within complex social worlds and will be of interest to students wishing to deepen their knowledge of theories, research and methods in Social and Developmental Psychology.
    • Personality & the Fundamentals of Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2031

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to build upon material presented at Level 4 by tracing the historical development of Psychology as an academic discipline and exploring key theories and research in personality and individual differences. Special consideration will be given to conceptual issues that continue to generate debate.
    • Forensic Risk Assessment (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2032

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will equip students with an understanding of different assessment tools and psychometric tests used in psychology to assess an individual?s behaviour, and identify risks, problems, and disorders. Students will engage with opportunities to administer and interpret psychological tests for case studies of violent and nonviolent offenders.
    • Mapping the Landscape of Forensic Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2033

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to expand knowledge and understanding on the perspective of Forensic Psychology drawing upon theoretical and practical understandings.
  • Stage 3
    • Psychology of Mental Health (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3004

      Status: Designate
      This module aims to explore contemporary understandings of mental health and experience of individuals with mental health disorders. The module explores social, ethical, and scientific issues around the field of mental health and offers an environment for students to engage in critical analysis and debate.
    • Applying Positive Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3055

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to build on, and extend, the knowledge acquired by students at levels four and five. It will examine, critically, the impact of positive psychological processes in families, organizations and communities and evaluate how these may help or hinder the development of individual and collective strengths.
    • Forensic Intervention and Rehabilitation (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3058

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will equip students with the knowledge of evidence-based intervention and rehabilitation procedures for forensic service users and prisoners. Students will develop skills crucial to forensic mental health services and forensic psychologists.
    • Criminal Profiling and Behaviour Analysis (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3059

      Status: Designate
      Across this module, students will examine behaviour analysis techniques for predicting criminal behaviour and apply these to case studies of terror attacks. Students will also critically examine the development and application of criminal profiling techniques used by law enforcement. Thus, students will develop skills crucial to policing and national security professions.
    • Pathways into Crime and Addiction (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3060

      Status: Designate
      Pathways into crime will enable students to examine life experiences and genetic pre-dispositions that may influence offending behaviour. Students will be encouraged to assess the role of poverty, inequality, and the social causes of crime.
    • Forensic Psychology in Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3061P

      Status: Designate
      This module requires students to carry out approved work experience in an organisation relevant to forensic psychology. Students will benefit from the development of transferable skills from experiential learning which will support them in their career development.
    • Forensic Psychology Dissertation (40 Credits)
      Module code: PSY4010

      Status: Compulsory
      The dissertation builds on and expands students' prior knowledge of research in Forensic methodology acquired at levels four and five. It aims to foster the development of expertise in research methodology and skills in the design, conduct, analysis and write-up of research reports. This form of independent, experiential learning will require students to ask logical questions to diagnose and define problems, generate and implement solutions and evaluate the effectiveness of their action-outcomes. Independent, experiential learning develop students? abilities to work independently, and to reflect on the subject-specific research process.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time BSc Forensic Psychology course at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• Integrated Foundation Year

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• FAQs

  Where do Forensic Psychologists work?

  The main employer of forensic psychologists is HM Prison Service. However, there are several other opportunities for employment such as:

  • Home Office
  • NHS – in special hospitals and rehabilitation units, local forensic services, and secure hospitals
  • Police
  • Social services
  • Universities – in research and lecturing roles
  • Private consultancy

  How will I learn?

  The mode of teaching for this BSc Forensic Psychology is designed to provide as much face-to-face contact for students as possible. However, we also provide flexibility for those students who are unable to work on campus for travel, personal or other reasons.

  • Online and in-person lectures
  • Online and in-person tutorial groups
  • Practical lab and studio sessions

  How will I be assessed?

  • Written examinations
  • Practical reports and essays
  • Poster presentations
  • Oral presentations
  • Self-led research project
  • Online class tests
  • Reflective journals

  Is there the opportunity for research experience?

  You will be given the opportunity to apply for research assistant roles with members of the programme team. This involves collaborations with researchers in Universities across the UK, as well as international collaborations.

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