Psychology and Criminal Behaviour with Professional Practice Year BSc (Hons)

This BPS accredited course covers the relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system, exploring police investigation, false confessions, expert witnesses, jury behaviour and treatment of complex offenders and gives you the chance to work on research projects such as offender profiling and crime analysis, criminal thinking styles and lie detection. Graduates from this course who achieve a Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS are eligible to apply to study forensic psychology at postgraduate level. Typically, students opt for an accredited MSc programme, which the University offers - which corresponds with Stage One of the Forensic Psychology Diploma. An alternative route is to undertake a taught doctorate programme which will combine the taught elements of Stage One with the practice placements of Stage Two.

Alternatively, you would be qualified to apply to study any area of psychology at post-graduate level that leads to chartership (e.g. Educational, Sport, Health etc.). Other career routes taken by former graduates include; undertaking a PhD (an apprenticeship in research), working in both officer and staff roles with the police (e.g. Witness Care Officer, Crime Reduction Adviser, Antisocial Behaviour Officer, Hate Crime Officer), research roles with the Ministry of Justice and client facing roles in youth offending, probation, prison, mental health, Women’s Aid, etc.

This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.