Forensic Psychology with Foundation Year

The highlights

• This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring eligibility for Graduate Membership of the Society. Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, provided the minimum standard of qualification of a second class honours is achieved, is the first step to becoming a Chartered Psychologist
• You will focus on real-life criminal justice problems and explore potential solutions
• We cover the latest thinking on subjects as varied as hate crime, domestic abuse and murder investigations
• Fieldtrips (subject to availability and travel restrictions), to places such as, courts and prisons will give you vital insights while criminal justice professionals will share their experiences with you
• Our teaching team includes leading experts who are conducting influential research in the field
• We support you to conduct your own original research and contribute to the growing knowledge base about forensic psychology
• Opportunity to achieve an additional professional qualification in youth justice

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

About the course

How does criminal behaviour develop? Are psychopaths born or made? Are eyewitnesses accurate? How should we rehabilitate offenders? These are just some of the challenging questions you will explore on our stimulating degree. 

We are one of the few universities in the UK to offer an integrated degree dedicated to the intersection between psychology and the criminal justice system. Forensic psychology is increasingly used to inform practice within the justice system and there is a growing demand for professionals who can draw on knowledge of the subject in a wide range of roles and contexts.

Our BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology programme enables you to apply psychological theories, methods and research to some of the critical challenges facing the criminal justice system today.

You will cover all the main areas of psychology and gain a thorough understanding of complex issues such as criminal behaviour and the personal consequences of crime. There is the chance to focus on specialist areas ranging from cybercrime to domestic abuse, hate crime to psychopathy, offenders with mental or intellectual disabilities to substance misuse. Among the latest additions to the portfolio are optional modules in subjects such as addictive behaviours and schizophrenia.

Throughout, we emphasise the importance of evidence-based practice so you will research real-life criminal justice problems and seek pragmatic solutions to address those problems.

Professional recognition

Our BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). As long as you achieve at least a second class honours qualification and obtain at least 40% in your Independent Study in Psychology - you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the society. This is the first step to becoming a chartered psychologist. 

The next step you will need to complete is a Stage One accredited postgraduate qualification, which we offer in our MSc Forensic Psychology. Following this, you must complete Stage Two towards becoming a Forensic Psychologist, which is the independent training route. Trainees will complete eight pieces of work, taking a minimum of two years, in the following areas: conducting psychological applications and interventions, research, communicating psychological knowledge and advice to other professionals and training other professionals in psychological skills and knowledge. All of these activities are supervised by a registered Forensic Psychologist. Successful submission and HCPC registration leads to qualification as a Forensic Psychologist.

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.

Assessment

During your foundation year, you will be assessed mainly by coursework and with some in-class tests.

For the rest of your degree, you will be assessed via a wide range of methods including essays, research reports, presentations and case studies.

Supporting you all the way

We offer a high level of support to students, including a unique personal tutor system to help steer your academic and professional development.

Who you will meet

You’ll be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts:

Programme Leader Dr Henriette Bergstrøm specialises in the psychology of criminal investigations and psychopathy. 

Dr Karin Spenser a Chartered Psychologist, experienced Magistrate, specialising in domestic violence and family matters.

Michael Teague is a qualified Probation Officer and Social Worker. His research interests centre on probation, imprisonment, and the politics of criminal and community justice.

Joanna Adhikari a trustee at the Rosalie Ryrie Foundation in Wakefield, a charity who aims to break the cycle of controlling, abusive and conforming behaviours in families. Joanna's research specalises in perpetration and victimisation in domestic abuse, coercive control, safeguarding, aggression, impulsivity, and risk assessments.

Dr Helen Clarke has an interest in men’s and women's experiences of crime, with a particular focus on the areas of equality and diversity. Her doctoral research explored women's experiences of sexual violence.

Charlotte Hargreaves is a youth justice expert with research interests in young people in the youth justice system, social exclusion, drug and alcohol misuse, mental ill health, school exclusion and disaffection.

Jayne Noor Mohammed specialises in themes of cybercrime, hi-tech crime, international criminology and research methods. Her particular research interests include e-fencing, counterfeiting and copyright infringement.

Nick Howe was formerly a Police Chief Superintendent and is currently undertaking doctoral studies in policing and partnerships but has a research interest in all aspects of policing, investigation and criminal justice.

You will learn through a compelling combination of: 

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• role plays
• workshops
• fieldtrips

We offer a high level of support to students, including a personal tutor system to help steer your academic and professional development throughout your studies.  

How you are assessed

You are assessed via a wide range of methods including:

• essays
• case studies
• presentations including research-style posters
• debates
• group projects 

Who you'll meet

Our teaching team for the BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology programme is made up of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts. They include:

• Dr Henriette Bergstrøm
• Dr Dean Fido
• Dr Tom Page
• Dr Henry Lennon
• Dr Rachael Wheately
• Juliet Marvin
• Dr Katia Vione
• Dr Aleksandra Monteiro

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

The skills and tools you gain on the BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology are valuable for a wide range of careers, including the probation service, the prison service, youth justice and youth offending teams.

You could also consider roles in research and policy-making within the criminal justice system or you could pursue a career in teaching and academia.

Where can a degree in Forensic Psychology take you?

Further study

You can go on to postgraduate study at Derby, with MSc qualifications in subjects such as Forensic Psychology, Criminal Investigation, and Criminal Justice and Criminology.

These expand your knowledge into specialist areas and accelerate your progress to more senior and leadership roles. Some of our students also use their experiences on the degree as a springboard into academic research.

As a graduate of the University of Derby, you may benefit from an alumni discount on your postgraduate course fees if you continue to study with us.

Find out more about our alumni discount. 

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.

Other courses you might like

• Counselling and Psychotherapy Principles and Practices BSc (Hons) (on campus)
• Psychology BSc (Hons) (on campus)
• Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons) (on campus)
• Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons) (online)
• Psychology BSc (Hons) (online)