Forensic Psychology (Professional Placement Year)
UCAS Code: HH31
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
If studying Psychology, this course requires a grade C or higher. If Psychology is not an option, then we require a C in another A level subject.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE courses - typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, including 30 at merit or higher)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
International Baccalaureate - a minimum score of 27 points required
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
BTEC Extended Diploma - grades Merit, Merit, Merit (MMM) preferred in a related subject
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Study a combination of accredited Psychology modules and tailored forensic topics on this Forensic Psychology degree.
- BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Find out what it’s like to be a professional Forensic Psychologist, in readiness for the next stage of your career.
- Use statistical and data analysis software, biopacs including EEG, and comprehensive Psychology databases.
This Forensic Psychology degree responds to demand for more in-depth study into this exciting area of Psychology. You'll learn about all aspects of criminal behaviour, focusing on the individual motivations and consequences of crime.
Providing you with a variety of skills including communication, computing, numeracy, teamwork, independent learning and critical thinking, a degree in Psychology is highly valued by employers. This course offers work placement opportunities that enable you to develop further practical experience that employers value.
Forensic Psychology at Bath Spa is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS); it includes the core developmental, cognitive, social and biological skills prized by the Society. As a graduate, you'll become a Chartered member of the BPS (provided you obtain a 2.2 overall and pass the final year dissertation).
**More about the Professional Placement Year**
A Professional Placement Year (PPY), traditionally known as a sandwich year, is where a student undertakes a period of work with an external organisation for between 9-13 months. The placement occurs between the students' second and third years of undergraduate study. Students can engage in up to 3 placements to make up the total time and are required to source the placement(s) themselves with support from the Careers & Employability Team.
Modules
This course is a structured combination of existing components from our established Psychology programme, with Forensics or other relevant elements such as Criminology and Biology. In years one and two, you'll usually take 80 credits from the established Psychology programme, plus 40 to give the Forensic specialisation. In the third year, you'll take 80 credits in Forensics.
Year one
Your first year will introduce you to the main psychological approaches - social, cognitive, developmental, individual differences, and biological psychology. You'll also take a specialist module in Forensic and Criminal Psychology, and a module that introduces you to Human Biology, which provides background for learning about the biological and genetic causes of crime.
Year two
In year two, you’ll revist the topics of year one in greater depth, plus you'll have the chance to explore some of the relevant concepts in Criminology.
Year three
Placement year.This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.
Year four
Finally, year three will see you continue core studies with further Forensic specialisation, including a dissertation involving one-to-one working with a member of staff.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods include essays, debates, research reports, forensic scenario interpretation, group presentations, and examinations.
Most modules involve a mixture of lectures and follow-up seminars and workshops. In the case of research methods, much of the teaching is conducted via practical classes.
You’ll participate actively in seminars; these are characterised by small-group work. Bookable tutorials enable you to have one-to-one discussions with staff.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Bath Spa University
School of Science
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