Forensic Psychologists work as scientist-practitioners in the domains of criminal investigation, policing, courts, probation, criminal and civil justice systems, secure clinical settings, offender management and private practice.

This British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited (pending) Forensic Psychology MSc course will provide you with Stage 1 empirical and theoretical knowledge necessary to enable you to move to complete the next stage of professional training (BPS Stage 2 or Health Care Practitioner Council (HCPC) route).

You’ll gain a critical academic understanding of the factors that may contribute to a wide variety of forms of offending. You’ll be encouraged to consider the role and limitations of causal explanations for offending in the development of offender treatments and services. This course will prepare you to work in settings where forensic psychology is practised, providing you with the key skills , from inter-disciplinary working, risk for violence assessment, vulnerability and ethics, to continuing professional development and report writing. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with knowledge of the legal system and the role of a forensic psychologist, as well as the ways theory and research in psychology can be applied to legal issues.

The course explores current topics within Forensic Psychology, including Vulnerability and Neurodiversity in Criminal Justice, Sexual and Violent Crime, Investigative Psychology, and Ethical Practice. These topics, plus the opportunity to complete a Forensic Volunteering placement and the application of real-world data in our Forensic Data Analysis module ensure that you’ll graduate ready to begin work as a trainee Forensic Psychologist and apply your learning to real cases and scenarios. Professional accreditation

This course is pending accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Once accreditation has been granted, this course will provide you with Stage 1 empirical and theoretical knowledge necessary to enable you to move to complete the next stage of professional training (BPS Stage 2 or Health Care Practitioner Council (HCPC) route).

Careers

The Forensic Psychology MSc course is a prerequisite for pursuing Stage 2 training leading to Registration with the HCPC as a Forensic Psychologist. This route is only available if you have Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the BPS. (Note: accreditation pending).

Graduates from the course will be equipped to work as trainees or assistant psychologists in various settings, including prisons, probation services, forensic mental health units, the NHS and various charities. Graduates may also be eligible for further study opportunities and advanced training in research and practice, such as a professional doctorate in Forensic Psychology.