Police do not cross tape

Available with:

  • Foundation Year

Accreditations


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 provide 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 careers in investigation and rehabilitation inside and out of the criminal justice system.

Why You'll Love It

BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology

BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology

What You'll Study

The Professional Studies Foundation Year route is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you will need to be successful at university and whilst on a professional and vocational course.

You will study a range of topics relating to your profession and the environment in which you will eventually work.  Areas of focus include person-centred care, mental health, children’s development, communication in a professional setting, social inequality, and how to apply psychology in the real world. 

Teaching and learning is tailored and designed with specific modules that relate to the profession you are preparing to join. You will also be introduced to the professional codes and standards that you must uphold such as, the Nursing and Midwifery Code, Social Work England, College of Policing, British Psychological Society and national Safeguarding guidance.

  • Term 1: Psychology and Behavioural Science
  • Term 2: Social Issues and Contexts
  • Term 3: Fundamentals of Psychological Research

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.

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

Modules

Understanding the process of acquiring new knowledge is fundamental to psychology, especially when we want to investigate human and non-human behaviour. This module will introduce you to the core skills that are essential for scientifically addressing questions relating to areas of psychology through various research methods and processes. You will learn about and study different areas of research such as study design, ethical issues, quantitative and qualitative analyses and interpretation of data. 

This module introduces aspects of individual differences and social psychology from the British Psychological Society to allow students to understand some of the possible reasons for differences in human behaviour across different situations. As such it compliments the research module that runs alongside it in explaining some of the results found, and what needs to be taken into consideration when designing research and trying to explain behaviour. There are also a range of core skills delivered in this module to enable their success across the course.

This module introduces psychological wellbeing by exploring the interconnectedness of physical and psychological health. We'll focus on Psychopathology to examine the causes and vulnerabilities for mental illness, alongside Health psychology to see how habits and coping mechanisms impact physical health. Using various models and drawing on scientific research, we'll also analyse the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in shaping wellbeing, as well as barriers and facilitators of behaviour change.

The module introduces key psychological theories and approaches which have informed our understanding of crime and criminality. We also focus on specific crimes from a psychological perspective, and other aspects of criminality. Throughout the module, we will be considering the applications of forensic psychology in real world settings

This core module is an introduction to the BPS / QAA curriculum for biological psychology, developmental psychology, and cognitive psychology. For example, in biological psychology students will explore the biological bases of human and non-human behaviour, brain structure and function, comparative and evolutionary psychology. In cognitive psychology students will explore perception, attention, memory, learning, and language. Finally, in developmental psychology, students will explore prenatal, attachment, culture, language (acquisition), risk and resilience.

This module gives students the opportunity to learn about how psychology has been used to make a difference in the real world. It will examine a broad range of psychology topics, using a range of theories and empirical research in applied psychology. It considers the knowledge and principles applied to a range of real life contexts, exploring how applied psychology is used in a range of professional practices and domains. This module will allow students to explore a range of various areas and its underpinnings in research. Topics may vary each year, and the above should only be used as an indication of topics taught. This module provides you with a structured opportunity for professional development. Alongside taught lectures this module enables you to engage with content through interactive workshops which enhances personal professional development and skills.

Chinese: Intermediate Language Development (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students who have completed GCSE in Chinese or equivalent. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

French: Communication in Practice (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students that have completed A-Level or equivalent in French. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop your oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

French: Intermediate Language Development (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students who have completed GCSE or equivalent in French. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

German: Communication in Practice (20 Credits) Option

This module enables students with A-Level German or equivalent to further develop their grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop your oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

Spanish: Communication in Practice (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students that have completed a A-Level or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

Spanish: Intermediate Language Development (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students that have completed GCSE or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

Subsidiary Language for Beginners (20 Credits) Option

This module provides the opportunity to study a new language from scratch and introduces you to basic grammar, vocabulary and cultural contexts. You will apply the language to practical situations using both oral and written skills. 

 

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.

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

Modules

This module is designed to address the professional, ethical, and reflective issues central to work in forensic settings. Pre-designed projects employ key methodological approaches commonly used in forensic psychology research. The project work provides an immersive experience in conducting research within a specific area of forensic study. Topics covered include project planning, proposal writing, ethics, data handling and protection, safeguarding, and working in forensic settings. A tutor will lead students in small-group project work while providing relevant learning resources.

This Research Methods module will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the principles of research in psychology in alignment with the British Psychological Society (BPS) standards.  The module focuses on helping students develop and enhance their research techniques developed in level 4, continuing to develop a critical understanding of diverse research methods, enabling you to select the right approach/es for different psychological research questions. 

From designing experiments to working with or designing psychometric tests, you’ll learn how to generate hypotheses, collect data, and apply statistical tests with confidence.  Additionally, you’ll also learn how to present research findings effectively in written BPS reports through to visual formats. The module emphasises the application of research methods to psychological issues, equipping students to design meaningful studies and evaluate data.

This module builds on the first year PS4024 module to cover the remaining aspects of the British Psychological Society's Social Psychology and Individual Differences curriculum, with a focus on the real world implications of what students have learnt. We will explore a range of issues in society around issues such as power, politics and community that help us understand why people act as they do and how society can influence this. Students will choose to explore one of these issues in depth for their assessment.

In this module you will be exploring the ways in which psychology is used  in the support of criminal investigations and the wider criminal justice system. The ways in which the police carry out their investigations is explored and key areas of offender and geographical profiling are covered in depth, leading to a focus on investigative psychology. You also use case materials in order to develop your own offender profile with full training on this process given.

This module has two distinct themes. Theme one is to develop awareness and skills in understanding the psychology behind job searching, job applications, writing a persuasive CV, performing appropriately at interview and using social media to search for, and apply for jobs. Theme two helps students to apply psychology in real life situations in a discipline of interest chosen by the student. Students will work in groups and use psychological theory to solve specific problems either provided by partners within the community, working with partners in the community or provided in-house by staff. This is an experiential learning module where more than half of the content is delivered using practical exercises. Students will have an opportunity to take a self-directed approach to building essential skills.

Choose one of the following:

  1. Professional Placement (40 Credits) Optional
  2. Term abroad (40 Credits) Optional
  3. One of the following Language options

Advanced Language Development and Global Sustainability (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at advanced level. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a sustainability issue in a target language country. The first half of the module will prepare you for placements abroad where appropriate as well as a deeper understanding of sustainability in target language contexts. 

Developing Intercultural Literacy and Cross-Cultural Skills (40 Credits) Optional

  • The multiple facets of global citizenship
  • Ethical engagement and practice
  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Intercultural communication
  • Culture shock
  • Cultural adjustment
  • Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess-with a strong focus on understanding the intercultural competencies (ICC) needed to live and work abroad.
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of individual requirements in relation to culture/cultural adjustment/culture shock/visas/medical.
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired in relation to key skills related to ICC.
  • Devising strategies to improve one’s own prospects of working abroad in the future.
  • Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

Experiential Overseas Learning (40 Credits) Optional

Preparation for Experiential Overseas Learning will take place at the University of Chester during level 5 and will include:  

  • The multiple facets of Global citizenship
  • Ethical engagement and practice
  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Intercultural communication
  • Theories, models and strategies of learning

Theories and models Intercultural competence

  • Theories and models of Integration and Multiculturalism
  • Critical thinking skills and models of Reflection
  • Experiential learning models
  • Self-directed experiential learning

Personal and placement-related skills

  • Enhanced independence
  • Improved command of multicultural behaviour
  • Increased knowledge and confidence in their individual facets of personal identity
  • Effective time management and organisational skills
  • Project management – working away from University and independent study
  • Self-management and personal development
  • Team building and team work

Part B: Overseas

Students will engage in experiential learning activities overseas for at least 150 hours 

Post Beginner Language Development and Global Cultures (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at beginner level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a cultural issue in a target language country. 

Upper Intermediate Language Development and Global Employability (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at intermediate level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes an placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a business or tourism issue in a target language country. 

Or you can choose ONE of the following:

  • University Placement Year Optional
  • Subject Placement Year Optional
  • International University Placement Year Optional

 

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.

At Level 6, you will have the opportunity to complete a large-scale dissertation in forensic psychology where you 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. You will continue developing in-depth knowledge in areas of forensic psychology, and you will also be able to learn about other specific areas in psychology, such as psychopathology.

Modules

This module focuses on specialist areas of research and practice within forensic psychology and the criminal justice system. Drawing on expert speakers, it explores how forensic psychology is applied across various stages of the UK criminal justice system. For example, this module covers topics such as theoretical frameworks for working with offenders, trauma-informed approaches, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programmes, risk assessment, interventions for homicide and violence, and the treatment of sex offenders. Expert speakers, who may vary each year, have previously included forensic mental health practitioners, former detectives, and representatives of charities who support victims and offender rehabilitation.

Psychopathology aims to promote students understanding of psychological disorder, how it develops and is maintained, and to help you to think about how, as psychologists, we might best intervene to promote psychological wellbeing.  This module explores research, practice, and service user perspectives on psychopathology throughout the lifespan, providing students with a robust understanding of current thinking and approaches in the field of clinical and counselling psychology.

This module further develops your knowledge and understanding of three important core areas of the British Psychological Society (BPS) curriculum. In Biological Psychology, we will cover biologically-based explanations of behaviour. In Cognitive Psychology we examine mental processes. In Developmental Psychology, we study how people change across the lifespan. Across all topics, we explore how the topics that we cover can be applied to wider world issues. 

Students design and carry out a piece of empirical research, with the support of a named supervisor. This offers an opportunity to apply psychological theories and methods covered in the first two years of their degree to an area of forensic psychology. Students plan their project, apply for ethical approval, undertake data analysis, and prepare a final report.

In Neuropsychology we will cover a wide range of topics exploring various, exciting new insights into how we study the brain. You will learn about the applications of neuropsychology in real - world settings and critically examine brain - based explanations of behaviour. If you are interested in working in this area, advice and guidance about career pathways in the area of neuropsychology will be provided too. 

This module will focus on human behaviour related to organisations, work and productivity from a practical perspective. Topics covered will support students in exploring a breadth of knowledge within Organisational Psychology set out by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Topics may include job analysis, recruitment and selection, employee motivation and development, ergonomics, occupational stress, leadership and teams, and organisational culture. This module also gives students the opportunity to apply knowledge gained through group work, case studies, authentic assessments and engaging with external organisations.

Psychology isn't just about studying the mind and behaviour of humans but of other animals too. In Animal Psychology, we look at cutting-edge research in exciting areas including cognition, communication, self-recognition, personality and social behaviour. You will learn about the causal, developmental, functional and evolutionary perspectives of behaviour as well as the methods used in comparative psychology, and will gain first-hand experience of observation methods during a field trip.

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

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 eight and twelve hours per week, depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught.

If studied, the Foundation Year, as with the following years of study, will be taught in three 10-week blocks across an academic year. Each block will comprise of a large 40-credit subject-specific module that includes a breadth of topics and subject skills. You will have on average 12-14 hours of contact time per week during the Foundation Year. There may be variations to this where subject practical or specialist space teaching is included.

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 subject experts and 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

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

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

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU 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.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

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. 

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.

 

 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Clea Wright

Senior Lecturer
Dr Clea Wright

Dr Jeremy Phillips

Senior Lecturer
Dr Jeremy Phillips

Dr Hayley Cooper

Senior Lecturer
Dr Hayley Cooper

Dr Lindsay Murray

Associate Professor
Dr Lindsay Murray

Kate Miller

Lecturer
Kate Miller

Where You'll Study Exton Park, Chester

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Once you have completed this course you can achieve the Graduate Basis for Chartership for the British Psychological Society, allowing you to continue on your path to becoming a professional psychologist. Many of our graduates go on to postgraduate studies in Psychology (e.g. Forensic Psychology, Investigative and Forensic Psychology) or have secured graduate or associated roles in areas such as policing, probation, prisons, and criminal justice agencies. You will be well-prepared for a rewarding career in law enforcement, investigations, rehabilitation, crime prevention, research and many other areas related to the criminal justice system. Due to their sought after transferable skills (such as communication, team working, analysis, creative and critical thinking), our graduates also go on to many other areas such as marketing and project management.

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability, 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.

Enquire about a course