BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology

• • Mind and Social World: Developmental, Social and Cognitive Psychology

    Learn about the core theories and concepts of developmental, social and cognitive psychology. Gain an understanding of what developmental, social and cognitive psychology are and how they can explain human behaviour. Consider the different approaches to studying developmental, social and cognitive psychology. Explore the historical origins of these key areas of psychology. Develop knowledge of the work of prominent psychologists in influencing today’s developmental, social and cognitive psychology research. Begin to apply theoretical knowledge of these areas to explain everyday human behaviours.

  • Brain and Behaviour: Biological Psychology, Individual Differences and Quantitative Methods

    Gain an understanding of core theories and concepts in the core areas of biological psychology and individual differences. Explore our ancestral past, consider how behaviour has been affected by natural and sexual selection, giving rise to group norms as well as individual differences.  Students will demonstrate the ability to apply theoretical knowledge gained from these areas to explain everyday human behaviours. Learn the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for psychological investigation, evaluation, and communication alongside. Demonstrate an understanding of, and aptitude for, quantitative research methods and effectively communicate psychological research. 

  • The Building Blocks of Psychological Research

    Explore a variety of quantitative and qualitative research paradigms, developing an understanding of how psychologists’ views of the social world shape their research. Develop a working knowledge of the key methods psychologists use to create and answer questions about human activity, from initial areas of interest, through iterative design cycles, to select the most appropriate research method(s), always working within a robust legal, ethical and professional framework. A wide variety of approaches and data collection tools are explored from quantitative, qualitative and mixed method paradigms, experiencing knowledge creation from the perspective of both a research designer and a research participant.

  • Counselling Foundations

    Learn some of the key skills and qualities that characterise the counselling relationship and counselling process linked to psychological theory underpinning counselling practice. Gain an understanding of counselling as a distinct professional occupation as well as how counselling skills can be used in many professions and helping roles.
    Students undertaking this module can gain an externally validated level 2 award in counselling concepts and achieve the module credits if they meet all the requirements of the award.

  • Forensic and Criminal Psychology

    Learn about forensic and criminal psychology and the relevant key theoretical concepts. Develop an understanding of forensic and criminal psychology in the context of, and with reference to, other forensic sciences, and how psychology can be applied to the study of criminal behaviour. Learn about the development of forensic psychology as a discipline with regards to how crime, offender treatment, and the legal system have been conceptualised and approached. Explore a range of psychological theories of criminal behaviour, including those from an evolutionary perspective, examining different types of crime, including but not limited to, juvenile offending and gangs, violent and sexual offending, and fire-setting crimes. Engage with experts in practice who work within the Criminal Justice System and examine real-life crimes and apply psychological theories to understanding these crimes and the impact on the victims.

  • Clinical Psychology and Allied Professions

    You will be introduced to the practice of clinical psychology. Explore the historical, theoretical and practical aspects of clinical psychology. Understand what we mean by ‘mental health’. Examine common mental health disorders. Gain knowledge of clinical models of mental health. Learn about the varied roles in clinical psychology and allied professions. Develop and practice your skills in areas of clinical assessments and methods. Apply reflection techniques to your own career planning and transferable skills.

• • Interactions and Influences: Social Psychology, Individual Differences, and Qualitative Methods

    In this module, you’ll build a strong understanding of key ideas and research in social psychology. You’ll also learn about individual differences and qualitative research methods. You’ll explore how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. This will involve using qualitative methods to understand real-life experiences. You’ll also develop the skills to evaluate psychological research. You’ll apply key ideas from social psychology and individual differences in a clear and practical way.

  • Human Development and Cognition: Developmental, Cognitive and Quantitative Psychology 

    This module will deepen your understanding of developmental and cognitive psychology. It’ll also strengthen your skills in quantitative research methods. You’ll explore how we think and process the world around us. This includes key cognitive processes like memory, attention, and perception. These help us understand and interact with everyday life. You’ll also look at how environment and culture shape human development across the lifespan, from infancy through to older age. Alongside this, you’ll consider the wide range of human experiences. This will include people who are neurodiverse, have acquired brain injuries, or have exceptional abilities. You’ll also build more advanced skills in quantitative research and data analysis. You’ll do this by using what you learn to gain deeper insights into human behaviour.

  • Mental Health and Psychopathology

    In this module, you’ll build a strong understanding of different psychological conditions. This is across mental health, wellbeing, and psychopathology. You’ll explore the key ideas behind mental health and what they tell us about psychological wellbeing. You’ll also look at what it means to be mentally healthy, and how this differs from experiencing mental health difficulties. You’ll study a range of conditions. This includes developmental disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, psychosis, and trauma- and stress-related conditions. You’ll also look at the connection between physical and mental health. This includes the role of the gut, and how trauma can affect both the mind and the body.

  • Biological and Evolutionary Foundations of Human Behaviour

    Evolution plays a key role in shaping the way we behave. In this module, you’ll explore the main ideas behind evolutionary theory. You’ll combine this with your knowledge of how the body works, including the role of neurons and hormones. You’ll build a deeper understanding of biological processes in psychology and how behaviour has developed over time. You’ll then bring these ideas together to explain and understand human behaviour in today’s world.

  • Psychology of Investgative Interviewing and Interrogation 

    In this module, you’ll explore how psychology is used when interviewing suspects, victims, and eyewitnesses. You’ll look at what affects how reliable evidence is, including eyewitness accounts, expert testimony, and confessions. How much can we trust what people remember and tell? You’ll explore how memory works, and why it can sometimes be inaccurate. You’ll also learn how to spot and reduce the risk of mistakes, especially when it comes to attention and recall. Using real-life scenarios and case studies, you’ll apply ideas from different areas of psychology. These include social, cognitive, biological, and developmental psychology, as well as individual differences.

  • Psychology of Detection and the Criminal Trial 

    In this module, you’ll explore how psychology is used in criminal investigations and trials. You’ll look at how suspects are identified and how evidence is collected and presented in court. What can go wrong – and how can mistakes be avoided? You’ll examine different types of bias and learn how they can affect decisions. You’ll also explore how psychology plays a role at each stage of a trial, especially when it comes to how juries make decisions. Using real-life scenarios and case studies, you’ll apply ideas from different areas of psychology. These include social, cognitive, biological, and developmental psychology, as well as individual differences.

• • Communicating Psychological Science

    In this module, you’ll build on your research skills and prepare for your own empirical project. You’ll explore your interests and transferable skills through self-audits. You’ll then use these to develop your research questions and project proposals. What topic interests you most and how could you investigate it? Along the way, you’ll learn about ethical research practices and how to apply them in your work. You’ll also build confidence in presenting and explaining psychological theories and research to different audiences. You’ll explore reflexivity too, helping you understand how your own experiences and perspectives can shape your work. As part of the module, you’ll think about your future career options and take part in interactive activities to help you plan your next steps. You’ll also develop networking and relationship-building skills that can support your future career.

  • Empirical Project

    In this module, you’ll plan and carry out your own original research project in psychology. You’ll explore and evaluate existing research to help you develop your own research question. What do you want to investigate and how will you find the answer? You’ll choose the most suitable research methods and statistical techniques to collect and analyze your data. You’ll also think carefully about the ethical issues linked to your topic and how to manage them responsibly. Finally, you’ll share your findings through a presentation at an undergraduate classroom conference. This gives you the chance to communicate your work in a professional setting.

  • Health Psychology 

    In this module, you’ll explore the field of health psychology and the role of health psychologists. You’ll look at key theories and think critically about how they apply to real health issues. What helps people stay healthy – and what gets in the way? You’ll cover a range of topics, from mental health to long-term physical conditions. You’ll then apply psychological ideas and research to understand them better. You’ll also challenge traditional medical views of health. You’ll do this by exploring approaches like the biopsychosocial model and community health psychology. These help explain how biological, psychological, and social factors all work together. Through interactive learning, you’ll build practical problem-solving skills and explore real-world health challenges.

  • Perspectives on Addiction

    In this module, you’ll explore addictive behaviours from a range of psychological perspectives. You’ll look at theories that explain why addiction starts and how it’s maintained. This includes substance addictions like tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs, as well as behavioural addictions such as gambling. You’ll explore how biology, thinking patterns, learning processes, and social influences all play a role in addiction. You’ll look at how these factors can make recovery more challenging. You’ll also consider how addiction links to wider legal and political issues and the real-life experiences of people living with addiction.

  • Application of Psychology to Serious and Violent Offending

    In this module, you’ll explore why people commit serious and violent crimes through the lens of psychology. You’ll apply psychological theories and research to better understand offending behaviour. This includes cases a forensic psychologist may encounter in practice. Why do some people reoffend and how can we reduce the risk? You’ll explore how to use evidence-based interventions to support rehabilitation. This aims to help lower rates of reoffending. Using forensic scenarios and case studies, you’ll apply ideas from different areas of psychology. These include social, cognitive, biological, and developmental psychology, as well as individual differences.

  • Forensic & Criminal Psychology in Practice

    In this module, you’ll explore the role of a forensic psychologist and build the skills you need for this career. You’ll develop analytical, evaluative, and transferable skills while learning how to use assessment tools in forensic settings. How reliable are these tools and how should we interpret their results? You’ll also learn how to apply professional standards and codes of conduct when working in forensic psychology. Using your knowledge, you’ll practise developing and presenting expert witness testimony and explore the different roles a forensic psychologist may take on. You’ll also discuss important professional and ethical issues linked to the role. This is alongside building your skills in reflective practice and self-evaluation.

* Modules may change each year.