Program Overview

Psychology with Forensic Psychology

Course Overview

The BSc in Psychology with Forensic Psychology at Aberystwyth University offers students an opportunity to gain insights into critical areas of this applied area of psychology, including understanding criminal development and behaviour, courtroom behaviour and offender profiling. Professional qualifications require a firm grounding in the background to forensic psychology, and this BPS accredited undergraduate pathway is a building block to later postgraduate study, essential for those considering Forensic Doctorates and Chartered Forensic Psychology status. Careers in forensic psychology represent some of the most interesting and rewarding roles in a range of challenging environments, including prisons, the police service and our courts.

Key Facts

• UCAS Tariff: 120 - 96
• Course duration: 3 years
• Available for: September start 2025

Course Structure

Year 1

• Core
  • Brain, Behaviour and Cognition (PS11220, 20 credits)
  • Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology (PS11820, 20 credits)
  • Designing Psychological Research Projects (PS11610, 10 credits)
  • Introduction to Forensic Psychology (PS10220, 20 credits)
  • Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology (PS11320, 20 credits)
  • Introduction to core topics in Social and Individual Behaviour (PS11420, 20 credits)
  • Personal Development and Organisational Behaviour (PS11710, 10 credits)

Year 2

• Core
  • Cognitive Psychology (PS21820, 20 credits)
  • Forensic Psychology (PS21220, 20 credits)
  • Qualitative Research Methods (PS20310, 10 credits)
  • Quantitative Research Methods (PS21310, 10 credits)
  • Social Psychology (PS20220, 20 credits)
• Options
  • Evolutionary Psychology (PS21020, 20 credits)
  • Health Psychology (PS20720, 20 credits)
  • Issues in Clinical Psychology (PS21720, 20 credits)
  • Psychology in Practice (PS20620, 20 credits)

Year 3

• Core
  • Behavioural Neuroscience (PS32120, 20 credits)
  • Developmental Psychology (PS34320, 20 credits)
  • Drugs and Behaviour (PS30820, 20 credits)
  • Forensic Psychology Dissertation (PS33340, 40 credits)
• Options
  • Child Language: Development and Assessment (PS31820, 20 credits)
  • Psychology Critical Review (PS31520, 20 credits)
  • Psychology in Practice (PS30620, 20 credits)
  • Psychology of Humour (PS32620, 20 credits)
  • The Psychology of Counselling, Coaching and Mentoring (PS31920, 20 credits)
  • The psychology of Ageing: older adults (PS32220, 20 credits)

Careers

The main employer of forensic psychologists is HM Prison Service. However, there are also opportunities in the broader criminal justice field and elsewhere and you may be employed by:

• the Home Office
• the NHS - in special hospitals and rehabilitation units, local forensic services and secure hospitals
• the police
• social services
• universities - in research and lecturing roles

There may also be opportunities for experienced forensic psychologists to work in private consultancy.

Teaching & Learning

Your academic and intellectual development are at the heart of the Aberystwyth Psychology experience. Our staff are committed to a student-focused approach to teaching, making your learning needs a priority in both what we teach and how we teach you. When you join us, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will support you throughout your degree and is there to advise and guide you on a range of academic and personal matters.

From traditional lectures to small group work, we deliver inspirational teaching through a wide variety of different formats. You will also get to apply your knowledge in lab-based workshops and practicals, where you will benefit from our wide range of specialist research equipment and facilities.

Assessment

You will be assessed in a broad variety of ways including traditional exams, essays, wikis, blogs, observations and presentations.

Typical Entry Requirements

• UCAS Tariff: 120 - 96
• A Levels: BBB-CCC
• GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4): English or Welsh and Mathematics
• BTEC National Diploma: DDM-MMM
• International Baccalaureate: 30-26
• European Baccalaureate: 75%-65% overall
• English Language Requirements: See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements

International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.

Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.