Networking opportunities

There are guest speakers from the field of criminal justice, including practising psychologists and other professionals in the field. You’ll gain experience in research skills, and also learn about ongoing personal and professional development – as well as ethical practice in forensic psychology.
 

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

The course has a blended learning approach. You'll attend four 'block weeks' of 5 days in October, November, February and March. 

During the block weeks you'll participate in workshop-based activities on topics in forensic psychology. The rest of your learning will be undertaken online, with screencasts, online activities and discussion threads.

You learn through

• workshop-based activities on campus
• independent study
• online activities
• guest lecturers
• screencasts

This course prepares you to go on to Stage 2 of the chartership process, or further postgraduate study such as a PhD.

The course also prepares you for a career in

• crime analysis
• the police officer
• research
• interventions
• psychology
• appropriate adult services
• youth justice and probation

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

You should have successfully completed an undergraduate honours degree in psychology (2:1 or above). Undergraduate honours degrees in criminology or other relevant disciplines may also be considered. It would be helpful if your previous studies included research methods.

If you have successfully completed an undergraduate honours degree in psychology (or other relevant discipline) with a 2:2, you may be considered if you can satisfy the course team that you have the ability to complete the course (e.g., through evidence significant work experience in criminal justice, or successful completion of other relevant postgraduate study). For example, your work experience could be in the voluntary sector in youth justice, support work, drug rehabilitation, or programme facilitation.

If your undergraduate degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC) of the BPS. This means that by completing the MSc Forensic Psychology, you will fulfil Stage 1 of the requirements towards chartered membership of the BPS and full membership of the Division of Forensic Psychology.

If your undergraduate degree is not accredited by the BPS, you can gain eligibility for the GBC of the BPS through alternative routes. Such routes include BPS acceptance of an overseas psychology degree, or undertaking a conversion course such as a BPS accredited MSc in Psychology.

If English is not your first language or your undergraduate degree was not conducted in English, then you will be required to have an English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS (or equivalent) band 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in writing.

Please note that closing date is the 25th April 2022, and all applications will be considered on Monday 2nd May 2022.

When completing your application form, please keep in mind that the selection panel will be considering the following:

• your grades

• your relevant work experience (paid or voluntary), or planned

• your personal statement, which should reflect your understanding of forensic psychology, and careers in this field, explain why you wish to undertake the course, and how the course fits in with your career aspirations. Try to include reference to the course-specific modules, and give some evidence as to how these fit with your particular interests. You should also discuss any relevant research you have undertaken during other studies, and what research interests you would like to pursue during the course.

As there are very limited places available on the MSc Forensic Psychology, it is important that your application form is completed fully and you cover the points indicated above in clear and concise detail. We reserve the right not to consider incomplete applications.

The selection panel may also invite applicants to attend a brief interview as part of the application process, which can be either face-to-face or via Skype.

Important notice:

The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.