Forensic Psychology (BPS Accredited) (Taught)

Overview

Examine the role of psychologists in legal settings, advances in the psychological understanding of offender behaviour, and assessment and rehabilitation. You’ll critically examine the role of psychology in various forensic settings, demonstrating how theory is applied to real-life situations.

Our masters course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and is the first stage towards gaining registration as a Qualified Forensic Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You’ll explore topics such as police investigations of crime, working with vulnerable groups, jury decision-making, ethical practice, offender rehabilitation, and interpret and report the statistical outcomes of test measurement. We have been commended by the British Psychological Society’s Accreditation group for our outstanding use of technology to teach sensitive topics.

In practical sessions, you might work on case formulations, complete violence risk assessments, group presentations, research reports, and develop a psychometric test manual.

Alongside workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers to help you learn about what it’s like to work in the field. Past speakers include alumni talking about their careers, members of the local police force, and psychologists working in prisons and forensic mental health settings.

Our course lecturers have forensic research and practice experience, and draw on their experience to bring relevant examples to the classes. Some members of staff continue to work in forensic practice alongside their teaching.

Features and benefits

• Accredited course - This course is accredited as Stage 1 MSc Forensic Psychology by the British Psychological Society (BPS), the first stage to becoming a qualified forensic psychologist.

• Contemporary teaching -  Our teaching staff includes practicing researchers, counsellors, and forensic, clinical, health, and community psychologists. Our innovative assignments are reflective of what is expected in forensic practice and include case studies, consultancy and court reports. You’ll benefit from dynamic teaching with use of CAVE, our simulation room, and mock courtroom.

• Reflective practice - You'll have the opportunity to develop your reflective practice skills within the Personal and Professional Development Unit. This a key skill for practitioner psychologists.

• Research active academics -Our staff engage in a wide range of research areas, including police decision-making, trauma, eyewitness testimony and alibi evidence, forensic mental health, terrorism, juror decision-making, and risk assessment and formulation. We actively work with students to publish their dissertations in peer-reviewed journals.

• Enhanced student support - We strongly believe in enhancing student wellbeing. You’ll have a personal tutor and the programme support tutors will also work closely with you throughout the course.

• Outstanding facilities - You’ll have access to our specialist facilities for psychology demonstration and practice, which includes an fNIR imaging research device, and psychology laboratories.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• British Psychological Society