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Criminal psychology

Thinking of doing something like criminal psychology in uni but only have English language, sociology and health and social care alevels. Is this okay??
Original post
by Jess7em
Thinking of doing something like criminal psychology in uni but only have English language, sociology and health and social care alevels. Is this okay??

You'd need to check the entry requirements specified by universities which offer such a course.

The only one I'm aware of with exactly that name (Criminal Psychology) is the online one offered by University of Essex, for which the requirement is simply "three A-levels or equivalent". All the other courses are Psychology (Criminal Behaviour), Criminology and Criminal Psychology, Psychology with Criminology, etc.

Those others will have grade requirements, but few (if any) will have subject requirements.

Note, by the way, that if you want to actually practice as a Psychologist, you need to ensure that your undergraduate degree is accredited by the BPS (British Psychology Society). It's only with an accredited degree that you can gain access to the necessary postgraduate qualification.

Reply 2

Original post
by DataVenia
You'd need to check the entry requirements specified by universities which offer such a course.
The only one I'm aware of with exactly that name (Criminal Psychology) is the online one offered by University of Essex, for which the requirement is simply "three A-levels or equivalent". All the other courses are Psychology (Criminal Behaviour), Criminology and Criminal Psychology, Psychology with Criminology, etc.
Those others will have grade requirements, but few (if any) will have subject requirements.
Note, by the way, that if you want to actually practice as a Psychologist, you need to ensure that your undergraduate degree is accredited by the BPS (British Psychology Society). It's only with an accredited degree that you can gain access to the necessary postgraduate qualification.


aahhh this is all so confusing, this is why I think a gap year is so essential for me I just find universities so confusing haha, I’m pretty sure the university of Portsmouth’s course would be okay?
Original post
by Jess7em
aahhh this is all so confusing, this is why I think a gap year is so essential for me I just find universities so confusing haha, I’m pretty sure the university of Portsmouth’s course would be okay?

To which course at Portsmouth are you referring?

They offer Criminal Psychology MSc, but that's a one-year postgraduate qualification.

They also offer Criminology with Psychology BSc (Hons) to be renamed BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology from next year. Your qualifications / subjects are fine for this course. However, it is not accredited by the BPS.

Or perhaps you mean Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons). Your qualifications / subjects are fine for this too, and it is accredited by the BPS.

Do you know what you might like to do after uni, in terms of a career? That might help determine which course is best for you.

Reply 4

Original post
by DataVenia
To which course at Portsmouth are you referring?
They offer Criminal Psychology MSc, but that's a one-year postgraduate qualification.
They also offer Criminology with Psychology BSc (Hons) to be renamed BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology from next year. Your qualifications / subjects are fine for this course. However, it is not accredited by the BPS.
Or perhaps you mean Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons). Your qualifications / subjects are fine for this too, and it is accredited by the BPS.
Do you know what you might like to do after uni, in terms of a career? That might help determine which course is best for you.


I’m still very confused about which path I want to take but very interested in forensic psychology
Original post
by Jess7em
I’m still very confused about which path I want to take but very interested in forensic psychology

Then Portsmouth's Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons) course - which is BPS-accredited - would work. :smile:

Note that to register with the Health & Care Professions Council (which is a legal requirement to be able to use the job title "Forensic Psychologist") you'd also need to take a postgraduate course following your undergraduate degree. That could be a Doctorate or a Postgraduate Diploma - but it must be approved by the HCPC. See a list of currently approved courses here.

Reply 6

Original post
by DataVenia
Then Portsmouth's Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons) course - which is BPS-accredited - would work. :smile:
Note that to register with the Health & Care Professions Council (which is a legal requirement to be able to use the job title "Forensic Psychologist") you'd also need to take a postgraduate course following your undergraduate degree. That could be a Doctorate or a Postgraduate Diploma - but it must be approved by the HCPC. See a list of currently approved courses here.


So I need to do bachelors, masters and doctorate or postgraduate?
Original post
by Jess7em
So I need to do bachelors, masters and doctorate or postgraduate?

The word "postgraduate" is a general term for qualifications you take having graduated (i.e. having completed your undergraduate degree).

Examples of postgraduate qualifications are a master's, a postgraduate diploma, and a doctorate. If you look at the link above, which shows the qualifications approved by the HCPC for Forensic Psychology, you will note that they are all postgraduate diplomas or doctorates. So you would need one or the other, but not both. You would not need a master's.

Reply 8

Original post
by DataVenia
The word "postgraduate" is a general term for qualifications you take having graduated (i.e. having completed your undergraduate degree).
Examples of postgraduate qualifications are a master's, a postgraduate diploma, and a doctorate. If you look at the link above, which shows the qualifications approved by the HCPC for Forensic Psychology, you will note that they are all postgraduate diplomas or doctorates. So you would need one or the other, but not both. You would not need a master's.


That makes so much sense! Thank you so much.
Original post
by Jess7em
That makes so much sense! Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

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