MSc Forensic Psychology (BPS accredited)

To give you a thorough understanding of forensic psychology, you’ll study core curriculum content from the British Psychological Society (BPS). This includes the application and use of assessment tools within forensic practice and applying psychology to legal processes. You’ll look at how we assess offenders within forensic settings and how we apply theory to practice.

Some of the areas you’ll typically explore include the role of psychologists in the criminal and civil courts and offender assessment. You’ll consider interviewing and eyewitness testimony in different types of victims of crime and witnesses, as well as psychological measurement.

You’ll also learn practical skills in how to conduct risk assessments, such as the completion of HCR-20v3 (a set of assessment guidelines that helps you to consider an individual's risk of violent offending). Our creatively-taught Research Methods module ensures that you develop enhanced skills in Quantitative and Qualitative data analysis.

Alongside building your academic knowledge of forensic psychology, we’ll help you to develop skills in communication (including presenting), report writing, analytical thinking, and reflective practice. These are transferable skills that you’ll be able to use across your career.

Some of our areas of expertise in forensic psychology include post-traumatic growth, juror decision making, forensic mental health, eyewitness testimony and alibi evidence, psychological wellbeing of practitioners, and risk formulation.

When you successfully complete this course, you’ll fulfil stage one of the requirements towards practitioner Psychologist registration with the HCPC.

The MSc Forensic Psychology course is only open to applicants who have a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree (or equivalent through an accredited conversion course). International students will have to provide evidence that their degree meets the BPS requirements.

A 2:1 or above in a BPS-accredited psychology undergraduate degree (or equivalent through a psychology conversion course) conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) is typically required.

International applicants have to show evidence that their undergraduate degree is eligible for GBC. Applicants must contact the British Psychological Society independently to verify this and upload the proof along with their application. For information, please check the BPS website.

Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification. Accepted English qualifications can be viewed here.