BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Three or Four Years
- Start Date: September 2026
Are you fascinated by criminal behaviour? Do you want to understand what drives people to commit crime? Our BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology course blends psychological theory with real-world offending, victimology, policing and the Criminal Justice System. You'll explore everything from criminal profiling and mental health assessments to the psychology of investigations and courtroom decision-making.
With hands-on learning, state-of-the-art facilities and expert lecturers, this degree prepares you for a career that makes a real difference, whether in law enforcement, rehabilitation, research, or beyond.
Forensic psychology is a dynamic and rewarding career path that sits at the intersection of psychology and the criminal justice system. If you have a keen interest in the psychology of offending, criminal justice, or working within the prison and probation services, this field offers a unique opportunity to apply psychological principles to real-world legal and criminal contexts.
Whether working directly with offenders or victims, supporting law enforcement agencies, conducting psychological assessments, or supporting court proceedings, forensic psychologists play a vital role in shaping safer communities.
This course is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which means that upon successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), a crucial first step for anyone aspiring to become a Chartered Forensic Psychologist in the UK.
GBC status is a formal requirement for entry into most accredited postgraduate and professional training programmes in psychology. It signifies that you have acquired the foundational knowledge and scientific understanding necessary to pursue advanced training in areas such as clinical psychology, counselling psychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, and more.
In addition to opening doors to specialist psychological professions, this accreditation also enhances your credibility in research, consultancy, and applied roles within healthcare, education, business, and the public sector. Whether you plan to work directly with clients or influence policy and practice through research and innovation, the GBC ensures you're on the right professional path.
At BNU, we believe that learning extends beyond the classroom. Our Forensic Psychology degree offers you the opportunity to develop practical, hands-on skills in state-of-the-art facilities, designed to support your growth as a confident and capable student of forensic psychology. Under the guidance of experienced lecturers and industry professionals, you'll engage with real-world tools and technologies that bring psychological theory to life.
Our specialist psychology laboratories are equipped with advanced resources, including virtual reality (VR) technology, an anatomage table, a dedicated counselling room with observation capabilities, tools for analysing group behaviour and reactions, Biopac systems for monitoring and measuring physiological responses, and industry-standard software such as SPSS for data analysis. As well as this, you’ll have access to our mooting court and recreated bedsit space for crime scene simulations.
These facilities allow you to apply your knowledge in practical settings, preparing you for both further study and professional practice.
We understand that your degree and career is exactly that, yours. That’s why we offer you the opportunity to specialise in one of three pathways after your first year, at no extra cost to you. From continuing our BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology course or switching to either our BSc (Hons) Psychology or BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy degree, you’ll have the opportunity to study what aligns with your career goals.
These courses are also all offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme. It is available to you if you didn't meet the entry requirements.
Lectures and seminars are always very informative, interactive and also a good laugh with plenty of open discussion between students and with the lecturers. They are always very supportive of ideas and opinions as well as with our work, through punctual turn arounds on assignments and quick responses through emails.Emily Crawshaw
I cannot fault the quality of teaching, it’s excellent. The lecturers do all they can to support students. They are well experienced, kind, passionate, supportive and always available to help students in any way they can. The lectures and seminars are well prepared and delivered. I am enjoying my course, my time at BNU and the whole learning environment.Homaira Merzai
What will I study?
BNU offers a unique opportunity to explore the psychology of the mind in relation to offending, victimology, policing, and the Criminal Justice System. Through this comprehensive approach, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the psychology of law enforcement, rehabilitation, and recovery processes.
You will develop the skills to analyse the psychological and situational factors that contribute to offending behaviour, understand the experiences and responses of victims, and examine the decision-making processes used within the Criminal Justice System.
In your final year, you will build on the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course by undertaking an independent research project, allowing you to explore a topic of personal interest in depth. The forensic psychology degree not only enables you to specialise in a chosen area but also equips you with a broad range of valuable skills, such as critically evaluating information, analysing data, and presenting findings effectively.
Upon graduation, you will possess a strong set of transferable skills that enhance your employability across a wide variety of career paths, both within forensic psychology and in related sectors. Whether you're interested in teaching, local government, the charity sector, the prison and probation services, or beyond, this course prepares you for success in numerous professional contexts.
Additionally, the course provides the academic foundation required to pursue chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS). You will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is the first step toward becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
This course offers you the skills and framework needed to become a chartered psychologist with the BPS. you’ll be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) and from there you can take steps towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist with the BPS.
If you choose to become chartered with the British Psychological Society (BPS) you can go on to practice psychology as a scientist, analyst, researcher, commentator, advisor or as a clinician.
What facilities can I use?
On our Psychology degree, you will benefit from hands-on learning, using our state-of-the-art facilities.
In our laboratory and computing workshops, you’ll use software and equipment that social scientists use in the field to present research data. You will use industry standard equipment as part of these courses to build your own experience using a range of professionally recognizable equipment.
Gain the skills to use our observation laboratory for the measurement of psycho-physiological responses using eye trackers as well as the activity of the cardiovascular system, brain, autonomic nervous system and more. You’ll use our eye tracking equipment and virtual reality software to test what happens when our local conditions change, and how the brain reacts to those changes.
The facilities at BNU are always here for your use, and we have heavily invested in them with the goal of providing the best space for your own experiments. We want you to use them to push your skills and gain all the experience you feel you need to go on from university and get a job, what you do here is what you could be doing when you start work in psychology.
We’ll also sign you up to our Virtual Learning Environment which means you’ll have access to lots of online resources wherever you are! The VLE is an additional online learning platform that supplements your core degree content.
How will I be taught and assessed?
This is a theoretical and interactive course that offers hands-on practical experience throughout your studies. Our teaching approach incorporates a diverse range of engaging activities, including interactive lectures, seminars, and workshops, where you’ll be encouraged to actively participate and contribute to discussions. We also bring in guest lecturers from the field to help you broaden your knowledge and skills.
Assessment is an integral part of the learning process and is designed not only to evaluate your progress but also to highlight areas for development. We use a variety of assessment methods to support your growth and ensure a well-rounded understanding of the subject. In order to progress through the course, you must successfully pass the required module assessments. These may include:
- Examinations
- Presentations
- Group projects
- Independent research projects
- Laboratory work
- Coursework
This varied approach ensures you build both subject-specific knowledge and essential academic and professional skills.
I have always loved psychology and the further along the course, the more freedom there is. The option to choose modules in the last year also lets me study exactly what I love. The facilities are really great; the library and other course-related facilities are super accessible to students.Emma Fraser-Mills
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 104 - 128 (Full-Time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.
For this course, you'll need at least two A-levels and a GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Students studying this course will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check due to the placement modules within these courses. A flag on a DBS check does not mean a student will not be able to study on the programme but it may limit the type of placement available.
Those with no previous study, work experience, or who do not meet the specified entry requirements, including demonstrating the necessary knowledge and understanding, are welcome to apply for the 3-year BSc (Hons) degree, however may be offered the four-year programme which includes a Foundation Year.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
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Home Foundation Year, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £9,790 *
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Home, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £9,790 per year *
International
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Overseas/International Foundation Year, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £15,910 *
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Overseas/International, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £15,910 per year *
Please note all of the 2026/27 fees stated are subject to parliamentary procedure. Tuition fees are expected to increase each academic year in line with the maximum permitted value set by the Government for that academic year. The expected rise for Home undergraduate students (including those on a foundation year course), may impact both new and continuing students.
Additional costs
Your tuition fees cover most course costs, but you may need to budget for additional expenses. These can include specialist equipment, project materials, professional memberships, field trips or placements, as well as everyday student costs like printing, books and stationery.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our enquiries team by completing this form.
What are my career prospects?
With such a strong academic grounding, as well as the transferrable skills you’ll develop along the way, you are well-placed to succeed wherever you go. There are many options to explore with your forensic psychology degree, including a career in health, education, local government, or the private and public sector, you could consider careers in the Civil Service, Her Majesty's Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS), local authorities and the NHS.
Many of our graduates go on to study a postgraduate degree in a more focused area. Graduates can choose to continue their studies at BNU and study a postgraduate course, such as our MSc Applied Forensic Psychology or even the PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
There are numerous opportunities which your degree could help to open. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in psychology, clinical psychology, forensic psychology, therapy, nursing, and private and public businesses.
The course seemed very open and I knew it would keep my options open to then specialize later rather than specializing early and therefore restricting my options later in my career.Piers Bowden
Course leader
