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BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic and Investigative Psychology
Our BPS-accredited Psychology with Forensic and Investigative Psychology degree takes you on a journey to uncover why criminals break the law. Our flexible Psychology degrees are ranked TOP in the UK for teaching satisfaction (Psychology and Health, NSS 2023).
Why study Psychology with Forensic and Investigative Psychology?
Find out why people break the law and how vital psychology is to criminal investigations. This Psychology with Forensic and Investigative Psychology degree teaches you how psychological theory and research applies in forensic settings like police investigations, the court room, and the prison service.
‘Investigative forensic psychology’ means helping to uncover the motivation behind the crimes and how they are investigated. You'll develop analytical techniques to evaluate different kinds of criminal behaviour. From what makes serial killers tick to whether children are reliable witnesses, you’ll find out how to apply psychology to forensic scenarios.
The first two years of this flexible degree are designed to help you dig deeper into the science of psychology, learning how humans think, feel, and behave. In years three and four, you take more advanced options related to forensic and investigative psychology.
You'll gain a thorough understanding of this fascinating subject, including how to:
Analyse offender motives.
Understand offending behaviour.
Evaluate eyewitness testimony.
Profile missing people.
Understand the language of the judicial system.
Support vulnerable witnesses, victims and offenders.
Assess and manage offenders.
Uncover the psychological issues involved in crime
You'll develop an analytical approach so you can evaluate the different kinds of criminal behaviour involved in investigations. You'll learn how to observe that behaviour, tackle literature-based research and develop, test and evaluate theories. This culminates in conducting your own supervised research project in your final year, which is one of the cornerstones of your degree.
This Psychology with Forensic and Investigative Psychology degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and its core areas follow the curriculum set out by the BPS. This accreditation is essential if you want to become a Chartered Psychologist and means that successful graduates can apply for further professional psychology training.
Psychology degrees here at Abertay are flexible. You can switch to BSc Psychology or another Psychology pathway if you develop an interest in a particular topic later on. See 'How the course works' below for full details.
Our BSc Psychology course scored an impressive 95% for Overall Student Satisfaction in the 2020 National Student Survey (NSS).
Your journey starts here
You'll uncover the psychological issues involved in the management, investigation and prosecution of crime. Along the way you'll learn how to provide rigorous research-based evidence which may be used in the criminal justice system.
As part of your course, you’ll develop skills in report writing, numeracy, statistics and IT, communication, and analytical thinking. All of which helps you in the world of work or further study, whatever you decide on after you graduate.
What is Investigative Forensic Psychology?
‘Investigative forensic psychology’ means helping to uncover the motivation behind the crimes.
To do this you’ll apply psychological empirical evidence and theoretical frameworks to the criminal justice system, including the crime scene, police interrogations, and the court room.
You’ll discover what motivates people to commit crimes, learn techniques to elicit accurate accounts from witnesses and victims, and review the factors that can impact on jury decision making.
Career opportunities
We are extremely proud of our alumni. Their post-graduation roles are wide and varied, such as:
Occupational therapists
Various positions within the police
Youth workers
Researchers
Drug rehabilitation workers
Clinical psychologists
Primary/secondary school teachers
College/university lecturers
Social workers
Strong industry links
You'll be learning from academics with access to a wide range of research and professional networks.
We have strong links with the Scottish Institute for Policing Research and many of the lecturing staff are members of professional societies. We have excellent connections with local health services, the games industry and local education authorities.
You’ll have the option to connect with local organisations, or apply your learning to your current workplace in the work placement module.
About your modules
All modules shown are indicative and reflect course content for the current academic year. Modules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change. If you receive an offer to study with us we will send you a Programme document that sets out exactly which modules you can expect to take as part of your Abertay University degree programme. Please see Terms and Conditions for more information.
But if you’re unsure which to choose, don’t worry, apply for the course that appeals most.
This is because you have an opportunity to switch to a different pathway at the start of Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 (conditions apply*). Our academic team will always be available to help if you do decide to switch pathways.
Your degree title will be reflected in the pathway you choose eg. BSc (Hons) Psychology with Development and Education or BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic Scene Investigation.
No other Scottish university is offering these flexible undergraduate degree pathways in psychology. We believe this gives our graduates a distinct edge when it comes to applying for postgraduate study or employment.
*Dependent on the relevant modules being taken. Please check your Student Handbook for full details.
Teaching and assessment
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, practical laboratory classes, seminars, tutorials, and independent study.
In addition to practical laboratory classes where you'll learn relevant scientific techniques firsthand and design experiments and collect and analyse data, the Research Volunteer Scheme provides you with the opportunity to directly learn from academic experts and get involved in cutting-edge research.
You will be assessed using a variety of methods. These include examinations and class tests, practical laboratory reports, essays, oral and poster presentations, research projects, writing scientific articles and case studies.
All students must complete their Honours project on an area of psychological research related to their chosen pathway.
Accreditation
The British Psychological Society (BPS) is our professional body and the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme here at Abertay has their accreditation. The BPS Accreditation is essential for students who want to become a Chartered Psychologist.
Please note: All applicants must have passes in English and Maths - National 5 grade C or GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent. National 5 ESOL is accepted in lieu of National 5 English. National 5 Lifeskill Maths and Application of Maths at grade B is accepted in lieu of Maths. You may be eligible to take ABE111: Numbers for Everyday Life in lieu of a National 5 Maths qualification at grade C or GCSE grade C/4 or an acceptable equivalent.
Higher Application of Maths at grade C accepted.
Below are the literate subjects we accept for entry on this course:
One of the following: Business Management; Classical Studies; Economics; English; ESOL; Geography; History; Media Studies; Modern Studies; Philosophy; Politics; Psychology; Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies; Sociology
If there is a subject that does not appear, please contact our Admissions Office (admissions@abertay.ac.uk) who will be able to confirm whether or not it would be considered for entry.
Higher (minimum entry) We may make you an offer at the minimum entry grades if you meet the criteria. Find out if you're eligible for minimum entry (see below).
BBC
Literate subject at B
A-Level
CCC
Literate subject
T Level
C or higher
in Core Component in one of the following:- Education & Early Years, Health, Healthcare Science, Science or Legal Services
Irish Highers
H3H3H3H3
Literate subject
International Baccalaureate Diploma Based Programme (IBDP)
28 Points
To include literate subject at S5 or H4
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP)
We encourage applications with the IBCP but understand that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.
We accept the International Baccalaureate Careers-related Programme (IBCP). Any subject requirements must be met as per our published IB Diploma requirements.
BTEC Extended Diploma
MMM
Health & Social Care
AHEAD
Successful completion of the relevant stream of our AHEAD programme
SWAP Access
Access to: University Study/Community, Education & Humanities/Arts & Social Sciences and Primary Teaching/Languages, Arts & Social Sciences/Humanities & Primary Education/Degree Studies/Celtic Studies/Arts & Humanities/Humanities/Humanities (Teaching)
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP)
See next column
If you are taking HNC/HND with one or more Higher Levels IB subjects, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.
Not sure if you're eligible for entry?
If you have the potential and motivation to study at university, regardless of your background or personal circumstances, we welcome your application.
We understand some people have faced extra challenges before applying to university, which is why we consider the background in which your academic grades have been achieved when making an offer.
If you expect to receive passes in three Scottish Highers (grades A-C) and have...
been in care, or are a young carer yourself
attended a school or lived in an area where not many people go to university
are eligible for free school meals
are a young person estranged from your family
are a government-recognised refugee or have asylum seeker status
are a registered pupil with sustained engagement in a targeted aspiration-raising programme such as LIFT OFF, LEAPS, FOCUS West or Aspire North
... we encourage you to submit an application.
Support for Ukrainian students
We're keen to offer help to Ukrainian students who may wish to transfer from their existing institution in Ukraine or to register with us as new students for intake in September. There will be no tuition fees charged for the duration of the degree programme, as those with refugee status are treated as ‘Home/Scottish’ students and will also have access to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland bursary and student loans. Our Recruitment Team can help guide applicants.
The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying.
We offer a range of scholarships to help support your studies with us.
As well as Abertay scholarships for English, Welsh, Northern Irish and international students, there are a range of corporate and philanthropic scholarships available. Some are course specific, many are not. There are some listed below or you can visit the Undergraduate scholarship pages.
The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats) is an official source of information about higher education. It collates comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study.