Program Overview

Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons)

Overview

Forensic psychology, often referred to as criminal psychology, is the application of psychology to the legal and criminal justice systems. Our course gives you a solid foundation in mainstream psychology, specialized knowledge in forensic psychology theory, research, and practice, critical thinking skills, and the chance to learn how to apply evidence in professional practice and research.

Course Options

• Start date: September 2025
• Degree: UCAS code: C UCAS points
• Entry Requirements:
  • Academic requirements: 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification listed on the UCAS tariff calculator, including A Levels, BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma, Access to HE Diploma, T Levels, and International Baccalaureate.
  • International qualifications: We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, and BTEC qualifications.
  • English Language requirements: IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing and Speaking; 5.5 in Listening and Reading (or recognized equivalent).
  • Mature applicants and those without formal qualifications: We welcome applications from those who can demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to study and have the relevant life/work experience that equips them to succeed on the course.

Fees, Funding, and Additional Costs

• Fees:
  • UK/Home students: £9,535 per year
  • International students: £15,560 per year
• Funding:
  • UK fee status holders: Government funding, UEL funding, and external funding.
  • International fee status holders: UEL scholarships and ways to pay.
• Additional costs:
  • Textbooks
  • Computer equipment
  • Printing
  • Travel

What Makes This Course Different

• Our world-leading research: 92% of research is world-leading, internationally excellent, or internationally recognized (REF, 2021).
• Access to excellent facilities: Get involved with cutting-edge technology - Virtual Reality in our Technology-enhanced Multipurpose Psychology Lab (TEMPL), eye-tracking or EEG in the cognitive neuroscience laboratory.
• 3rd in London: Our Psychology courses rank 3rd in London in the Guardian University Guide 2025.

Accreditation

• Accredited by the British Psychological Society: This accreditation is a mark of quality that students and employers understand and value. Studying a BPS-accredited course will allow you to gain graduate or chartered membership of the Society, which is useful for your psychology career.

Course Modules

• Foundation Year:
  • Personal Development (Mental Wealth)
  • Psychology in the Everyday
  • Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
  • Key Studies in Psychology
  • Introduction to Counselling Skills
  • Introduction to Academic Practice
• Year 1:
  • Thinking Like a Psychologist (Mental Wealth)
  • Introduction to Biological and Social and Individual Differences
  • Introduction to Cognitive and Developmental Psychology
  • Psychology in Applied Contexts
  • Researching with Small Samples
  • Researching with Larger Samples
• Year 2:
  • Individual Differences and Applications
  • Psychological Research Methods
  • Topics in Cognitive and Developmental Psychology
  • Applications of Psychobiology and Social Psychology
  • Work-Based Learning in Psychology (Mental Wealth)
  • Research Skills in Cognitive Neuroscience (optional)
  • Introduction to Forensic Psychology (optional)
  • Psychology, Identity and Society (optional)
  • Difficulties and Differences across Development (optional)
  • Clinical and Community Psychology (optional)
  • Introduction to Positive Psychology Coaching (optional)
  • Psychology and the Environment (optional)
  • Topics in Cyberpsychology (optional)
  • The Psychology of Mental Health - Difficulties in Adulthood (optional)
  • Applying Psychology in Organisations (optional)
• Year 3:
  • Forensic Psychology Research Project
  • Advanced Forensic Psychology
  • Addiction (optional)
  • Health Psychology (optional)
  • Advanced Developmental Psychology (optional)
  • Psychology of Choice (optional)
  • Psychology of Belief (optional)
  • Psychology of Emotion (optional)
  • Occupational Psychology (optional)
  • Applied Cyberpsychology (optional)
  • Applied Evolutionary Psychology - Cognition, Culture, and Behaviour Change (optional)

Your Future Career

• Industry links: We have links with NHS Trusts across the North Thames region, MIND, Terrence Higgins Trust, Centrepoint, Women's Aid, National Autistic Society, Young Gamblers and Gamers Education Trust (YGAM).
• Graduate employers: The largest single employer of UK-based forensic psychologists is the HM Prison and Probation Service. You could also work for the NHS, Home Office, or other government departments.
• Job roles: Roles you could go into include forensic psychologist, probation officer, mental health nurse, researcher, high-intensity therapist, recovery support worker.
• Further study: You could study clinical or counseling psychology at the postgraduate level. If you want to become a licensed forensic psychologist, you will need a Master's degree approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), a minimum of three years of evidence-supervised practice, and an HCPC-accredited doctoral program.

How We Support Your Career Ambitions

• Career Zone: This digital platform provides you with careers and employability resources, including jobs board, mentoring programs, 1-2-1 career coaching services, careers workshops, and employer events.
• Mental Wealth program: Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth program issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you've mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

How You'll Learn

• Guided independent study: Our innovative Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) approach enhances face-to-face learning by providing students with scheduled on-campus contact hours and additional learning opportunities.
• Academic support: Students are supported with academic or subject-related queries by a program director, module leaders, academic advisers, and university central support services.
• Dedicated personal tutor: If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths, or statistics, academic tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions, and one-to-one appointments to help you achieve your potential.

Campus and Facilities

• Stratford Campus, London, E15 4LZ: Our historic Stratford campus is located in one of the best-connected areas of London: close to Stratford's thriving town center, the 2012 Olympic Park, just 15 minutes from London's West End, and 20 minutes from Canary Wharf.

Who Teaches This Course

• School of Childhood and Social Care: The psychology teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners, and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

Official Student Data from Discover Uni

• Statistics for BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology Degree, full-time:
  • 55% say staff value students' views and opinions about the course.
  • 70% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
  • 78% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

What Our Students and Staff Say

• Simina Simon: "The course I'm studying covers a wide range of topics in forensic psychology, giving me a good understanding of the topic. The lecturers are very knowledgeable and supportive, and encourage students' personal development."
• Aime Leahy: "During my third year, I would have been lost without the support and guidance of my project supervisor. He was incredibly helpful as I worked on my final year project."