Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour, and forensic psychology applies psychological knowledge and methods to questions at the interface of the law, the justice system, and human behaviour. It asks why people offend, how criminal behaviour can be assessed and predicted, what psychological factors influence eyewitness testimony and jury decision-making, how offenders can be rehabilitated, and how victims of crime and trauma are supported. It is a field that requires both a rigorous scientific foundation in mainstream psychology and specific knowledge of the legal and forensic contexts in which that science is applied.

At London South Bank University, this part-time programme provides a comprehensive grounding in the core areas of psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and providing the Graduate Basis for Chartership that is essential for those who wish to pursue a career as a qualified psychologist. The forensic psychology pathway develops your understanding of criminal behaviour, the psychology of offending, risk assessment, working with offenders and victims, and the application of psychological evidence in legal contexts. The programme includes a year abroad, broadening your academic perspective and your awareness of how forensic psychology is practised in different legal and cultural contexts.

BPS accreditation ensures your qualification is recognised by employers in the sector.

Graduates from psychology with forensic psychology go on to careers in criminal justice settings, including probation services, prisons, youth offending teams, secure mental health services, and the police, as well as in victim support, social work, clinical services, and research. Many continue to postgraduate training in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, or counselling psychology, which is required for qualified practitioner status. The combination of scientific rigour and practical application that the degree develops is valued across any field that depends on understanding human behaviour in high-stakes contexts.