Forensic and Investigative Psychology BSc (Hons)

UCAS code CMV5

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

If you’re interested in crime and investigation and want to explore how psychology can help us to understand criminal behaviour and justice system processes, this course provides an excellent basis for a career in forensic and investigative psychology related areas.

Throughout your studies you will focus on understanding the human mind and behaviour which will help you to explore why different people act the way they do. Your course-specific forensic and investigative psychology modules will study a range of crimes, their precursors and how these might be reflected in criminal behaviour, and how research can inform the investigative process, responses to victims, as well as procedures within the Criminal Justice System and offender rehabilitation. You will also have the opportunity to study option modules that not only look at specific topic areas within psychology, but also modules focused on crime, investigations and criminal justice from different perspectives (e.g., forensic investigation and criminology) that allow you to personalise your learning journey and give you the freedom to focus on what interests you.

We will prepare you for the world of work through our dedicated modules at every year of study that are focused on your personal development, career, and life planning which ensure that you are well prepared for careers in forensic and investigative psychology and a variety of other areas or for postgraduate study. You’ll also get the chance to complete a work placement as part of your studies, which is your opportunity to get real-world experiences in a professional sector, such as the prison service, victim support, offender community support and more.

Taught from our multi-million-pound Science Centre, our facilities include cognitive research cubicles, an observation room, psychology and IT labs, VR equipment and psychophysiological equipment as well as access to simulation suites at the University. You’ll complete group and individual projects, develop your presentation skills and, in specific modules, use techniques such as real-life case study analysis and statement transcript analysis. What’s more, during the course you will get the opportunity to enrich your learning with digital development opportunities and begin to make networks with like-minded students and inspirational guest lectures.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Forensic and Investigative Psychology

Duration

University of Staffordshire undergraduate courses are usually 3 years for full-time study.

Courses which offer other study options have longer durations:

  • Full-time with a placement year, 4 years
  • Full-time with a foundation year, 4 years
  • Part-time, 4-9 years

Course content

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Entry requirements

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

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Careers

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Fees

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £17,085 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by reading our additional funding web pages, or visiting www.gov.uk.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time 21 September 2026 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

Information from discover uni

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in the UK for Quality Education

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of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

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of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

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