Forensic Psychology (with foundation year)
Entry requirements
GCSE/National 4/National 5
5 GCSEs at A-C/4-9 including Maths and English.
UCAS Tariff
5 GCSEs at A-C/4-9 including Maths and English, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.
About this course
The foundation year of this Coventry University degree will be delivered from our CU Coventry campus. Course delivery from year 1 of the degree course onwards will be from Coventry University campus.
This course aims to provide you with a solid grounding for a professional career in the forensic psychology sector.
The foundation year covers key themes such as academic skills, inequality, social determinants and communications. It seeks to develop your key skills, such as research methods, scientific fundamentals and promotion techniques. Students who successfully complete their foundation year will then progress onto the Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons) degree within Coventry University’s School of Psychological, Social and Behavioural Sciences.
The degree demonstrates applications of forensic psychology in a global context, providing a holistic understanding of psychological explanations and their applications using real-life examples (for example, mental-health) across different contexts. It engages with theory, research and applications of psychological perspectives and methods/techniques in a global context to develop professional levels of transferable, practical and cognitive skills.
You will develop critical awareness and understanding of core BPS (British Psychological Society) curriculum and specialised and contemporary content using a thematic approach for example psychology and popular culture, cybercrime, international perspectives of crime, mental health and wellbeing, culture, gender and sexuality.
**Key benefits of the degree**
* Opportunity to gain a critical appreciation of how forensic psychology can be applied to real-world questions and cross-cultural and diverse situations across global contexts
* We focus on your employability: developing transferable, practical and cognitive skills (for example, critical analysis, problem-solving, and leadership) with the aim of putting you in an excellent position to secure postgraduate education or employment in an increasingly competitive market
* Our collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects can enhance your international awareness through multicultural communication and peer interaction at participating institutions (subject to availability).
* Opportunities to participate in exciting field trips to a range of overseas destinations, which have previously included the United States.
See our website for further details.
Modules
The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study with modules including:
* Skills for Professional Development
* Psychology of Learning and Development
* Health and Disease
* Promoting Health and Wellbeing
Successful completion of the foundation year progresses you to first year of the decree course. This course has a common degree first year. The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.
If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).
Common first year courses:
Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons)
Psychology BSc (Hons)
Sport and Exercise Psychology BSc (Hons)
Modules
Professional Practice in Psychology
Fundamental concepts in Psychology
Introducing Quantitative Research Methods
Psychology and Popular Culture
Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Introducing Qualitative Research Methods
Year Two
In year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills related to forensic psychology in practice; research methodologies and theoretical underpinnings around contemporary topic areas such as cybercrime, international perspectives on crime, among others. You will also advance in your understanding of research methodologies and experimental research paradigms.
Placement Year
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement* can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They are a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.
If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee* of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.
Final Year
Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. You could also work on a research project in an area of your interest, under the supervision of a research-active member of staff.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content. For full module details please check the course page on the Coventry University website.
*For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website
Assessment methods
The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as provide an overall percentage grade.
Assessment methods vary and may include practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
CU Coventry
School of Psychological, Social and Behavioural Sciences
What students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Applied psychology
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After graduation
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Applied psychology
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What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Applied psychology
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£22k
£25k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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