Program Overview

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Postgraduate MSc

Forensic Psychology

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Course

• One year
• Three year

Next enrolment

• September 2025

Introduction

In a nutshell

Get ready for a career in forensic psychology with this British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course. This course will equip you with valuable professional insight and the skills necessary to progress into a career in forensic psychology. You will develop an awareness of the factors that can lead to criminal behaviour and the ways in which individuals can be supported to change. The course will also cover societal factors and disadvantages that contribute to antisocial behaviour, with a focus on victims, trauma, and mental health.

Building on our expert research and practice in the discipline, you will critically evaluate the current knowledge, theory, and evidence base in forensic psychology, while developing the skills and capabilities relevant to professional practice. The programme will utilise a range of practical techniques and research methods applicable to psychological enquiry. Forensic psychology is a growing field in the UK, offering multiple employment routes.

You will:

• Select a case study to explore in-depth throughout the course.
• Practice hands-on skills, such as interviewing and scoring psychological assessments.
• Hear directly from a range of guest lecturers in forensic psychology and related fields.
• Understand psychological theories central to modern forensic psychology practice.
• Receive support from a highly qualified team of research- and practice-informed psychology staff.

Course details

All about the course

This course aims to enable you to develop a detailed knowledge and critical understanding of forensic psychology. You will be supported in pursuing relevant work experience and connecting with our course partners, who are specialists in the field.

The full-time route is structured over 12 months and consists of three 13-week trimesters. In trimesters one and two, you will complete two taught modules in each. In trimester three, you will complete your forensic empirical project under the supervision of one of the course tutors.

The forensic empirical project module will also give you the opportunity to pursue an area of forensic psychology directly related to your own work or interests.

Modules

• Psychology of Criminal Behaviour and Investigation
• Research Methods in Psychology
• Psychological Assessment and Applications
• Psychology of the Legal System and Courtroom
• Forensic Empirical Project

Teaching Staff

• Dr Helen Hart: Programme Lead, Chartered Forensic Psychologist with over 25 years of experience.
• Dr Rachael Thompson: Deputy Programme Lead, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and member of the British Psychological Society and the British Criminological Society.
• Dr Kirstie Turner: Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, Associate Fellow and Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Professor Clare Allely: Professor in Forensic Psychology, affiliate of the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre at Gothenburg University, Sweden.
• Dr Simon Cassidy: Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

You will gain practical skills and develop confidence to work in a range of criminal justice and mental health settings. You may want to continue your professional training towards becoming a forensic psychologist and progress into leadership positions within the field.

Some of our graduates go on to complete a doctorate in Forensic Psychology or pursue further training in related fields such as probation or the police.

A taste of what you could become

• Forensic Psychologist
• Crime Analyst, Researcher
• Prison Group-worker
• Victim Support Worker
• Forensic Mental Health Practitioner

Requirements

What you need to know

Standard entry requirements

• A 2:1 Psychology degree (BPS Accredited) or
• A 2:2 Psychology degree (BPS Accredited) with work experience in a related healthcare setting will be considered on a case-by-case basis

Please note, for BPS accreditation, students must have a first degree that confers graduate basis for chartered status with the BPS (British Psychological Society)

English Language Requirements

• If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications.

Alternative entry requirements

• Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).

Fees

How much?

• Type of study | Year | Fees
• Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,100 per year
• Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,000 per year