BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic Psychology

Level One

Research Skills 1
An appreciation of research methods is critical for an understanding of psychology. This module introduces students to some of the basic concepts underlying research and provides a practical introduction to conducting research in psychology.

Mind and Brain
This module offers an introduction to the biological substrates of mind. It introduces the philosophical issues that arise in relating mental to biological activity. It orientates the student to the basic structure of the brain and nervous system before moving on to study the building blocks of the brain – the neuron, its structure and functioning. The module then elaborates on how networks of neurons could plausibly produce behaviour that we can recognise as cognition (for example recognition and memory).

Development in Cultural Context
This module examines the influence of culture on human development, taking a lifespan approach. The aim of the module is to introduce the study of developmental psychology in a cultural context, including an introduction to developmental theories that incorporate social and cultural variables. The module will focus on specific topics at key points in the lifespan such as childhood, adolescence, middle and older adulthood.

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
This module introduces students to the terminology, methodology and central issues in the study of core aspects of human cognition such as perception, memory, problem-solving and language. The module also provides a foundation for the more widespread and detailed discussion of each area in other modules at levels two and three.

Social and Individual Psychology
This module provides an introduction to social psychology and individual differences, and to different approaches to the study of social phenomena and personality. Some consideration to the history of these various approaches and the different analytical methods is given. Problems of disentangling the effects of genetic, environmental and social worlds are explored along with consideration of the influence of cognitive functioning on social behaviour.

Foundations of Forensic Psychology
This is an introductory module to practice, research and theory in Forensic Psychology. The module will be separated into two blocks: block one focuses on core issues in the practice of forensic psychology including historical developments, ethical considerations and debates, cultural and social influences on conceptualisation; block two focuses on the generation of knowledge through forensic psychology research methods, and provides an understanding of the epistemological strengths and limitations of each method of investigation. The aim of this module is to introduce students to the nature and scope of forensic psychology practice, by debating some of the key issues in forensic psychology practice and becoming familiar with research methods that are integral to forensic research.

Level Two

Research Skills 2
The content of this module builds on the skills gained at level one in the module Research Skills 1. Students are introduced to ethical issues in research, followed by an introduction to universal statistical procedures for analysis of complex experimental designs. Students are also introduced to methods and procedures for collecting and analysing survey and qualitative data. In parallel with the lecture programme, practical research skills are taught in workshops, and students will be required to carry out a small group practical project under supervision of a member of staff.

Social Psychology
This module builds upon the social psychology material covered in the level one module Social and Individual Psychology. It explores some of the central issues of social psychology, including how people deal with social information, such as the causes of behaviour and social categories, and how groups function and interact.

Developmental Psychology
This module examines concepts, theories, research methods and influencing factors in child development relevant to the period from birth to pre-adolescence. The syllabus is organised into four main blocks: foundations of development, development of cognition, development of representation, social and emotional development. General theories of nature and nurture will be discussed in the context of specific topics. Also, applications of developmental research and theories will be discussed relevant to specific topics.

Investigating the Individual
This module builds upon some of the individual difference material covered in the level one module Social and Individual Psychology. It explores concepts, techniques of measurement and theories that aim to produce a psychological understanding of what differentiates people (and groups) from one another. Drawing on theories of personality, differential psychology and psychopathology, the module considers these sources of variation by looking at how and why people (and groups) are psychologically different.

Cognition
This module continues the investigation into cognitive processes begun at level one in Introduction to Cognitive Psychology. It expands the range of cognitive functions considered by exploring current issues in areas such as Attention (in particular visual spatial attention) and Memory, Thinking and Language. Students are introduced to competing theories/approaches and evaluations with the aim to provide students with an appreciation of the role of empirical evidence in guiding the formation and assessment of the adequacy of different psychological theories.

Mental Health and Offending Behaviour
The module aims to examine critically a range of psychological research and theories that attempt to describe, explain and understand mental health and mental disorder and then relate this to forensic behaviours and disorders. Students consider a range of issues from both theoretical and research contexts in relation to mental health, mental disorder and offending behaviour. The programme is structured in two blocks: block one considers a range of perspectives and theories relating to mental health, disorder and abnormality, in addition to traditional perspectives of mental disorder alongside social constructionist accounts; block two considers the nature of offending behaviour, focusing on symptomatology rather than classifications, with a main emphasis on explanations for these offending behaviours.

Level Three

Independent Study
This module requires students to carry out empirical research in an area of their choice, culminating in the production of a dissertation. The Independent Study tests a student’s ability to identify an appropriate research question and to design and implement an appropriate study. The role of the supervisor is to guide them through these processes.

Cognitive Neuroscience
This module offers an in-depth review of current literature on cognitive neuroscience, a scientific study of neural mechanisms underlying cognition, with a specific focus on the interactions of brain structures and mental processes and their behavioural manifestations. A range of topics are covered (vision, attention, face and object recognition, memory and emotion) to illustrate how the concepts and modern methodologies are applied to the problems and issues which constitute the subject of cognitive neuroscience.

Conceptual Psychology
This module places the discipline and the subject Psychology under scrutiny. By this we mean to locate Psychology in a historical context, consider philosophical concepts that have shaped psychology and to reflect on some of the consequences (moral, political, exploitative, oppressive and/or liberating) that emanate from the practices of psychology. The module therefore includes three areas of focus – contextual (history of psychology), conceptual (philosophy of science, alternative paradigms, and key psychological concepts) and consequential (critical psychology).

Counselling Skills and Theory
This module has two aims:
1. To describe and evaluate a range of theoretical approaches to counselling.
2. To help students understand the importance of basic interviewing and counselling skills and to assist them to develop communication skills in these areas.

A person-centred approach to counselling will be used.

An important aspect of this module is the development of learning through self-reflection.

Approaches to Treatment in Forensic Settings
The module covers the relevant evidence for working with different forensic interventions and general information relating to assessment and motivational engagement in forensic settings. Initially students have an opportunity to develop their knowledge of problem formulation. Later students examine in detail some approaches to treatment and therapy used in forensic settings. This will include specific information about a range of different client groups including: sexual and violent offenders; individuals with personality disorder, mental illness and learning disability; as well as women offenders, arsonists and individuals with drug and alcohol problems. For each of these groups, information regarding what is effective with each client group (including the appropriate assessment and intervention methods) is provided. There is the opportunity to hear practice issues from professionals working in forensic practice, as practitioners will deliver the majority of lectures.

Risk Perception, Assessment and Management
In everyday language ‘risk’ commonly refers to specific threats to people, their environments and the things that they value. However, risk is a multifaceted concept that has exceeded its association with any specific hazard or peril and is now central to the social theory and professional practice of many sites of management and governance in advanced liberal democracies. Insofar as we are now understood to be living in a ‘risk society’, risk analysis has become an ever-expanding industry. This module is designed to give students a critical awareness and understanding of psychological issues typically related to the assessment, perception, communication, management and governing of risk as it affects professional practices in such areas as public health, politics, the environment, science and technology, corporate communication, and clinical/forensic psychology. This module focuses on such aspects as the theoretical, empirical, historical, discursive and policy aspects of psychology and risk as they typically apply across a range of individual, forensic/clinical, organisational, and societal contexts.

Students choose two elective modules

• Addictions
• Developmental Psychopathology
• Event-Related Potentials (ERP) and Cognition
• Cognitive Neuroscience of Visual Attention
• Vision
• Advanced Multivariate Statistics
• Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Spatial Language and Spatial Representation
• Organisational Psychology
• Counselling Skills and Theory
• Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Theory and Practice
• Comparative Social Behaviour and Cognition
• Advanced Psycholinguistics
• Discourse
• Developmental Cognitive Neuropsychology
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders
• Theories of Mental Health.

The aims of the module assessments are to provide a measure of the development and attainment of programme outcomes, including the attainment of high-level intellectual skills such as critical analysis and evaluation. Accordingly, the nature of assessment varies across the three levels of the programme. Assessments at levels one and two focus on the acquisition and understanding of knowledge and skills. In contrast, level three assessments place far greater emphasis on the ability to apply, analyse and evaluate knowledge.

The Psychology teaching accommodation is located in the main University building, and provides well-equipped laboratories including two pc-based teaching laboratories, an observation suite, a psychophysiology laboratory, a laboratory for running 'eye-tracking' experiments, a 'BabyLab', and numerous general-purpose research and practical laboratories long with fully equipped technical workshops. Three technical staff are on hand to aid students in the production and generation of experimental materials and equipment, and software development.

The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC), the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

300pts from 3 x 6 Unit Awards, 1 x Science or Related, ex Key Skills. (Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Geography or Economics acceptable). Ex. General studies. 45 level 3 credits at merit or above from an Access to HE in science or social science. A2 & BTEC Applied Science accepted.

Five GCSEs at grade C or above, to include English Language and Maths at grade C (or equivalent). Key Skills L3 accepted, B1 or higher ordinary Irish Leaving certificate accepted. Key Skills level 2 Numeracy and Communication acceptable in lieu of Maths or English. GCSE Statistics GCSE @ C acceptable in lieu of Maths

Please see the UCAS website for equivalent qualifications.

The programme aims to equip graduates for postgraduate study and professional training in an area of psychology. It is especially suited to those considering a career in forensic settings such as the Police, Prison or Probation Services or secure Health Service settings.

For further information and funding your study please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding