For the Forensic Science element of the course, you will gain an in-depth understanding of Forensic Science, taught by academics and forensic professionals, as well as gaining valuable lab and crime scene experience, helping you to stay ahead in this fast moving science. You will cover key forensic areas such as genetics, anthropology, toxicology, ballistics and arson, alongside newer fields such as digital forensics. You will also develop your analytical science skills, so that you are able to analyse any piece of evidence you should encounter. This is complemented by additional emphasis on professional practice and an understanding of the roles of the crime scene investigator and the forensic scientist as an expert witness in the court.

For the Psychology element of the course, Our British Psychological Society accredited courses enable you to explore why humans think, feel, communicate and act in the ways that they do. At Keele you will find out what the latest research tells us about human behaviour and learn how to design and conduct your own psychological studies in our well-equipped labs using a range of techniques.

The course is taught by staff who are actively engaged in research with specialisms in social psychology, developmental psychology, cognition and neuropsychology, biological psychology health and wellbeing and a range of applied areas. The emphasis of the course is on understanding how psychology impacts on everyday life; from developing a sense of self and negotiating personal relationships to influencing judgments about matters of global significance, such as climate change. At Keele we aim to produce psychology graduates who are ready to use their psychology skills and knowledge to make a real difference.

Course structure

Our degree courses are organised into modules. Each module is usually a self-contained unit of study and each is usually assessed separately with the award of credits on the basis of 1 credit = 10 hours of student effort. An outline of the structure of the programme is provided in the tables below.

There are three types of module delivered as part of this programme. They are:

• Compulsory modules: a module that you are required to study on this course;
• Optional modules: these allow you some limited choice of what to study from a list of modules;
• Elective modules: a free choice of modules that count towards the overall credit requirement but not the number of subject-related credits.

Forensic Science -  A summary of the total credit requirements per year is as follows, with a minimum of 90 subject credits (compulsory plus optional) required for each year across both of your Principal Subjects. This document has information about Forensic Science modules only; please also see the document for your other subject.

Year	Compulsory	Optional		Electives
		Min	Max	Min	Max
1	60	0	0	0	0
2	60	0	0	0	0
3*	45	15	15	0	0

* in year 3 there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects, taking a minimum of 90 credits in this subject rather than taking modules from both subjects

Psychology -  A summary of the total credit requirements per year is as follows, with a minimum of 90 subject credits (compulsory plus optional) required for each year across both of your Principal Subjects. This document has information about Psychology modules only; please also see the document for your other subject.

Year	Compulsory	Optional		Electives
		Min	Max	Min	Max
1	60	0	15	0	0
2	60	0	0	0	0
3*	45	0	15	0	0

* in year 3 there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects, taking a minimum of 90 credits in this subject rather than taking modules from both subjects

Year 1 (Level 4)

Forensic Science Year 1 (Level 4)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Chemical Science Principles	15	None
Forensic Science Principles	15
Forensic Analysis	15
Forensic Identification	15

Psychology Year 1 (Level 4)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology	15	Understanding self and others better: an introduction to counselling theories	15
Introduction to Research Design	15	Distress and Mental Health	15
Introduction to Biological & Cognitive Psychology	15	Natural, unnatural, supernatural: the psychology of unusual phenomena	15
Introduction to Statistics for Psychology	15	Applied Psychology	15

Year 2 (Level 5)

Forensic Science Year 2 (Level 5)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Advanced Spectroscopic Analysis	15	None
Forensic Genetics	15
Criminalistic Methods	15
Drugs of Abuse	15

Psychology Year 2 (Level 5)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Developmental & Social Psychology	15	None
Qualitative and Survey Research Design	15
Biological and Cognitive Psychology	15
Statistics for Psychology	15

Year 3 (Level 6)

Forensic Science Year 3 (Level 6)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Forensic Science Team Research Project	15	Forensic Geoscience	15
Forensic Toxicology	15	Advanced Topics in Forensic Analysis	15
Evaluation of Evidence: Explosives and Arson	15

Psychology Year 3 (Level 6)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Final Year Project	30	Psychology in Education	15
Individual Differences and Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology	15	Making a Difference with Psychology	15
		The Psychology of Deviance	15
		Groups, Crowds and Conflict	15
		Faces, Forgetting and Forensic Psychology	15
		Health Psychology	15

Note: Students who take semester-long Study Abroad in Year 2 can take ‘Research Methods in Social and Developmental Psychology for Third Year Study Abroad Students’ in Year 3 as an Optional module if required in order to fulfil BPS accreditation requirements.

 

If you choose to specialise in Forensic Science in your final year you will study the following modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Forensic Science Team Research Project	15	Forensic Geoscience	15
Forensic Toxicology	15	Advanced Topics in Forensic Analysis	15
Evaluation of Evidence: Explosives and Arson	15
Forensic Science Dissertation	15
Interpretation, Evaluation & Presentation of Evidence	30

If you choose to specialise in Psychology in your final year you will study the following modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Final Year Project	30	Psychology in Education	15
Individual Differences and Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology	15	Making a Difference with Psychology	15
Key Readings in Cognitive Psychology	15	The Psychology of Deviance	15
Culture and Psychology	15	Groups, Crowds and Conflict	15
		Faces, Forgetting and Forensic Psychology	15
		Health Psychology	15
		Current Perspectives on Autism	15
		Everyday Memory & Amnesia	15
		Happiness and Wellbeing	15

For further information on the content of modules currently offered please visit: www.keele.ac.uk/recordsandexams/az

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.

A Level requirements

• A Level requirement ABC/BBB
  
• A level Chemistry or Biology at grade B or above. A Pass in Science Practical will be required if applicant is taking A level Biology or Chemistry (England) **

GCSE requirements

• Maths at C (or 4)
• English Language at C (or 4)

BTEC

• BTEC requirements DDD
• You must have taken sufficient Science units, please contact us for advice.

International Baccalaureate

• 32 points to include Higher Level Chemistry or Biology at 6 or above.

Access to HE Diploma requirements

• Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction. You must have taken sufficient Chemistry/Biology credits, please contact us for advice.

Please note

*     Reformed GCSE grades for England are stated in brackets
**   Science practical only required from applicants taking reformed A level Biology, Chemistry or Physics in England
*** If applicant has not had opportunity to sit AS level in England, please contact the Admissions team

View our money advice and guidance section for information on tuition fees.

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money advice and guidance section.

Keele enjoys high rates of graduate employment, where in 2016, were recognised nationally as 1st for employability in the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey.

Equipped with key scientific skills, practical experience and vital communication, team working and problem-solving abilities, you will become an independent scientist who will offer a great deal to prospective employers. Graduates of Forensic Science have progressed to a range of different careers, including, within the forensic science sector, analytical laboratories, and teaching.

By completing a Psychology degree from Keele, you are taking the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and a requirement for further study and training for a career in psychology. You could take up any number of very interesting careers in psychology, perhaps working as a neuropsychologist or as a clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, occupational or sports psychologist.

Whatever path you choose in your working life, the Keele Psychology degree aims to develop a psychological perspective on human behaviour which is valued in a huge range of careers. Many of our graduates choose to pursue exciting careers beyond psychology, including in education, health, social care, management, marketing and many more.