BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic Investigation

Core units

• Academic and Professional Study Skills: You will gain the fundamental academic and research skills required for degree level study. The unit will introduce you to a broad grounding in literature searching, literature review, data collection, methodological approach, data analysis and interpretation and ethical practice. It will also support you to begin to develop a critical and analytical approach to your work and identify areas for personal development. 
• Applied Sciences: You'll gain a basic understanding of some fundamental aspects of science underpinning more specific disciplines, and an appreciation of how various scientific disciplines impact human life. You'll understand the differences between pure and applied science, as well as the roles of different ways applied science can be funded, and implications of these funding mechanisms. 
• Introduction to Biology: Biology is the study of life and hence knowledge of plant and animal cell biology is fundamental to understanding wider concepts in biology. This unit also introduces key themes in human, environmental and ecological sciences to provide a sound underpinning in knowledge for future studies. 
• Introduction to Psychology: This unit is designed to prepare you for advanced coursework in psychology. You will complete the unit with a good understanding of the various areas of psychology and how they seek to explain behaviour. 
• Mathematics in Science: You will build your confidence in mathematics, in order to perform calculations on a range of scientific data from biology, chemistry and psychology and to be able to represent the findings in an appropriate format, including graphs. In order to carry this out it is essential to be able to convert the data between systems of units and to understand how to present very large and very small numbers in standard form. Basic statistical analysis of tabulated data will be carried out to introduce the concept of confidence limits and familiarisation of statistical testing. 
• Foundation Year Project: You will carry out a research task on scientific topics chosen by the unit leader which you will be able to conduct a scientific investigation on. You will devise your own investigation and produce a literature review as a final scientific report. 

Core units

• Experimental Methods & Statistical Analysis: This unit will introduce you to the planning, designing and conducting of experiments and research studies as well as the analysis and effective communication of experimental and research study findings.
• Qualitative Research Methods: The unit will continue to develop your ability to plan, design and conduct experiments and research studies as well as the analysis and effective communication of experimental and research study findings.
• Biological & Cognitive Psychology: Examines the relationship between the biology of the brain and how we process information, think and make decisions.
• Social Psychology & Individual Differences: Discover the ways in which human behaviour is affected by the social context in which it occurs and how behaviour differs between individuals.
• Developmental & Clinical Psychology: Explores developmental change cross the life-span through theory, research and practice. You’ll gain an understanding of the concepts and principles of clinical psychology in this unit.
• Introduction to Forensic Investigation: This unit will provide you with a deeper appreciation of the legal aspects, command structure and operational procedures of UK forensic investigations and provide a deeper insight into a range of forensic sciences available. It will provide you with the theoretical understanding to enhance practical experience in the recovery of physical evidence.

Core units

• Statistics & Research Methods: Further developing experimental and non-experimental research skills, statistical analysis, interpretation and reporting of research findings.
• Research Methods & Analysis: Continuing from Statistics & Research Methods, this is the final Research Methods unit before the final year project.
• Developmental & Applied Forensic Investigation: This unit will further your knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles of developmental psychology, and how such psychological knowledge and theories can be applied in forensic investigation contexts. 
• Personality, Intelligence & Social Psychology: Explores the measurement of differences in personality and intelligence, identity and self-perception, attitudes, social cognition, and group processes.
• Biological Psychology: The study of the neural correlates of various core brain functions and impairment associated with brain damages. This unit will develop your analytical thinking, synthetic thinking and your ability to search for, recognise and critically evaluate information.
• Cognition & Language: Examines the psychology of attention, memory, and problem-solving. Also explores the effects of brain damage (e.g. aphasia, spatial neglect).

You may choose to complete an optional 4-week work placement between your second and final year or an optional 30-week minimum work placement which can be carried out anywhere in the world. Placements offer a chance to gain experience and make contacts for the future.

Core units

• Psychology Project: You will have the opportunity to conduct your own research allowing you to explore in depth an area in psychology by working one-to-one with a member of academic staff to develop a research idea, design your own experiment, gather data, analyse it, and finally bring it all together with a written scientific report of your work. The research areas will draw from staff expertise which touch upon a wide range of fascinating topics and methodologies using departmental resources, including experimental labs, observational suits, eye-tracking, electroencephalography (EEG), Transcranial Electric Stimulation (TES), and Virtual Reality lab. If required, you will receive individual support and training on this equipment. In addition, we offer the possibility to gain invaluable experience conducting applied research with some of our external collaborators, including the NHS and Dorset Police, on projects with ‘real-world’ application.
• Forensic Psychology: This unit will demonstrate the way in which psychological research underpins the understanding of forensic psychology and professional practice within the criminal justice system. As well as providing a critical understanding of the psychological processes, you will explore key theories and apply them to real-world settings.
• Forensic Law and Practice: This unit gives an insight into the criminal justice system and engages with central issues. You will learn about criminal procedures, including comprehensive coverage of the entire criminal process from police investigation through the trial process to appeals and rectifications of miscarriages of justice. 

Option units (choose two):.

• Neuroimaging: Acquire in-depth technical knowledge and understanding of various neuroimaging and neuroscientific techniques, including practice. 
• Forensic Applications for Face Processing: Examines the psychological processing involved in face recognition within a forensic psychology context.
• Applied Clinical Psychology: Using current research and clinical experience, the emphasis will be on exploring therapeutic practice, investigating NHS, local authority and third-sector service provision, and understanding the role of service users and carers in recovery from mental illness.  
• Mind Over Matter in Medicine: This module will teach you an understanding of key issues in placebo, nocebo, hypnosis, suggestibility and clinical communication research.  This includes learning about the experimental, medical and neuroscience techniques used as well as the theoretical constructs that seek to explain suggestibility.
• Health Psychology: This unit will provide you with an understanding of the role of psychology in promoting health and well-being, and the impact of this as we grow older.
• Well-Being and Resilience in Schools: You will learn to critically discuss the key theories and research in positive psychology, and its applications in education. You'll be introduced to a range of topics concerning positive psychology, wellbeing and resilience within the educational context. Additionally, we will provide an overview of several strategies/techniques/interventions used in schools to promote wellbeing and resilience among children and young people.
• Inclusion and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Explore a spectrum of topics encompassing diversity, labeling, inclusive education, and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
• Cultural Psychology: This unit focuses on human behaviour and neural correlates of human mind across cultures, and the underlying theories. The cross-cultural difference of psychological phenomena will be highlighted in the context of a globalised, multiple-culture world.
• Current Trends in Cognitive & Clinical Neuroscience: You will acquire comprehensive knowledge about the current trends in clinical and cognitive neuroscience as well as neuropsychological research and practice and related methodologies in order to be able to critically evaluate models and evidence in the research field.
• Psychology of Social Media & Videogames: You will critically examine, evaluate and understand the impact of social media and videogames on individuals, groups, organisations and society, using psychological theories and methods.
• Cybersecurity and Cyberwarfare: In this unit you will study and understand the psychological factors that determine how individuals engage with cybersecurity, either as targets, perpetrators, designers or practitioners.
• Counselling Psychology: Using current research and practical experience, you’ll acquire an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles relating to real-world applications of counselling psychology.
• Emotions, Mental Health & Affective Neuroscience: This unit will explore the role of emotions in various mental illnesses and the link between emotions and cognition.

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

With practical learning being integral to your degree, we provide industry standard specialist facilities. We continue to invest in our campuses so all our students can maximise their talents today and into the future. Visit our virtual tour to find out more and get a feel for where you’ll be studying while you’re based on our Talbot Campus.

A placement should be a highly rewarding experience for you and your employer and we do our best to ensure that everyone involved feels that they have got the most that they can from the experience.

Placements provide a great opportunity to make your first career steps and enhance your employability while you’re completing your studies. You’ll get the opportunity to:

• Put the theory learnt throughout the course into professional practice
• Enhance your study and help you decide on subject options (where appropriate)
• Learn a wide range of skills such as time management, problem solving and teamwork (all of these are important to succeed in any career)
• Make contacts, as it is not uncommon for our students to be offered permanent positions to return to after graduating
• Gain a real insight into the discipline in roles that would be almost impossible to achieve for an outsider

Many of our students, during their placement, are given responsibilities normally associated with graduate trainees.

The faculty running your course will offer the support of a Placement Co-ordinator.  

Through timetabled sessions and one-to-one appointments, they’ll help support you in your placement search including advice on finding a placement, information and advice on all aspects of job searching and job applications, as well as ensuring your proposed placement meets the requirements of your course.  

Our CareersBU service is also available throughout your time at BU, offering services like CV checking and careers fairs to meet employers.  

Placement Development Advisors will support you once you have started your sandwich placement – so you will be able to maintain contact with the university throughout.

Should you choose to undertake a work placement, you will begin your placement after completion of your second year of study and you must complete a minimum of 30 weeks.

• Tottenham Hotspur Foundation
• Bournemouth Youth Offending Service
• Evelina London Children’s Hospital
• Guy’s & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust

In addition, many of our students volunteer overseas for organisations like Sri Lanka Volunteering and SEK International. Read Charlotte's story about challenges she faced in Sri Lanka where there is extreme stigma towards patients with mental health difficulties and special needs, and the subsequent lack of care/support available to them.

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website. 

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application; there are usually no interviews or selection activities needed. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

If you are unable to meet the entry requirements, we may be able to make you an offer through AccessBU if you meet certain criteria e.g. you have been in care or live in an area where fewer people typically progress to Higher Education. If you don't meet our published tariff, we will accept you at least 8 points below if your personal circumstances match our AccessBU criteria. 

Once you have completed an undergraduate Honours degree, you can further develop your education by studying for a postgraduate degree. We offer a unique portfolio of Psychology Master’s degrees in differing disciplines.

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
• Free software download to your personal device of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus while you are studying, as well as access to applications provided on AppsAnywhere, subject to licensing and compatibility restrictions 
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

For September 2025 entry:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies.
• Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website. 
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately.
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas). Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website.
• Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable).
• You will need to meet the cost of any Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if required by your placement setting, including any Post Office verification changes. 
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study.
• SportBU membership.

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

If you need to repeat one or more units during your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full-time fee.

Dr. Natalie Mestry is the course leader for this programme and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). Natalie teaches on several units including Statistics and Research Methods in second year and Forensic Applications for Face Processing in the final year. Natalie's research interests include unfamiliar face processing and visual search which can be applied to real world problems for security and the criminal justice system.

Dr. Joanne Rechdan teaches on the final year Forensic Psychology unit. Her research interests include social and cultural influences on memory, metamemory, and access to justice for minority groups. She is on the board of the European Association of Psychology and Law (EAPL) and is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Dr. Emma Portch leads the final year unit on Forensic Applications for Face Processing. Emma’s research focuses on examining how psychological factors can impact upon the construction and subsequent recognition of computerised facial composites (frequently produced during police investigations). She is involved in projects that investigate the impact of cognitive interviewing mnemonics, facial visualisation techniques, facial animation, and individual target-face characteristics (attractiveness and disguise).

Terri has worked for 18 years with the National Crime Agency and precursor policing organisations. She worked as a Behavioural Investigative Adviser and as a Serious Crime Analyst, specialising in serious sexual crimes, murder and serial offences. Her main roles involved looking to see if cases were linked to others in the UK, and providing profiles of potential offenders. Together with other staff and students she conducts very applied research of practical benefit in this area, often in conjunction with the police - for example, looking at enhancing investigations in sexual crime, looking at perpetrators of domestic abuse, or individuals who abuse their position at work for sexual gain. Many of her students go on to work in the criminal justice system in some capacity. Terri says: “There is nothing better than turning up at a meeting with the police, or at court and seeing one of your former students now working there”.

Fay leads the final year Forensic Psychology unit. Prior to joining academia, she was a Dorset Police officer (2004-2021). Her main research area concerns sexual misconduct within the police - inclusive of abuse of position for a sexual purpose as well as internal sexism, bullying and misogyny. She is also developing a risk assessment tool to assist the police in identifying officers who are engaging in the above mentioned behaviours. She is currently a member of two National Police Chief Council working groups (abuse of position and internal sexual misconduct) and the HMIC academic research group.