BSc (Hons) in Forensic Investigative Psychology
University of Winchester
Key Information
Campus location
Winchester, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 6 years
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 14,700 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* international students
Introduction
- Benefit from dedicated laboratories and computer rooms where you can learn a variety of psychological research methods
- Gain hands-on experience with experiments, issues and research at the forefront of forensic psychology today
- Study in a supportive environment with your own personal tutor, plus one-to-one supervision for your extended project
- Gain a specialist degree in a rapidly growing field
- Benefit from a team of research-active academics and experts who work at the forefront of the field and who use interactive and practical teaching approaches to bring theory and practice to life
- Access to talks delivered by experts in the field, through the University of Winchester’s Forensic Investigative Psychology Research Centre
- Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Are you intrigued by human behaviour and fascinated by the way crimes are investigated and solved? We offer a stimulating programme which gives you all the benefits of a full Psychology degree while allowing you to focus on the rapidly developing and popular field of Forensic and Investigative Psychology.
On this programme, you will build a wide knowledge of psychological theory to help you understand the behaviour of offenders and the psychological aspects of criminal investigations.
Our versatile and innovative programme is one of only a handful of undergraduate courses in the country specialising in Forensic Investigative Psychology. The focus is on giving you a strong understanding of the nature and development of Forensic Investigative Psychology while gaining vital employment-related and academic skills.
Delivered by high-calibre, research-active experts in their fields, it’s an ideal degree if you aspire to work in the courts or the wider criminal justice system.
In Year 1 you complete introductory modules in Psychology, including Introduction to Psychology and Introduction to Psychological Research Methods. Alongside these, you take Psychology in Contemporary Society, Introduction to Psychopathology and Clinical Disorders, and Applied Skills for Learning and Development.
In Year 2, amongst other modules, you will study Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods, Social Psychology, Personality and Individual Differences, Brain and Behaviour, Developmental Psychology, as well as Applied Skills for Research and Practice.
As well as your psychology research project, your final year features compulsory modules in Eyewitness Psychology and Psychology, Crime and the Criminal Justice System. Also in Year 3, you can choose from a wide range of optional modules available for you to explore your special interests. These may include Health Psychology, Psychology in the Workplace and Computational Skills in Psychology.
There is also an option for you to undertake a volunteering module in Year 3, which may involve working in forensic-related settings such as charities supporting families of prisoners or the witness service.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS); those wishing to pursue professional careers in psychology - such as clinical, forensic, educational, or occupational psychology - need to undertake further study and training to gain professional recognition as a Chartered Psychologist. Graduates will be eligible to apply for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) status, which is an entry requirement for many accredited postgraduate training courses in psychology. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1 (Level 4)
- Introduction to Psychological Research Methods 45
- Introduction to Psychology 30
- Psychology in Contemporary Society 15
- Applied Skills for Learning and Development 15
- Introduction to Psychopathology and Clinical Disorders 15
Year 2 (Level 5)
- Developmental Psychology 15
- Applied Skills for Research and Practice 15
- Qualitative Methods in Psychology 15
- Social Psychology 15
- Brain and Behaviour 15
- Quantitative Methods in Psychology 15
- Personality and Individual Differences 15
- Cognition and Behaviour 15
Year 3 (Level 6)
- Final Year Project and Future Directions 30
- Psychology, Crime and the Criminal Justice System 15
- Eyewitness Psychology 15
Optional modules
- Advanced Issues in Developmental Psychology (15 credits)
- Advanced Statistics and Applied Statistics (15 credits)
- Topics in Educational Psychology (15 credits)
- Cognitive Neuroscience (15 credits)
- Conceptual Debates in Psychology (15 credits)
- Media Psychology (15 credits)
- The Psychology of Creativity (15 credits)
- Psychology in the Workplace (15 credits)
- Health Psychology (15 credits)
- Advanced Critical Thinking for Psychologists (15 credits)
- Computational Skills in Psychology (15 credits)
- Embodied Cognition and Contemplative Practice Studies (15 credits)
- Psychology of Consumer Behaviour (Optional)
- Advanced Psychopathology and Clinical Psychology (Optional)
- Behaviour Change (15 credits)
- The Psychology of Music (15 credits)
- Statistical Programming with R (15 credits)
- Traffic and Transportation Psychology (15 credits)
- Volunteering for Psychology (15 credits)
- Psychology Placement - (15 credits)
Career Opportunities
Due to the wide range of skills, and the rigour with which they are taught, training in psychology is widely accepted as providing excellent preparation for many careers. These include (but are not confined to): forensic mental health services (either in the NHS or private sector), probation service, the courts, police service, prison service, security services/agencies, charities, or further education - graduates from this programme are well-suited to postgraduate study in Forensic Psychology.
The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment or further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021, HESA.
Pre-approved for a Master's
If you study for a Bachelor's Honours Degree with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Master's degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Master's degree.