Curious about studying Criminal Psychology with Foundation Yearat Bucks New University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
High Wycombe Campus
Full Time
Sep 2026
4 Year
BSc (Hons) Criminal Psychology course blends psychological theory with real-world offending, victimology, policing and the Criminal Justice System. You'll explore everything from criminal profiling and mental health assessments to the psychology of investigations and courtroom decision-making.
With hands-on learning, state-of-the-art facilities and expert lecturers, this degree prepares you for a career that makes a real difference, whether in law enforcement, rehabilitation, research, or beyond.
BNU offers a unique opportunity to explore the psychology of the mind in relation to offending, victimology, policing, and the Criminal Justice System. Through this comprehensive approach, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the psychology of law enforcement, rehabilitation, and recovery processes.
You will develop the skills to analyse the psychological and situational factors that contribute to offending behaviour, understand the experiences and responses of victims, and examine the decision-making processes used within the Criminal Justice System.
In your final year, you will build on the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course by undertaking an independent research project, allowing you to explore a topic of personal interest in depth. This criminal psychology degree not only enables you to specialise in a chosen area but also equips you with a broad range of valuable skills, such as critically evaluating information, analysing data, and presenting findings effectively.
Upon graduation, you will possess a strong set of transferable skills that enhance your employability across a wide variety of career paths, both within criminal psychology and in related sectors. Whether you're interested in teaching, local government, the charity sector, the prison and probation services, or beyond, this course prepares you for success in numerous professional contexts.
Additionally, the course provides the academic foundation required to pursue chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS). You will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is the first step toward becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
This module provides the opportunity for you to explore specific applied areas of psychology according to your own interests, chosen programme of study, and professional aspirations. Areas of applied focus are guided by professional contexts in which psychologists may be employed and in which it is possible to work towards chartered status.
This module explores how psychology is fundamentally all around us. Each week will explore a contemporary area of psychology and consider how the theories, research, and knowledge are grounded in the real world. The module will examine issues from the mundane to the unexpected and will challenge your preconceptions.
This module introduces two of the core subject areas proposed by the British Psychological Society by exploring the relative contribution of 'nature' and 'nurture' in human development. The module will take a lifespan perspective, examining biological, cognitive, emotional, and social development from infancy to late adulthood.
This module introduces research methods and data analysis. Active participation will help you gain the ability to critically evaluate the empirical work of others. You will develop understanding of a variety of key statistical tests used to analyse and interpret psychological data.
This module introduces three of the core subject areas proposed by the British Psychological Society (cognitive psychology, individual differences, and social psychology) by exploring how psychologists seek to make sense of the mind, personality and individual differences, and our relationships with others.
Building on learning, this module provides an opportunity to look at concepts of personality and human development in an experiential and authentic way. The module aims to empower you to investigate the foundations, structures, and dynamics that influence the development of the self in the context of their world.
The aim of this module is to introduce you to a range of psychological theories and research used to understand offending behaviour. A variety of empirically grounded typologies and models of offending will be explored with respect to different crimes. Each will draw upon risk factors ranging from psycho-social to biological and neurological.
The aim of this module is to introduce a range of psychological theories and research used to understand the interaction between mental health and offending behaviour. We will examine categories of mental disorder which may be associated with offending behaviour; and explore the application of these theories.
This module introduces you to key aspects that underlie qualitative psychological research. Throughout the module, you will develop an understanding of relevant theoretical issues and engage in practical tasks designed to facilitate learning, which will lead to a written report that demonstrates planning and qualitative research techniques.
This module provides you with a range of practical skills and an appreciation of the conceptual issues associated with major quantitative paradigms commonly used in psychological quantitative research. It aims to foster an understanding of the nature, purpose, and logic of experimental and psychological assessment methods.
This module has been designed to examine the biological and cognitive bases of behaviour, both human and non-human. The module will build on the knowledge gained at year one including the core elements of both biopsychology and cognitive psychology.
The module will provide you with an awareness of the historical and philosophical background of social psychology and an in-depth knowledge of contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches to it.
In preparing for potential careers in the forensic field, various practice issues and challenges are discussed within the context of various stages of the Criminal Justice System, this includes an understanding of the legislative and regulatory nature of the Forensic Science profession.
This module will examine leading theoretical perspectives on the causes of violent interpersonal crime and the discipline of victimology. The range of theories will span a broad array of psychosocial perspectives from evolutionary psychology through to cultural and historical explanations for violence.
This module provides you with a supportive and enabling framework for undertaking an independent extended research study project in an area that interests you. It allows you to extend and deepen your knowledge and expertise within this focused area of study. You will select, design, and construct an in-depth exploration of a topic of your choice.
Foundation Year
Foundation Year
Delivery of this module is based on 'confirmation inquiry' ? a foundational level of inquiry geared for developing your understanding of key concepts and themes as well as basic methodologies and approaches to academic work, relevant to your discipline. You?ll then have the opportunity to analyse a problem or question that relates to your subject area.
Foundation Year
On this module, we will prepare you for successful progression into academic study while allowing you to learn about and prepare yourself for employment in the twenty-first century through inquiry-based learning, problem solving and critical and creative thinking.
Foundation Year
This module enables you to begin developing the Bucks Graduate Attributes associated with leadership and self-development and social and ethical awareness and responsibility, which are essential for success in higher education and in the world of work.
4.4Bucks New University (BNU) is a student-focused university based in High Wycombe, with over 130 years of educational his...
