Studying Forensic and Criminological Psychology

Yes, it's BPS accredited, which is the gold standard for psychology courses in the UK. This means the course meets the high-quality standards set by the BPS. It also provides you with the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership which is an essential first step towards becoming a professional psychologist.

There’s no requirement to complete any psychology-specific preparation before starting your degree, so that’s one less thing to worry about. Whether you’ve studied psychology before or you’re completely new to the subject, our first-year modules are designed to bring everyone up to speed. You’ll build a strong foundation in key areas of psychology, setting you up for success right from the start.

Welcome week is all about helping you settle in and feel at home. You’ll take part in a variety of fun and interactive activities designed to help you get to know the campus, the buildings you’ll be studying in, and most importantly, your new course mates.

You’ll be assigned an academic mentor (a member of staff in the psychology department) and spend most of the week with your academic mentor group, giving you a great chance to connect with fellow psychology students right from day one. It’s also a great opportunity to meet the friendly staff who will be teaching and supporting you throughout your degree. Your academic mentor will share the full schedule and details closer to the time

A typical week will be a mixture of lectures, seminars, practical sessions, and independent study. You can expect around 10-13 hours of scheduled teaching each week, with sessions spread across core areas such as cognitive, social, developmental, biological, and individual differences psychology, as well as research methods and core forensic and criminological psychology modules. Much of your learning will be in smaller seminar groups where you’ll discuss ideas, apply theory to real-world, contemporary examples, and develop critical thinking skills.

Outside of scheduled teaching time, you’ll have time for reading, working on assignments, meeting with peers or your academic mentor, and taking advantage of what the university’s has to offer, such as joining societies, attending guest lectures, or relaxing with your friends in one of our cafés.

In your first year, you'll explore a variety of core modules that introduce key psychological perspectives, including social, developmental, and cognitive psychology. You'll study exciting modules such as Adventures in Psychology 1 & 2, Becoming a Researcher 1 & 2, Growing and Changing, Pathways in Forensic and Criminological Psychology, and Steps to Success 1. Want to learn more about each module? Visit the course page now

Before you start your course, you will be able to download our Beacon App which will allow you to stay connected and get personalised updates, access your timetable, and explore everything University of Staffordshire has to offer.

There’s a whole world of opportunities beyond your core psychology modules. To mention a few. As part of the Psychology department, you can apply for the Summer Research Assistant Scheme, where you’ll support academic staff on exciting, contemporary research projects. Or you might join the Psychology Society, a vibrant, inclusive student community where everyone is welcome, and is perfect for meeting like-minded peers and expanding your horizons. We also host regular Visiting Speaker Talks to keep you up to date with the latest trends and discoveries in psychology.

Want to build skills and earn while you learn? You can become a Student Ambassador, gaining valuable work experience, meeting new people, and boosting your CV. And it doesn't stop there: the Students' Union is home to a huge range of clubs and societies covering everything from academic interests to creative hobbies. Getting involved is a brilliant way to make friends, try something new, and truly make the most of your time at University of Staffordshire.

A wide range of support is available for students with specific learning needs or mental health concerns. The Student Inclusion Team can help with learning assessments, support plans, and guidance on applying for Disabled Students’ Allowances.

For mental health support, the Student Wellbeing service offers access to trained professionals who provide a range of supports. The university also has peer mentors and wellbeing peer mentors to offer friendly, student-led support throughout your time here. Whether you need academic adjustments or emotional support, there’s always help available.

Yes! If you have any questions, you can contact your course leader via the profile link in the section below.

Studying Forensic and Criminological Psychology can lead to a wide range of jobs, from specialising in a forensic setting to being a family support worker, youth worker or a research assistant. This degree opens up the possibilities of continuing your training to work in a specialist field within Psychology or continue on to postgraduate studies.

You will be supported to pursue whatever path you choose, whether that's employment or post-graduate study. At the University of Staffordshire we offer the MSc Health Psychology, Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology and PgDip/MSc Psychotherapeutic Counselling and we also provide professional courses such as the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) Apprenticeship and the PgDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), all of which we can support your transition into.

After completing their undergraduate degree, students have also gone on to study on a wide range of post-graduate courses at the University of Staffordshire including:

• MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice
• MSc Forensic Science
• MSc Applied Research
• MSc Digital Forensic Investigation
• PhDs in Psychology and also in Criminology

As well as many more occupational focused courses such as Teacher Training (PGCE)

And also at other institutions, including:

• MSc Forensic Psychology
• MSc Forensic and Investigative Psychology
• MA Intelligence and Security Studies

Whatever you choose to do next, our Career Connect team are here to support you on your chosen career path from the moment you start at University of Staffordshire, with access to a one-to-one success coach who will help you to plan your career journey and identify and provide opportunities to help you.