You'll explore forensic psychological topics by examining a variety of real criminal cases. This includes studying cases like that of the Yorkshire Ripper (to learn about investigative decision making), Raoul Moat (to learn about crisis negotiation), and the September 11 bombing (to learn about terrorism). Through such cases, you'll see how psychology can contribute to a better understanding of crime, offenders and criminal investigations.
The research you engage with will be drawn from a variety of cutting-edge areas, including cybercrime and terrorism, as well as some of the classic research topics that present challenges for forensic psychology. Some of the topics covered include:
The module helps you to understand how psychological research is conducted and how to read, evaluate and apply psychological research. You'll learn how to search for, utilise and communicate existing research within this area. Crucially you will learn how to select and evaluate research that answers specific real-world questions/issues and how to explain what such research tells us about such questions/issues to different professional and lay audiences. In this context, you will have the opportunity to apply what you have learned to real-world issues and fictitious crime cases (e.g. communicating research findings relating to a case or issue to a judge, documentary makers, policymakers, or members of the public).
Finally, you will specialise in an area of your choice and pursue your own independent dissertation project (based on literature research) on your chosen issue or topic. Your work on this dissertation project will be supported and supervised by your tutor. In addition, the learning materials are designed to prepare you for your dissertation project by teaching you the skills needed to carry out this project. The project will take the form of an extensive literature review and discussion. As part of this project, you will be asked to link your findings to a real-world/practice problem/issue and inform a lay or professional audience about your findings. You will not carry out your own primary data collection or research.
By studying this module, you will learn how to:
You'll also learn about:
The module is relevant for students who want to pursue careers using forensic psychological knowledge but do not require BPS-accredited status in Forensic Psychology. The module is relevant for all those working in related sectors who feel that knowing more about forensic psychological topics will complement their existing skills and knowledge, and broaden their professional perspective. This includes those working in the criminal justice system, police, probation, prisons, legal professions, third-sector organisations, government departments, education or social work.
This module, as part of the MSc in Forensic Psychological Studies (F73), is not suitable for psychology graduates who specifically want to achieve the British Psychological Society recognised status as a chartered Forensic Psychologist. Students wishing to do this are advised to seek an accredited MSc programme.
You will be allocated a tutor who has relevant knowledge of forensic psychology, and they will support you from the very start through to completing your dissertation project. Teaching is all online and will be delivered via online tutorials, forum interactions and, where needed, email contact.
Course work includes:
The module is delivered entirely online. Comprehensive guidance and support is available via a module website which includes:
You can only study this module as part of specific Open University qualifications.
DD802 is a compulsory module in our:
Investigating forensic psychology starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2027.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
This module cannot be studied on a standalone basis. To register, you will need to have successfully completed Principles of social and psychological inquiry (DD801) and satisfied the entry requirements for the MSc in Forensic Psychological Studies.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader (and where applicable, mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way). Other alternative formats of the module materials may be available in the future. Where independent literature searches are conducted, the module team cannot guarantee that all materials found via the library are screen reader compatible. However, there will always be sufficient alternatives to ensure students can complete compulsory assignments.
| Start | End | Register by | England fee |
|---|
| 03 Oct 2026 | 31 Oct 2027 | 17 Sep 2026 | Not yet available* |
| *This start date is open for pre-booking, which means you can reserve your place ahead of the fees being confirmed. We’ll publish updated 2026/27 fees and funding information on the 25th of March. |
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in England.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate tuition fee loans in Northern Ireland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Scotland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Wales.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Joint loan applications
If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.
As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
