Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons)

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Available with:

  • Foundation Year

Accreditations

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Course Summary

Are you fascinated by the intersection of psychology and the criminal justice system? Our Forensic Psychology degree provides an insight into the world of crime and criminality, criminal investigation and profiling, alongside the British Psychological Society (BPS) core curriculum. With a focus on applying psychological principles to real-world cases, you'll gain a unique perspective on criminal behaviour and the justice system.

The University of Chester’s Forensic Psychology degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). As such, you can achieve the Graduate Basis for Chartership of this professional body. Our dedicated team, comprised of experienced academics and practitioners, provides expert guidance and support. Our facilities, including labs equipped with eye trackers, Dynavision, biopacs, cold pressor, VR technology and FaceGen software, offer a hands-on learning experience.

You'll have the opportunity to engage in specialised project work, learn from guest speakers and gain practical experience through hands-on modules. You can join our student-led Psychology society for social and academic events and explore study abroad options to broaden your horizons and pursue areas of study of your choice. You'll be well-prepared for a rewarding career in law enforcement, criminal profiling, rehabilitation or research.

Why you'll Love it

Hands-on learning and real-world applications

Our Forensic Psychology degree provides a practical and engaging learning experience. With applied assessments like case studies, offender profiles and offender formulations, you'll gain valuable skills and knowledge that can be applied in various professional settings.

Two female students smiling while sitting at table with laptop screen open

Career-focused course

We're committed to helping you achieve your career goals. Our course ensures that you can meet the requirements for British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation, and our specialist psychology career programme provides guidance and support to help you develop the skills you need for success as a forensic psychologist or in related fields, such as law enforcement or probation.

Expert guidance and specialised modules

Our dedicated team of forensic psychology specialists will guide you through your studies, providing in-depth knowledge and insights into the field. With specialised modules at every level, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of forensic psychology, from theoretical concepts to practical applications. You'll also have the opportunity to work on a small group project and your own research dissertation, further enhancing your skills and knowledge.

BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology

BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology

What you'll Study

The BSc Forensic Psychology course contains core modules at each level.

At Level 4, students are introduced to forensic psychology, research methods and the core areas of psychology (biological, cognitive, developmental, social, and individual differences). 

At Level 5, students will develop in-depth knowledge in areas of forensic psychology, and they also build on research methods and expand on their learning around social psychology and individual differences. There is also the opportunity to engage in an experiential learning module, which allows students to integrate ideas from multiple perspectives in psychology and apply their knowledge ethically and professionally to real-world problems.

At Level 6, students will have the opportunity to complete a large-scale dissertation in forensic psychology where they will be able to demonstrate a range of research skills, including designing and planning, considering and resolving ethical issues, and analysis and dissemination of findings. Students will continue developing in-depth knowledge in areas of forensic psychology, and they will also be able to learn about other specific areas in psychology, such as psychopathology.

There are several optional modules which may run depending on availability of staff expertise. Topics may include cyberpsychology, organisational psychology and animal psychology.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If, during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How you'll Learn

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You will be assessed in a variety of ways

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This course is designed around in-person study

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There may be some online learning activities

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Curriculum developed to match workforce priorities

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, students study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week, depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught.

Students can expect to take part in lectures, laboratory classes, workshops, seminars and one-to-one tutorials/supervision. Students are expected to engage in independent study (approximately 25-30 hours per week), which may include engaging with asynchronous learning material on the University’s VLE, tutorial time with staff, using the University’s library, preparing work for assessment, etc. There will also be times when students need to work collaboratively with others.

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in the subject. This may be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.

There will be a broad range of assessment methods so that students are exposed to the different types of task they might encounter in the workplace. Assessment methods may include essays, research reports, reflective reports, presentations and multiple choice examinations. Other assessments such as case studies, portfolios and blogs allow students to demonstrate their competencies in these areas and to develop their skills in writing for both academic and non-academic audiences.

We continuously review the assessment methods used to ensure they adequately prepare students for graduate level employment.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence and key transferable skills to shape you into a world ready Chester graduate.

 

Entry Requirements

120UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

120 points 

GCE A Level 

Typical offer – BBC-BBB

BTEC 

BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM 

International Baccalaureate 

30 points 

Irish / Scottish Highers 

Irish Highers: H3 H3 H3 H3 H3

Scottish Highers: BBBB

Access requirements 

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level 

Merit 

OCR 

OCR Extended Diploma: DDM

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A Level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

A GCSE grade C/4 (or above) in Mathematics and English is required. PLEASE NOTE: We cannot consider GCSE equivalencies but can consider the Edge Hill University GCSE Equivalency Test.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

  • IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
  • Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements

72UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

72 points 

GCE A Level 

 72 points overall, including grade D in A Level

BTEC 

BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP

International Baccalaureate 

24 points 

Irish / Scottish Highers 

Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4,

Scottish Highers: CCDD

Access requirements 

Access to HE Diploma  – Pass overall 

T Level

Pass (D or E on the core)

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: MMP

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A Level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

 

A GCSE grade C/4 (or above) in Mathematics and English is required. PLEASE NOTE: We cannot consider GCSE equivalencies but can consider the Edge Hill University GCSE Equivalency Test.

 

If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree.

Fees and Funding

£9,250per year (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU starting in or after the 2021/22 academic year will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£13,950per year (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £13,950. 

This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.  

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes. 

On this course, there may be opportunities to visit Chester Zoo as part of the Animal Psychology module. The cost of this field trip varies with external factors, but is likely to be approximately £32 (this may change depending on the prices Chester Zoo set for admission). The field trip is optional and students are not required to participate in order to successfully complete the course.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

 

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Clea Wright

Senior Lecturer
Dr Clea Wright

Dr Jeremy Phillips

Senior Lecturer
Dr Jeremy Phillips

Dr Miriam Dyberg-Tengroth

Lecturer
A dark grey silhouette on a light grey background

Dr Amy Roberts

Lecturer
Dr Amy Roberts

Dr Jenny Hardy

Senior Lecturer
Dr Jenny Hardy

Connor Pell

Lecturer
Connor Pell

Kate Miller

Lecturer
Kate Miller

Where you'll study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Exton Park is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student. While it is undoubtedly beautiful and packed with history, Chester is also a bustling 21st-century city balancing big-name shopping, eating and living with a thriving independent scene.

Modern learning resources and library

We have dedicated resources and IT services across campus, as well as our Seaborne Library; home to an extensive selection of books, e-books and e-journals, as well as bookable multimedia rooms, video conferencing space, 24-hour access computer labs, and The Hub; a comfortable two-floor study zone, suitable for independent and group study.

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Student Services

Exton Park is home to a number of our central support services, including Disability and Inclusion, Careers and Employability, and Student Support.

Fitness facilities

Exton Park boasts an impressive choice of indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities, which are used for both competitive and recreational sports. Our facilities include a swimming pool, gym, squash, and tennis courts, running track and two floodlit pitches.

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Built in 1847 by former students, the University Chapel offers regular services and a venue to services. The University of Chester also has multi-faith spaces across the campus for prayer or quiet reflection.

Accommodation

Most of our student accommodation is located either on or near Exton Park.

Catering

We have several catering outlets available onsite, offering a wide selection of hot and cold food to students and visitors. Term-time Meal Schemes are also available for those students interested in non-residential catering schemes.

Your Future Career

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course, and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

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