Chat With Us
Explore how psychological knowledge informs criminal investigations and forensic practice, and help to understand offending behaviour on this BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology degree, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
While a psychology degree covers the mind and behaviour in a wider sense, studying forensic psychology means focusing on the way people think, act and feel in relation to crime and legal issues.
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to join this course after you successfully complete a foundation year.
Forensic psychology is the study of the mind as it relates to legal issues, investigations and criminal behaviour. It includes everything from the moment a crime is committed (before an arrest) through to a criminal investigation and the following legal proceedings, to the monitoring, rehabilitation and release of an offender back into the community.
On this BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology, you'll gain hands-on experience conducting research on forensic topics with developments at the forefront of psychological science. You’ll explore the patterns and behaviours of offenders and victims, build skills in gathering and analysing forensic data, and learn how to present your findings.
When you complete the course with a 2:2 or higher, you'll be eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS), which is an essential first step to becoming a Chartered Forensic Psychologist. To become Chartered, you'll also need to do further academic training for up to 5 years, including an MSc Forensic Psychology.
As a Chartered Forensic Psychologist, you'll be ready for a career in HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), within the NHS (such as in rehabilitation units and secure hospitals), or within social services, including the police service, young offenders units and the probation service.
Many graduates go on to do an MSc in Forensic Psychology after the course. You could also start a career in areas such as:
Roles our previous graduates have gone on to include:
They've taken roles in the following organisations:
Many graduates go on to do an MSc in Forensic Psychology after the course. You could also start a career in areas such as:
Roles our previous graduates have gone on to include:
They've taken roles in the following organisations:
As a trainee forensic psychologist within HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), you could expect a starting salary of between £27,021 and £34,461.
Once you qualify as a Chartered Forensic Psychologist, you could earn from £37,218 and £46,846 and up to £53,952 as a senior Chartered Forensic Psychologist.
Working for the NHS in 2021, you would start as a trainee forensic psychologist on £32,306 to £39,027 (Band 6). With a role as a Chartered Forensic Psychologist, your salary could reach up to £45,839 (Band 7) or more with further experience.
After you graduate, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability Service as you advance in your career.
In my first year we visited the courts of law and sat in the public gallery to watch a court case. In our course you have the chance to participate in studies and I think this is valuable experience to get an idea of what it would be like to conduct and administer your own research study.
Rianna Javier, BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology
After your second or third year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the field. A placement year gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you stand out to employers after the course.
You can work for a company or organisation here in the UK or overseas, or you could go independent by setting up and running your own business with other students.
Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of Science and Health Careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills. They'll provide you with a database of placement vacancies, support with your job search – including help with applications and interviews – and support throughout your placement year.
Previous students have completed work placements in medium secure units, youth offending teams and prisons, including:
Other students have taken placement roles in organisations including:
Previous students have completed work placements in medium secure units, youth offending teams and prisons, including:
Other students have taken placement roles in organisations including:
You’ll also have the chance to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe or Asia, which is a fantastic opportunity to explore a new destination and experience the world as an international student.
Many of our students describe their time spent studying overseas as truly life-changing, as well as an excellent way to stand out to future employers.
Dr Lucy Akehurst talks about the exciting facilities available to current and future students.
Dr Lucy Akehurst: When our first year undergraduate students arrive at the Department of Psychology, I think they feel part of the community straight away.
We pride ourselves on our tutorial system at the University of Portsmouth. Staff are working with students from the word go.
We have a number of laboratory facilities and each of them house specialist equipment. We've got a baby and infant lab. We have a suite of labs, there's observation facilities, one way mirrors and recording equipment. We also have a Psychophysiology lab which has an EEG machine and eye tracking. We also have a motion capture laboratory. We have special cameras that pick up the sensors that the students have placed on their participants just to see how the human body moves when we perform particular actions.
The nice thing about coming to Portsmouth is that undergraduate students from the word go have access to those facilities.
Please note that videos may not be representative of our current teaching staff and their roles.
Tuition Fee
GBP 18,600Application Fee
GBPUnited Kingdom,
Portsmouth
University of Wolverhampton
United Kingdom,WolverhamptonUniversity of Wolverhampton
United Kingdom,WolverhamptonUniversity of Wolverhampton
United Kingdom,Wolverhampton
Universities In Australia 
Universities In Canada 
Universities In Germany 
Universities In Ireland 
Universities In Jordan 
Universities In New Zealand 
Universities In Saudi Arabia 
Universities In United States Of America 
