Course summary

Are you ready to delve into the human mind and investigate what motivates offending behaviour? You’ll question whether it’s safe to release violent prisoners early, if sex offenders can ever be rehabilitated and if we can prevent young people from getting involved in crime. More importantly, you’ll form your own opinions by applying psychological theories to criminal behaviour. You’ll cover the core theories and themes in psychology, as well as exploring specialist forensic psychology topics which include theories of crime, risk assessment and treatment of offenders, forensic mental health, self-harm and suicide in prison and offending behaviour programmes. You’ll be taught by practitioners and academics in the field of forensic psychology, who’ll give you personal support throughout your degree. We’re renowned for the quality of our teaching, which draws on our lecturers’ extensive backgrounds in HM Prison Service and other Criminal Justice settings. In your final year, as well as studying Forensic Psychology in more depth and conducting a Research Project in your chosen area, you’ll also get the chance to specialise in your preferred area of Psychology, with a choice of subjects that includes Health, Clinical and Business Psychology. Professional work placements Students have worked alongside psychologists in prisons, secure units, and drug services. Alternatively, they have undertaken placements as teaching assistants, youth workers, with charities, with sports organisations as trainers, in drug rehabilitation centres and in healthcare settings. Graduate opportunities You can explore roles in the Prison Service, Ministry of Justice, the National Offender Management Service and the police. This degree also prepares you for a range of psychology-based careers within the NHS, private practice, charities and education or for postgraduate study in any area of psychology.