Overview

Ever wondered how the science of psychology is used to inform practice in forensic and legal settings?

This BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), is one of only a few undergraduate courses in the country specialising in this field. You’ll learn about investigative interviewing and deception detection, and cover topics such as eye witness identification and burglar selection strategy.

You’ll be eligible for graduate membership of the BPS when you complete the course, which is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. The skills you learn will also be useful in careers like police work, social welfare, the probation service and teaching. 

This degree confers eligibility for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Graduate Basis for Registration.

Entry requirements​

BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology degree entry requirements

Close all2020 start

Qualifications or experience

• 120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent.

See full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept

English language requirements

• English Language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

See alternative English language qualifications

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.2021 start

What you’ll experience

On this degree course you’ll:

• Be taught by academic researchers, who are conducting pioneering research in forensic psychology
• Have the opportunity to put your investigative techniques to the test in our Forensic Interviewing Suite, which features thermal imaging cameras and advanced digital and video analysis
• Develop transferable skills in communication, numeracy, teamwork, critical thinking, computing and independent learning
• Be able to use eye-tracking equipment and test minority influencing scenarios in our Observation Suite
• Take advantage of our connections with the local justice sector, offering opportunities for forensic psychology work placements
• Enjoy the benefits of studying in a department hosting one of the UK’s largest forensic psychology research groups
• Use our motion capture studios, which feature the latest Vicon optical system, to explore the mechanics and perception of human movement, looking at how body language influences our appraisal of others and affects interpersonal interactions

Careers and opportunities

When you complete the course, you’ll be eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS), which is an essential first step to becoming a professional forensic psychologist. To become a professional forensic psychologist, you’ll need to do further academic training for up to 6 years.

What can you do with a Forensic Psychology degree?

Many graduates go on to do an MSc in Forensic Psychology after the course. You could also start a career in areas such as:

• teaching
• health associated professions
• social welfare
• police work
• probation service
• research

What jobs can you do with a Forensic Psychology degree?

Roles previous graduates have gone on to include:

• clinical psychologist
• forensic psychologist
• educational psychologist
• counsellor
• health planning analyst

When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job or further training that puts your skills to work. After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years as you advance in your career.

I like the fact that we are able to study forensic topics throughout the course and not only in the final year as was offered at some universities.

Hannah Brock, BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology

What you’ll study on this BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology degree

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, in the first 2 years, you’ll study 6 modules, each worth 20 credits. In the final year of your degree, you’ll study 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.

Modules

Close allYear 1Year 2Placement year (optional)Year 3

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Placement year

After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the field.

Previous students have completed work placements in organisations such as prisons and medium secure units.

We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

Work experience and career planning

To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you find relevant work experience during your course.

We can help you identify placements, internships, voluntary roles and opportunities that will complement your studies and build links in the industry

Academic skills support

As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Note taking
• Time management
• Critical thinking
• Presentation skills
• Referencing
• Working in groups
• Revision, memory and exam techniques

If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.

Support with English

If English isn’t your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you’re here, you can take part in our free English for Academic Purposes programme to improve your English further.

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

• lectures
• tutorial groups
• practical lab and studio sessions

There’s a priority on integrating research into all of our teaching. This ensures you’ll learn about the most important and current issues in forensic psychology that effect real-life practice.

How you’ll spend your time

Each academic year is divided into 2 teaching blocks and 2 assessment periods:

• September to December – teaching block 1
• January – assessment period 1
• January to May – teaching block 2 (includes Easter break)
• May to June – assessment period 2

How you’re assessed:

You’ll be assessed through:

• written examinations
• practical reports and essays
• poster presentations
• oral presentations
• self-led research project

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:Year 1 students: 25% by written exams, 22% by practical exams and 53% by courseworkYear 2 students: 38% by written exams, 8% by practical exams and 54% by courseworkYear 3 students: 33% by written exams, 13% by practical exams and 54% by coursework 

​Course costs

Tuition fees (2020 start)

• UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• International students – £16,400 per year (subject to annual increase)

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Additional costs

Close allAccommodation and living costs

Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.Recommended reading

You’ll study up to 6 units a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each unit.

You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.General costs

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.Final year project

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.Placements

If you do an optional placement unit during your study, you’ll need to pay additional costs.

These costs will vary depending on the location and length of the placement. You’ll normally pay £50–£2000 to cover travel, accommodation and living costs.

Apply

How to apply

Close allStarting in 2020

To start this course in 2020, apply through UCAS. You’ll need:

• the UCAS course code – C810
• our institution code – P80

If you’d prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.

You can start your application now and submit it later if you want.

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

• tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
• speak with lecturers and chat with our students 
• get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you’re new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.Starting in 2021

How to apply from outside the UK

Close allInternational and EU students

If you’re from outside of the UK, you can apply for this course through UCAS or apply directly to us (see the ‘How to apply’ section above for details). You can also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section. 

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to our terms and conditions as well as the University’s policies, rules and regulations. You should read and consider these before you apply.

Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons)

OverviewCourse contentEntry requirementsTeaching and assessmentStaffFees

Why choose this course?

Fascinating and disturbing, criminal behaviour arises from social, biological and cognitive factors. We need to understand these if we are to help create a safer and fairer society.

Forensic psychology looks at the relationships between brain and criminal behaviour, how social groups interact and how human beings learn and develop. It also examines the treatment of offenders and the impact of crime on the broader community. You’ll be able to gain valuable experience, with the opportunity for work-based practice or observation.

Choosing from a range of option modules, you’ll be able to tailor your studies to your own interests and aspirations. You may also research a topic in depth for a dissertation.Apply for this course in Clearing

Attendance	UCAS code/apply	Year of entry
3 years full time	C8C6	2020 (Clearing) 2021
4 years full time including foundation year	C816	2020 (Clearing) 2021
4 years full time including sandwich year	CC86	2020 (Clearing) 2021
6 years part time	Apply direct to the University	2020 (Clearing) 2021

Location

Penrhyn Road

Order a prospectusBook an Open DayContact us

Reasons to choose Kingston University

• This is one of the few courses in the UK to offer a specialist forensic psychology qualification
• This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• You’ll be eligible for Graduate Membership and the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership; this is the first step towards becoming a chartered psychologist. With further training, you can begin a career in forensic psychology.

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which means that you could go on to become a Chartered Psychologist if that is your chosen career path. This is an ongoing accreditation.

Graduates, with a minimum of a 2:2, from this course are eligible to gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the BPS.  This is a necessary first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. You would then take further training in a specific field of psychology that you want to work in. This could then lead to a career as a Chartered Psychologist in your chosen field, for example forensic psychology.

What you will study

Take a look at some of the content and modules that you may have the opportunity to study on our Forensic Psychology course:

Year 1

Year 2

Optional year

Sandwich year

Final year

In your first year you will acquire a broad foundation of knowledge around key theories and ideas of psychological science.  You will begin to critically analyse historic perspectives, contemporary issues and explore the social nature of crime and deviance. Whilst being introduced to key strategies which are used in psychological research.

Core modules

Crime, Law and Justice

30 credits

This module will provide students with an introduction to the institutions, processes and legal foundations of the criminal justice system in England and Wales. The module is core to the undergraduate degree. The module familiarises students with the language and reasoning of the criminal law and the structure and chronology of the criminal justice process. There is an emphasis on the development and practice of key academic skills especially information retrieval.

Foundations of Psychology

30 credits

This module introduces students to theories and ideas of psychological science in core areas of research. This module allows students to acquire a broad foundation of knowledge of these core areas, as well as many specialist sub-areas of psychology (e.g., biological psychology, learning, sensory and perceptual processes, memory, thought and knowledge, language, social, developmental, neuropsychology, individual differences, clinical).

Introduction to Forensic Psychology

30 credits

This module will introduce students to major areas of investigation within forensic psychology with special emphasis on how these link to core areas of the discipline (social, biological and developmental psychology and approaches to personality/individual differences). Students will also be introduced to related topics in law, court procedures and forensic science. The module will also provide some insight into the training and career pathways for forensic psychologists.

Psychology Research Methods 1

30 credits

This module is a core requirement for students taking psychology in level 4. The module will introduce you to key strategies which are used in psychological research, including designing an experiment, hypothesis testing, and statistical analysis. The main features of the module will involve the acquisition of practical skills in psychological research, learning how to apply and carry out statistical tests using SPSS, and how to report research findings.

Throughout the module you will learn how to design a research project, analyse data and report a psychological experiment.

The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.

Foundation Year – Social Sciences

If you would like to study this degree at Kingston University but are not yet ready to join the first year of a BSc (Hons) course, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year.Find out more about the foundation year

Life on the course

Psychology conference

Check out the video from the department’s annual Psychology conference

Themed week: an inter-play of subjects

Students experience the interdisciplinary nature of their subject

After you graduate

This degree will help you build a career as a forensic psychologist or in a complementary sector, such as the police force, community rehabilitation settings, and/or legal services.

Entry requirements

If you would like to join us through Clearing 2020, please call our Clearing hotline on 0800 0483 334 (or +44 020 8328 1149 if you are calling from outside the UK) and speak to our friendly and knowledgeable hotliners who will be able to provide information on available courses and will guide you through your options.

Please note the entry requirements listed below are for 2021 entry only.

Entry requirements 2021

UCAS tariff points: 120 for BSc (Hons); 48 for BSc (Hons) including foundation year.

Additional requirements

Entry on to this course does not require an interview, entrance test, audition or portfolio

International

• We welcome applications from International Applicants. Please view our standard entry requirements from your country
• All non-UK applicants must meet our English Language requirements. For this course it is Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no element below 5.5

Teaching and assessment

Timetabled teaching and learning on this course includes lectures, small group tutorials and seminars. 

Guided independent study

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we’ll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University. 

Your workload

Year 1

241 hours959 hours

Task	Value
241 hours	241
959 hours	959

• Scheduled teaching: 241 hours
• Guided independent study: 959 hours

Year 2

248 hours952 hours

Task	Value
248 hours	248
952 hours	952

• Scheduled teaching: 248 hours
• Guided independent study: 952 hours

Final year

186 hours1014 hours

Task	Value
186 hours	186
1014 hours	1,014

• Scheduled teaching: 186 hours
• Guided independent study: 1014 hours

• Year 1 – 20% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity
• Year 2 – 21% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity
• Final year – 16% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules

How you will be assessed

Assessment typically comprises exams (eg test or exam), practical (eg presentations, performance) and coursework (eg essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:

Year 1

45%55%

Task	Value
55%	55
0%	0
45%	45

• Coursework: 55%
• Practical: 0%
• Exam: 45%

Year 2

30%10%60%

Task	Value
60%	60
10%	10
30%	30

• Coursework: 60%
• Practical: 10%
• Exam: 30%

Final year

40%60%

Task	Value
60%	60
0%	0
40%	40

• Coursework: 60%
• Practical: 0%
• Exam: 40%

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 40 students and lecture sizes are normally 60-70. However this can vary by module and academic year.

Course fees and funding

2020/21 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a ‘Home’ (UK or EU), ‘Islands’ or ‘International’ student. In 2020/21 the fees for this course are:

Fee category	Amount
Home (UK and EU students)	Foundation year: £9,250 £9,250*
International	Foundation year: £14,600 Year 1 (2020/21): £14,600 Year 2 (2021/22): £15,000 Year 3 (2022/23): £15,450

For courses with a sandwich year, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home/EU tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK and EU students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

2019/20 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a ‘Home’ (UK or EU), ‘Islands’ or ‘International’ student. In 2019/20 the fees for this course are:

Fee category	Amount
Home (UK and EU students)	Foundation year: £7,800 £9,250*
International	Foundation year: £14,200 Year 1 (2019/20): £14,200 Year 2 (2020/21): £14,600 Year 3 (2021/22): £15,000
Islands (Channel Islands and Isle of Man)	To be confirmed by the Island Authorities

For courses with a sandwich year, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home/EU tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK and EU students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Text books

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to, or be required to, buy your own copy of key textbooks.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences.

Free WIFI is available on each of the campuses.

Printing

In the majority of cases coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees.

Travel

Travel costs are not included but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses and halls of residence.