Criminal and Investigative Psychology (Professional Placement Year)

Study a combination of accredited Psychology modules and tailored forensic topics on this Criminal and Investigative Psychology degree.

• Accredited by the British Psychological Society, this course enables graduates who meet the requirements to register with the BPS.

• Develop professional skills to help you in the next stage of your career.

• Gain practical experience by using statistical and data analysis software, interviewing rooms and our Crime Scene Lab.

Criminal Psychology is the area of psychological research and practice concerned with offenders and victims of crime, the processes of law and the courts, and the psychology of criminal investigations. Understanding the psychological, social, philosophical and criminological causes and implications of crime are at the heart of this discipline.

Question what type of person is most likely to commit a crime, and how crime and anti-social disorders could be reduced. You will have an opportunity to explore the more academic discipline of criminal psychology, including eyewitness testimony, the investigative process of criminal cases and crime scenes, forensic mental health, as well as exploring the ethical dilemmas of the field.

Criminal and Investigative Psychology at Bath Spa is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS); it includes the core developmental, cognitive, social and biological skills prized by the Society. As a graduate, you'll become a Chartered member of the BPS (provided you obtain a 2.2 overall and pass the final year dissertation).

Please note that the BSc (Hons) Criminal and Investigative Psychology at Bath Spa was historically named BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology. The course page live on our website reflects the older name

More about the Professional Placement Year
A Professional Placement Year (PPY), traditionally known as a sandwich year, is where you undertake a period of work with an external organisation for between 9-13 months. The placement occurs between your second and final years of undergraduate study. You can engage in multiple placements to make up the total time and are required to source the placement(s) yourself, with support from the Careers team.

This course is a structured combination of modules from our core Psychology and Criminology courses, along with specialised Forensic Psychology modules.

Year one
Your first year will introduce you to the main psychological approaches - social, cognitive, developmental, individual differences, and biological psychology. You'll also take a specialist module in Forensic and Criminal Psychology.

Year two
In year two, you'll develop your understanding of forensic and criminal psychology and core psychology concepts. You'll also learn the skills necessary to undertake your own psychological research.

Year three is your Professional Placement Year.

Final year
Finally, year three will see you continue core studies with further forensic specialisation, including a dissertation involving one-to-one supervision with a member of staff.

Assessment methods include essays, debates, case study and professional reports, group presentations, and workbooks.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• British Psychological Society