Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology applies the principles and methods of psychology to legal, criminal justice, and investigative contexts. It asks how psychological knowledge can inform the investigation of crime, the assessment of offenders, the design of interventions that reduce reoffending, and the processes through which evidence is gathered, assessed, and presented in legal proceedings. The field is growing rapidly as the criminal justice system increasingly recognises the value of psychological expertise, and it draws on cognitive, social, developmental, and clinical psychology to address a wide range of forensic questions.

At Keele this three-year full-time degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society, meaning you gain graduate basis for chartered membership, the essential first step toward professional training as a psychologist. You will build a foundational understanding of core psychological topics alongside the specific knowledge and skills relevant to forensic practice, studying the psychology of crime, investigation, and punishment, and developing your understanding of how people think, communicate, and act in criminal contexts. The programme includes a sandwich year providing professional experience, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, giving you exposure to real forensic and justice settings that enrich your academic learning.

Graduates are well placed for careers in the criminal justice system, probation service, prison service, police service, victim support, youth offending, secure mental health settings, and forensic research. Those wishing to practise as chartered forensic psychologists will need to complete a BPS-accredited doctoral programme in forensic psychology, and the Keele degree provides the academic foundation for that route. Many graduates also enter related roles in clinical and counselling psychology, social work, education, and policy, where understanding of criminal behaviour and justice is valued.