Forensic psychology is the application of psychological knowledge to the criminal justice system and criminal behaviour. Forensic psychology, as with more mainstream psychology, takes as its subject matter from the empirical study of behaviour. On this programme students will cover the range of topics to be found on any BPS accredited BSc Psychology programme, including the biological basis of behaviour, mental functioning, development and change across the lifespan, individual differences such as personality and intelligence and the influence of social contexts on behaviour. As well as covering key topics in psychology, and their applications to applied contexts such as health, work, education, and therapy, this programme also applies psychological theories to forensic issues. The topics included in the programme are for the most part dictated by what issues forensic psychologists contend with, and how they function on a daily basis. Therefore, students will be introduced to the underlying skills that forensic psychologists use in assessing, interviewing and case formulation, together with related theories and research evidence. Moreover, the programme will examine the contextual aspects of forensic psychology and the applications of psychological theory to the understanding of offending behaviour and criminal conduct. The objective of the programme is to cultivate the intellectual development of students by providing them with a range of theoretical approaches to forensic psychology, and to provide transferable professional and generic skills to help students to work competently within a forensic setting.

• We have successfully run undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Psychology for over forty years.
• The BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (formerly known as Graduate Basis for Registration) (for those achieving a Lower Second Class Honours degree or above). This is an essential pre-requisite for continuing onto professional training programme. It is worth noting that many of these now require ‘good’ degrees (First Class or Upper second Class Honours degrees). On completion of this award you will not be qualified to practice as a Forensic Psychologist without undertaking further postgraduate training.
• As well as our BSc programmes the School of Psychology offers postgraduate programmes in all the main areas of professional applied Psychology: clinical psychology, child & educational psychology, occupational psychology and counselling psychology (as well as having numerous postgraduate research students)
• We also offer post graduate programmes in Counselling, Guidance, Coaching and Positive Psychology.
• The programme has a significant option element, including modules relevant to later professional training.
• Our BSc programmes are available full-time and part-time
• Over 80% of our BSc graduates have found jobs or postgraduate training places within 6 months.
• Several  UEL psychology graduates have become professors of psychology and a great many have achieved senior positions in clinical, educational and occupational psychology and, more generally, in industry and commerce.
• Our students come from a wide range of ethnic & cultural backgrounds with a significant proportion of international students.  Around 50% are mature students.

BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology is a three-year full-time programme or normally a minimum of four and a half years part-time, though this can often be reduced to four years, depending on previous qualifications and experience.

There are two semesters in each year of study, and in each semester a full-time student would usually study and be assessed in three modules. Each module carries a 20-credit value. At Level 3, however, there is a double, 40-credit research project module, which runs for the entire year.

To be awarded an honours degree in forensic psychology, a student would have completed (or been given prior accreditation in up to two-thirds of) a total of 18 modules, with a value of 360 credits. This would comprise 120 credits at Level 1, 120 at level 2 and 120 at Level 3. The research project Level 3 module must be passed in order to achieve an Honours degree.

A student studying part time would progress at a slower pace. Up to two modules per semester may be followed and assessed in the part time mode.

Teaching methods vary from module to module but include lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, demonstrations, workshops and individual supervision. Student learning is supported by lecture notes, module handbooks and suggested reading. Direct class contact is supplemented by on-line interactive programme materials, individual reading, completion of set exercises and preparation for assignments.

Learning resources include IT and general and specialised psychology laboratories and equipment, access to electronic databases and specialist library facilities.

Assessment is by a mix of coursework and examination. Coursework includes essays, research reports, group and seminar presentations and a final year critical project. The majority of assessment at Level 1 is by coursework, to provide maximum formative feedback to students. At Levels 2 and 3, the balance of coursework and examination will depend on option choice, but one-third of Level 3 is given to an empirical research coursework project.

A level 2 work-based-learning module is available as an option for single honours students. Further information is available from the University Employability Unit. Students are also encouraged to undertake relevant voluntary work, and opportunities for this are displayed at the Psychology Help Desk.

The final year project is a compulsory module for Honours. Students conduct a literature review of an area within forensic psychology of their choice, and design, carry out, analyse and interpret an original empirical investigation in this same area. The student is supported on a one-to-one basis by regular meetings with an academic supervisor with research and/or theoretical expertise in the area. Postgraduate professional training staff are also available to act as supervisors to undergraduate students if appropriate.

The range of expertise available in the School enables students to choose from a variety of option modules in both forensic psychology and more applied areas of work that will help prepare them for a range of careers.  For those achieving a lower second class honours degree or above, the degree confers eligibility for further graduate professional training (Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (formerly known as Graduate Basis for Registration) with the British Psychological Society), which is the first step towards being a Chartered Psychologist.

• The problem of crime and the workings of the Criminal Justice System
• Acquiring knowledge and deep understanding of theories and principles of psychology as applied to forensic contexts
• Analysing the complex interaction between psychological and social factors, crime and the courts
• Applying psychological theory to the understanding of criminal activities and offending behaviour
• Understanding the role of forensic psychologists in modern practice of the discipline
• Working with people in a range of professional settings
• Gaining good, flexible employment related skills

• Keeping abreast of current affairs and investigating the causes of crime
• Engaging in psychological work that focuses on forensic issues such as crime and deviant behaviour
• Investigating the approach of the criminal courts towards suspects/defendants, victims and witnesses
• Designing and carrying out empirical work into forensic issues

• A professionally accredited degree in Psychology
• The opportunity to enter postgraduate training for a career
• Knowledge and skills that can be used in a large range of career settings
• To study in a friendly and informal school

A good degree in forensic psychology is the first step towards becoming a professional forensic psychologist. A degree in this field would also be a route into other professional psychology fields namely, clinical, educational, occupational, counselling, or health psychology. Those wishing to specialise in these areas undertake further postgraduate training at Masters or Doctorate level.

As well as providing a route into professional forensic psychology, a degree in this field is also relevant to a wide range of other areas of forensic work. Graduates of the programme would be well suited for posts within organizations such as the Police, the probation and prison service, youth offending teams, and drugs referral and treatment agencies to name but a few, many of which incorporate forensic psychological features into their work. Alternatively, since all graduates will have a BPS-recognised degree, they are not limited to a career in forensic psychology, but may pursue a career in any other area of psychological related employment. Examples of these are social welfare, sport & leisure, education, human resource management, consumer research and advertising, media, market research and community work.

In addition to covering specific areas of psychology, a degree in forensic psychology as with any degree in psychology provides training in data collection and analysis, communication skills and report writing, IT skills and interpersonal awareness. It therefore provides an excellent basis for employment in areas not directly related to psychology.

Students joining the programme are offered an induction programme in the week before classes begin. Returning students also receive induction to the next level or year of their programme.

All students are allocated a personal and academic tutor. Additional help is available from year group tutors, the programme leader and leaders of individual modules. The School of Psychology has a well-established mentoring scheme in which volunteers from the second and third years of the programme act as mentors to the first year students.

First year students are supported by a programme designed to help them develop study skills, covering IT skills, library use, report and essay writing, the ethics of study and research, and working in groups. Research Methodology teaching is supplemented by on-line interactive programme materials & discussion groups.

Final year project supervisors also provide personal support and help with career choice, job applications and preparation of CVs.

Students can take advantage of the flexibility of our provision (full-time/part-time, and for core modules day or evening teaching), to adjust their mode of study to suit changes in their financial, occupational or family responsibilities.

Specialist support (for example, for financial advice, careers advice, counselling and learning support) is also available from central University services. The University has a student special needs advisor.

Students have the chance to participate in and help with real-life research. The best student projects have been accepted for publication in professional journals.

Our Psychology Help Desk offers a valuable one-stop source of information and advice, as well as a centre for handing in and retrieving course work, booking equipment and rooms, and assistance with IT problems.