Brayford Pool
3 Years
6 Years
C890
Psychology brings together the scientific study of behaviour, the mind, and neurophysiological functioning in an attempt to understand what makes us human, and why we think the way we do. The BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic Psychology degree at Lincoln provides you with an opportunity to gain an understanding of the core concepts and practices in psychology in general, along with a level of specialised knowledge in forensic psychology.
The course aims to offer a realistic insight into the day-to-day work of a forensic psychologist. Within forensic-related modules, students can gain an understanding of the motives, mind-sets, and behaviours of people who commit various crimes, as well as the assessment and treatment of offence-related risk factors.
Students can also study the processes within the criminal justice system, including courts and post-conviction forensic settings, such as prisons. Teaching on the course includes content from both registered forensic psychologists and expert researchers within the field of forensic psychology.
Subject area is ranked top ten overall in the UK*
Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
Attend trips, talks, and social activities through the student-led Psychology
A range of optional modules
Specialist facilities including sleep, EEG, and psychophysiology labs
Guest lectures from industry professionals
*Complete University Guide 2025 (out of 36 ranking institutions).
Depending on the level and topic of content, teaching can be delivered in large lectures, small seminars, workshops, computer-based laboratory sessions, and tutorials. Most modules involve two hours a week of timetabled teaching, with independent study expected outside of these hours.
There are dedicated Psychology Labs for student projects as well as the research labs that you may use as part of your final year research project.
Course materials are posted to an online virtual learning environment to supplement face to face teaching and to support onsite and remote study.
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This module aims to introduce students to a wide range of topics outlining the structure and functions of the brain and nervous system, and the relationship between these brain structures and the behaviours, both covert and overt, resulting from them. The module serves as the foundation for the second year core module in cognition, and a number of elective modules expand on ideas introduced here.
This module provides an introduction to three major areas of psychological theory and research, Developmental, Social and Individual psychology. The topics are covered in Semesters A and B respectively and grouped thematically. Content across all topics is embedded in the context of major, relevant general, developmental, social and individual differences theories.
This is an introductory module introducing the theory, research, and practice in Forensic Psychology. In the module students consider aspects of investigation and policing and particular types of major crime offending. The module will then move on to consider the courts and the dispersal of convicted offenders/patients into forensic settings such as prisons and secure units. This will also include a focus on assessment of risk and treatment programmes.
The module will introduce students to science-backed tools and habits that they can use to improve their own skills, social awareness and wellbeing, and to enhance their own lives as psychological literate citizens. Students will typically develop skills in scientific and psychological literacy, critical thinking, self-reflection, written and oral communication and teamwork.
The module extends the investigations of cognition that began in the first year. Areas critical to our understanding of cognition are considered in more depth, with consideration of both classic and current research into cognitive processes from both a cognitive and cognitive neuroscience approach.
This module aims to examine the concepts, theories, research methods and influencing factors in child development relevant to the period from birth to pre-adolescence.
The module aims to provide an introduction into psychological assessments using psychometrics, including questionnaires and scales. Based on the established theoretical and research context, this module will consider a range of assessment tools used in psychology to assess an individual’s behaviour or behavioural disposition, and provide an introduction into psychometric test development. The modules also aims to provide students with the opportunity to administer, score, and interpret psychological tests.
The module provides an introduction to the prison context. Based on established theoretical, research and operational context, the module will critically examine the various departments and functions within prisons in order to provide a greater understanding of the psychological experiences of people detained within prison custody. The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the complexity of prisons, predominantly in England and Wales, and will provide opportunities for critical debate to analyse and synthesise module content.
This module seeks to explore 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.
This module aims to introduce students to the main theories that have been developed to explain various forms of offending behaviour. Students can critically examine a range of offending behaviours in terms of their aetiology. Both seminal and up-to-date empirical research studies will also be covered to help in the critical appraisal of the theories covered.
In addition, the field of mental health as it applies to offending behaviour (e.g., personality disorders) will also be examined, allowing for some of the content from the Mental Health and Disorder module to be applied in a forensic context. By introducing students to the systematic use and application of psychological theory and scientific methods within a forensic context, and applying them in a reflective and critical way, the module aims to contributes to students’ development as competent scientist-practitioners.
This optional, year-long module enables students to spend a year studying abroad at one of the University’s approved partner institutions. Eligible students must have completed their second year of study to a satisfactory standard and successfully completed the application process for the year abroad. During the year spent abroad, students share classes with local students and study on a suite of locally-delivered taught modules which have been approved in advance by the University. Upon their return, as part of the assessment for this modules, students are required to critically reflect upon their experience of living and studying in a different cultural environment and the skills acquired.
This module aims to create a valuable opportunity for students to gain important insights and improve their skills and prospects relevant to employment or further study (i.e. within psychology or related subject areas) by undertaking relevant work experience.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, and contact hours.
The aims of the module assessments are to provide a measure of the development and attainment of course 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 course. Assessments at levels one and two are designed to focus on the acquisition and understanding of knowledge and skills. In contrast, level three assessments aim to place far greater emphasis on the ability to apply, analyse, and evaluate knowledge.
Examples of assessment methods that may be used include coursework, such as written assignments, research reports, research diaries, research or clinical proposals, or dissertations; practical exams, such as oral and poster presentations, performances or observations; and written exams (including essay-based exams), such as formal examinations or in-class tests (including multiple-choice tests and short-answer questions).
The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC) the first step towards becoming a chartered psychologist. The BPS is the main professional body representing psychology and psychologists in the UK.
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You can choose to take a year out between year two and your final year of study. You'll be able to select one of the following options:
International Study
This option provides an opportunity to explore study in a new overseas culture and environment at one of the University's approved partner institutions. Choosing this option leads to (International Study) being added to your award title upon successful completion of the course. You can find out more on our Global Opportunities webpage.
A Study Abroad Tuition Fee is payable to the University of Lincoln during this year for students joining in 2025/26 and beyond. No extra tuition fee is payable to the host university, but students are expected to cover their own travel, accommodation, and living costs. Travel grants and an overseas rate maintenance loan may be available for eligible students from Student Finance. The University’s Global Opportunities Team can provide further support and guidance.
Work Experience
This option offers the opportunity to enhance your personal and professional development by gaining experience in a real workplace setting, which could help develop the skills relevant to future employment or further study. Selecting this option leads to (Work Experience) being added to your award title upon successful completion of the course.
A Placement Year Fee is payable to the University of Lincoln during this year for students joining in 2025/26 and beyond. Students are expected to cover their own travel, accommodation, and living costs.
New students can join groups within the school including those that support LGBTQIA+, disability, BAME, mature students, commuters, and carers. Students can also join DigiPsych, our on-line magazine run for students by students in the School of Psychology. DigiPsych publishes anything that may be of interest to psychology students including reviews of psychological and non-psychological articles, stories, and opinion pieces.
Moreover, we have a weekly programme of guest lecturers invited from all over the world. Previous speakers for our special Lincoln International Seminars include Elizabeth Loftus. In addition to our work experience opportunities, many modules include employer presentations and activities. Students can also meet employers at our annual Psychology Works careers fair.
Students are also encouraged to network with our alumni. We have approximately 100 graduates from Psychology, representing a variety of professional roles, offering networking, and mentoring to current students.
Our School aims to produce critical thinkers and independent researchers who are able to tackle psychological problems and issues using a systematic, critical, and analytical approach.
As part of this process, first year students undertake training in areas important to psychological research, such as using statistics software. In the second year, students may be able to utilise these skills by working alongside an academic supervisor to conduct an original research project. This culminates with students being able to undertake a substantial research study of their own for the dissertation component of their degree.
In addition to the taught components of research, students are encouraged to participate in the research culture of the School more broadly, with the opportunity to be involved as volunteers in research activities, such as our Summer Scientist programme, and to compete for paid studentships offered by the University of Lincoln and the British Psychological Society to conduct further research over the summer, typically in between the second and third year of the course.
We also have a number of active research groups within the School. These are conducting exciting research into areas such as developmental, cognitive, social, forensic, and psychological health within the School, and you can read more on our Research webpage. Current research questions being explored by our staff and students include exploring prison and probationary work, courtroom practices, and understanding criminal behaviour.
The University has invested £19 million in the Sarah Swift Building, a dedicated facility for the School of Psychology. Our range of specialist research laboratories allow you to gain practical experience. You will also have access to IT suites and technical staff who can offer support in the design and execution of experiments and assistance with specialist software.
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The EEG lab allows our researchers to identify activation patterns in the cerebrum, in response to stimuli, to find out when and which parts of the brain respond to these.
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Research in this lab investigates how visual cognition is shaped and influenced by our environment, experience and knowledge. Current research is examining how visual cues are processed in the brain.
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Research here categorises conceptual development including speech perception, language acquisition - particularly word learning and grammar.
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The Molecular laboratory houses a contained wet lab for chemical and biological analyses on site and stores samples from participants before, during, and after processing and analysis.
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This dedicated facility conducts full polysomnography, actigraphy, home sleep monitoring, and computerised behavioural testing in the areas of neuroscience, sleep, and wellbeing.
Lincoln provided me with the best four years of my life. The staff were supportive, knowledgeable, and always had time for me. They helped shape and develop my skills so that I was prepared for my career in psychology. Even now after graduating, they still have time for me.
Verity Harris
BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology
This programme provides Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS). As a graduate from this degree, you will be well-placed to consider further professional training in psychology This course is designed for those considering a career in forensic settings such as the police, prison, and probation services, or secure health service settings.
112 to 120 UCAS Tariff points.
This must be achieved from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications. For example:
A Level: BBC to BBB
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction Distinction Merit
T Level: Merit Overall
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 112 to 120 UCAS points to be achieved from 45 Level 3 credits.
International Baccalaureate: 30 points overall.
GCSE: Minimum of three at grade 4 or above, which must include English and Maths . Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
We may also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/
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If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
Please note application assessment criteria may vary by country and we may close to applications from some domiciles. Please view the Your Country pages of our website before making an application.
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.
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