Psychology, Crime and Justice (with Placement) Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Please note that this course was previously Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons).

Our accredited course brings to life this exciting field, exploring how psychology can help us understand the minds of offenders, criminal behaviours and why people commit crimes, with reference to specific crimes. You also focus on crime investigation and what happens in the courtroom in areas such as eyewitness behaviour; detecting deceptive behaviours; and exploring how juries reach their verdicts. In your final year, you develop the advanced skills needed to assess offenders and put in place interventions.

Professional Practice Year\
Take your course over four years and include a Professional Practice Year after your second year of studies. It is an opportunity to apply your learning in the workplace while enhancing your knowledge and skills through fee-free paid practice. It also builds your CV and industry contacts with many students progressing to employment within their practice-year organisation or institution.

Course accreditation

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Graduating from a BPS-accredited degree with a 2nd-class Honours or above makes you eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the Society.

Facilities and specialist equipment

* Specialist, industry-standard psychology laboratories and computing environments including a biological and cognitive psychology lab, and cognitive neuropsychology lab


* State-of-the-art virtual reality lab housing omnidirectional slip-mills for unlimited movement in virtual environments; a range of tethered and untethered headsets, and eye-tracking capability

* Suite of research cubicles containing up-to-the-minute equipment and technology

Equipment includes:

* Eye-tracking software and screen

* Driving simulator

* Biosemi Active 2 EEG with capabilities for up to 256+8 electrodes plus sensor channels

* Extended physiological recording facilities

* Psychometrics and cognitive test library

* Podcasting equipment

Careeer-powered links

* Our specialised forensic psychology units have been developed with a panel of industry professionals including from the probation service and police.

Your student experience

Previously titled BSc Forensic Psychology, the name change reflects an enhanced scope to meet accreditation standards and a broader exploration of psychology’s role within the justice system, while preserving the core forensic focus that students value.

Study key areas such as criminal behaviour, the criminal justice system, and applied forensic psychology, gaining insight into how psychological principles are used to understand, investigate and respond to offending.

Learn from a highly experienced team who are active in the criminal justice sector, who integrate both real-world practice and research experience into their teaching.

On this course pathway, you get to apply your knowledge and new skills on a year-long, relevant placement such as working with our local probations service.

Benefit from membership of our Student Research Institute, providing opportunities to engage in research; work with staff as an assistant; and attend research conferences.

Our research addresses real-life, day-to-day issues including the accuracy of eyewitnesses in identifying criminals; reading development; and prevention of gender-based violence.

Conduct supervised research on a forensic topic of your choice, and present it to your peers and psychology professionals at our annual Student Research Conference.

Enjoy field trips to a range of locations including Luton Crown Court, where you will observe real-life cases from the public gallery.

Hear from guest speakers who share their experience and expertise at special events run by the School.

Benefit from friendly, approachable staff, small class sizes and easy access to academic support.