This online BPS-accredited psychology degree gives you the opportunity to study all the core areas of psychology required for gaining Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Alongside this, you will learn about how we apply psychological knowledge to understanding aspects of criminal justice and forensic-related contexts, settings and behaviours.
As an online learning programme, it is a great option for those who can’t get onto campus, including working professionals and international students.
Unlike many forensic psychology degrees, our course includes modules specific to forensic psychology perspectives from the first year of study.
This degree will provide Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC)*. GBC is the first step to becoming a Chartered Psychologist and/or onward training in any of the regulated HCPC practitioner psychologist domains.
We are one of the few universities to offer the two stages of professional training in forensic psychology, which you would need to achieve professional registration. An accredited undergraduate degree in psychology that confers GBC is the starting point of your journey to becoming a psychologist in any domain.
*You will be eligible for GBC provided you achieve at least a 2:2, including a minimum of 40% in your final year research project.
Why study forensic psychology at Derby?
The starting point for understanding how we can use psychological knowledge in any applied way (including in criminal justice contexts) is to understand psychology. This is why on this programme you will gain a sound underpinning in psychological theory, knowledge and methods, which will support you to apply this in any context, including on your forensic psychology-focused modules.
In the second, third and fourth years of study, there are core modules that focus specifically on forensic applications of psychology, and in the fifth year you are able to focus on areas of specific interest to you through modules such as:
Psychopathy
Working with offenders in forensic settings
Offenders with mental and intellectual disabilities
Working with serious and dangerous offenders
Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD
Clinical applications of psychology
We are one of the few universities in the UK to offer an online BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology, which enables you to study from any location at any time.
The University of Derby has a long history of excellence in online learning, with the delivery of our online BSc (Hons) Psychology degree for more than ten years. As such we have heavily invested in online resources including our online library with a comprehensive range of digital and electronic resources, texts and journals, and specialist psychology software accessible to students on our psychology courses.
Our students are at the heart of our programmes, and you will become part of a psychology community. As a BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology student, you’ll be invited to attend online social events and guest lectures, and you’ll have access to a large and experienced academic team to ask questions throughout your studies.
The programme design is research-informed, and our teaching is research-led. You’ll have access to academic staff with expertise in a wide range of psychological research including a range of forensic psychology-specific areas (for example, psychopathy, stalking, and image-based sexual abuse), as well as expert staff in applied and core areas of psychology (such as cognitive, biological, developmental, and social psychology).
If you want to study an online programme, be part of an active student community, and have the option to engage in contemporary modules and live online sessions with your peers and academic staff, then this is the programme for you.
Attendance at live virtual sessions is optional and all sessions will be recorded and available for you to access in your own time.
I have always had an interest in investigative crime and the motivations for why people commit crime. When I heard of the Forensic Psychology degree, it matched my interests perfectly.
Adara Lloyd
Graduate
Expert tutors and strong industry links
Our team of enthusiastic and experienced lecturers who are experts in their fields support you all the way. Many are Chartered Psychologists with the British Psychological Society (the highest level of qualification for a psychologist in the UK). We also employ practitioner psychologists in several domains, who help to keep us up-to-date with the latest developments in practice and can support you in thinking through practice-based careers.
Your learning will be underpinned by the internationally renowned research activities of our staff who are helping to shape understanding and practice across the criminal justice sector. They have expertise in topics such as psychopathy, dark triad, sex offenders, domestic violence, and personality disorders. This means that your modules will feature the latest thinking and contemporary materials.
We also have strong links with a wide range of criminal and community justice agencies including the police, probation services, prisons, youth justice, courts, and victim support organisations. This means you might hear guest lectures from some of these organisations, or you might be able to undertake independent research projects with them.
We encourage you to take up additional volunteering opportunities throughout the degree to develop your CV and to ensure you are ‘workplace-ready’ on graduating.
Real-world research
We will prepare you to become a competent researcher yourself, who is equipped with the skills to analyse data and policies critically, and to contribute to original forensic psychology knowledge.
As part of the course, you will conduct independent research into an area that matches your career ambitions and interests. You may also have the chance to get involved in staff research projects and to present your work at conferences.
Kristina's new skills lead to funded research opportunity
Kristina Knoskova has developed key research skills on her course - and on her work placement. She is now using these skills to investigate gender equality in the police force as part of our funded Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme (URSS).
To complete the programme, you must acquire 360 credits in total. To do this, you will need to complete thirteen core 20 credit modules, three optional 20 credit modules and the Independent Research Project, which is a core 40-credit module.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Discovering Online Learning webinar: February 2025
Thursday, 13 February 2025 12.00 - 13.00
During this hour long webinar, we'll take you through how online learning works and what you can expect as an online student with the University of Derby.
This programme is delivered entirely online, so you can study from anywhere in the world and fit your studies around your existing work or personal commitments. We use a Virtual Learning Environment to deliver this course, which offers you a highly interactive experience.
You will learn through:
Weekly, live sessions delivered by a module tutor, which are also recorded and available to watch later
Pre-recorded videos delivered by members of the academic team, which are available to watch at any time
Discussion boards, which enable you to discuss a particular topic with fellow students and tutors
Guest lectures delivered by industry specialists or alumni, which will provide you with current insights
Your own online study and research, which you can choose to do at times that suit you
Support for your learning
You will get plenty of support, so if you are new to online learning or haven’t studied for a while, you don’t need to worry. You will be taught by our expert academics, who bring a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge to enrich your learning. There will also be a team of online learning advisors who will help you with any non-academic queries.
Pace of study
The academic year is made up of three, ten-week terms, known as trimesters. We recommend doing about 20 hours of study each week to complete one 20-credit module over a trimester.
Assessments
This course is assessed through coursework. There will be ongoing assessment (known as ‘formative assessment’) through things like self-assessment, peer review, or feedback directly from your tutor. These aid your learning but do not count towards your grade. Then there will be an end-of-module assessment (known as a ‘summative assessment’) for each module. These count towards your grade and may include things like:
essays
case studies
presentations including research-style posters
debates
The final assessment is the independent research project, which is a 40-credit module. For this, you will use the knowledge and skills you have learned so far, to undertake an in-depth investigation into a psychological problem or topic related to your own interests or career ambitions.
Student support and guidance
Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:
Develop@Derby for study, personal and employability skills
All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.
Who will teach you
Dr Laura Rayment
Programme Leader
Dr Laura Rayment
Laura began working for the University of Derby in 2013 and is currently a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology and the Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology (online) Programme, the Deputy Programme Leader for the B...
Dr Henry Lennon is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology. He is also Programme Leader of BSc Forensic Psychology, shaping and maintaining high academic standards by working with colleagues and external bodies. He contributes to teac...
As a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, Dr Tom Page teaches on the BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology programme. He conducts research in Forensic Psychology and has published articles in a range of high-quality academic journals.
Juliet is an associate lecturer and postgraduate research student with previous experience working in education, the homeless and vulnerable sector, housing management and in the prison system. She is passionate about evidenc...
Our Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons) course taster will give you an idea of how online learning works. It includes a selection of content from a course module so you can see what some of our learning material looks like.
You will need to complete a short form to access the course taster.
This online BSc in Forensic Psychology can be a starting point for a career as a registered forensic psychologist. The largest employers of registered forensic psychologists in the UK are Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the National Health Service (NHS). However, forensic psychologists can also work in rehabilitation units, private secure hospitals, social services, the police, local and central government, and academia.
To become a registered forensic psychologist, you would need to undertake further training after this BSc, as follows:
A Stage 2 HCPC approved qualification, such as our online PG Diploma in Forensic Psychology. You would then need to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to become a Registered Forensic Psychologist
Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for 3 years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.
Getting you career ready
Your degree is only part of your story.
We're here to help prepare you for life after university.
96% of UK graduates are in employment or further study.
Top 5 for employability. Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.
87% of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.
Getting you career ready
Your degree is only part of your story. We're here to help prepare you for life after university. We'll tailor your talents and help you build the tools that will set you apart when you are ready to look for your first graduate role.
Our staff have valuable and varied experiences in the workplace and beyond. And we have great links to industry. This means you'll have opportunities to apply your learning. You'll find work experience that's directly relevant to your studies, including placements and real projects set by businesses.
Our promise
We promise to provide an inclusive approach; supporting, advising and guiding you on your employability journey to success. We will listen to your needs and signpost opportunities for you to engage with up to three years after graduation.
These are typical qualification requirements for September 2023 entry.
Requirement
What we’re looking for
UCAS Points
120 - 128
A level
ABB - BBB
T level
Merit - Distinction
BTEC
DDM
GCSE
GCSE Maths and English Grade 4 / Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HE
Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6
Applicants will also be considered without these formal qualifications providing you have suitable experience in the forensic environment.
In making our decision, we will consider all the information that you include in your application, including your experience and prior learning. We will also want to see that you are enthusiastic and motivated to study Forensic Psychology with us, and that you have can demonstrate the potential to benefit from studying at the university.
If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need at least one of the following:
17 (sixteen 20 credit modules and one 40 credit module)
£17,190
About your fees
This figure would be the total cost of this course based on the fee in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.
If you are required to undertake any associate study or additional study as a condition of your offer for the programme, please be aware that the cost for this may be in addition to the programme cost stated above.
Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying
Pay your full course fees upfront and avoid annual increases
Undergraduate funding options
Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for an undergraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to meet the cost of tuition fees.
If you are considering applying for a student loan, please also see our additional guidance on Loans for Online Students.
If you already hold an honours degree, and you are looking to re-skill or up-skill, you may still be eligible for a loan to study this course.
Our undergraduate and postgraduate course pages will show the intakes that are available and open to applications. It's best to apply early so you can secure your place and beat the rush.
Once we have received your application and supporting documents (such as qualifications or references), we will review it and contact you within 4 weeks to let you know if you have been successful or not.
Our aim is to support all students to have the best possible opportunities to succeed and so our application and enrolment deadlines are in place to ensure you stand the best chance of doing so.
Joining the programme later may harm your chances of success on your course. It is therefore vital that you take note of the dates and ensure you submit your completed application and subsequent enrolment in time.
Undergraduate and postgraduate taught deadlines
Please note some courses may have an earlier induction, teaching and enrolment deadline date.
If your course operates a gathered field or pooled admissions process there may be an earlier application date. Please check your individual course page for further details.
In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:
Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
Current CV
Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*
*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:
Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
The date of the translation
The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.
Application deadlines
All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.
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