Forensic Psychology (Taught)

Choose your start date.
You have six opportunities to join this course throughout the year.

Course Overview
The course offers a thorough grounding in the theoretical and practical knowledge, issues and skills central to forensic psychological practice and the wide-ranging criminal justice settings, such as prison services, national security, academia and research.

• Accreditation: accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)1, completing this course fulfils the BPS Stage 1 requirements, placing you on the path towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and a full member of the Division of Forensic Psychology.

• Modern curriculum: explore psychological theory throughout the criminal justice process, from investigation and punishment to working with forensic clients, assessing risk and managing complex cases.

• Career-focused: blend theory with real-world application to gain a deep understanding of the subject and develop a range of practice-based, transferable skills essential for your career.

• Why you should study this course*

Explore current issues in forensic psychology, evaluate modern practices and develop expertise to drive innovation in the field. Through real-world case studies, refine your professional and ethical approaches, preparing for a career in criminal justice, rehabilitation, law enforcement or research.

• Expert staff: learn from our staff who teach the latest knowledge and directly engage with the realities of forensic psychology, ensuring you receive the most up-to-date and relevant education. (Staff are subject to change.)

• Industry voices: gain first-hand knowledge from professionals across external organisations, including prison services, police, criminal justice agencies and charities. These experiences should help you develop key professional skills and build industry connections.

• Skills development: from effective communication and problem-solving to ethical decision-making, this course equips you to work with diverse forensic client groups and make a real impact in various forensic settings.

• Applied learning: our hands-on, active learning model allows you to apply theory to practice through case studies, discussions and skill-building activities, reflecting the challenges faced by forensic psychology professionals.

Accreditation and professional recognition
British Psychological Society
This course is currently accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for the 2025-26 intakes.

This course is designed to fulfil Stage 1 requirements for becoming a Chartered Psychologist, provided you also possess the required Graduate Basis for Chartership. To be eligible for Chartership, you must also have an accredited undergraduate psychology degree or have completed an accredited conversion course before starting this MSc. For complete details, please visit the BPS website.

Collaborations
Endorsement by the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)
Coventry University and the RSA have collaborated on a module concerning social and ethical responsibility. You will be entitled to a 12-month fellowship of the RSA so you can access all RSA resources and platforms during your period of study. Once you have successfully passed the Project Planning and Ethics module, you will receive an RSA digital credential.

For the latest information, please view our website.