Program Overview

Forensic and Criminological Psychology MSc

Course Overview

The MSc aims to advance students’ knowledge and skills acquired at undergraduate level, providing an in-depth knowledge of the discipline of forensic psychology. It covers academic research and theory and applied practice within the Criminal Justice and Forensic Mental Health Systems.

The course receives unique input from currently practising forensic psychologists and other applied professionals, enabling students to develop a critical awareness of current issues, standards and developments in the field.

The course is offered by the Centre for Forensic and Family Psychology (CFFP) under the Academic Unit of Mental Health and Neurosciences, School of Medicine. The MSc programme adheres to a taught degree structure, and as such, students are registered as a Postgraduate Taught Student (PGT); applying the policies, procedures, and regulations for Postgraduate Taught Programmes at the University of Nottingham.

You can choose to complete this programme in one year through full-time study or two years through part-time study.

Professional Organisations

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and fulfils stage 1 of the BPS professional training in forensic psychology. The BPS is the learned and professional body, incorporated by Royal Charter, for psychology in the United Kingdom. The key objective of the Society is ‘to promote the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of psychology pure and applied and especially to promote the efficiency and usefulness of members by setting up a high standard of professional education and knowledge’.

A proportion of students who complete Stage 1, may later go on to complete Stage 2 training. Stage 2 training forms the basis for registration as a Forensic Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), and is offered through other courses at the Centre for Forensic and Family Psychology. For this reason, the MSc closely draws upon relevant frameworks and standards from both the BPS and HCPC.

Why Choose This Course?

• Evidence-based: Ethics, professional practice and research are all emphasised to provide a firm grounding for further professional training and practice
• Established course: We have been training future forensic psychologists at the University of Nottingham since 2010
• Experts in the field: Learn from registered practitioners and published researchers at a world-renowned University
• BPS accredited: Complete stage 1 of the professional accreditation route to becoming a qualified forensic psychologist

Course Content

MSc students will attend the University during which they study five core forensic psychology modules, attend research methods and statistics training, and complete a research project/dissertation. Part-time students will access the same modules and content, and are expected to attend the University for required teaching, dispersed across two years.

• Forensic Mental Health (20 credits)
• Legal Psychology: Policing, Crime and Justice (10 credits)
• Forensic Organisational Psychology (10 credits)
• Forensic Practice Interventions (20 credits)
• Qualitative Research Methods (10 credits)
• Applied Forensic Analytical Methods (10 credits)
• Forensic Psychology Research Dissertation (60 credits)

Learning and Assessment

• How you will learn: Through lectures, seminars and workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to develop theoretical and clinical skills.
• How you will be assessed: Each of the above modules assess students’ progress through diverse pieces of coursework measuring comprehension through both written and verbal communication.

Entry Requirements

• Home / UK students: 2:1 in psychology (or international equivalent) recognised by the BPS as conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with a minimum grade of 60% overall, plus 60% in your final research project.
• EU / International students: 2:1 in psychology (or international equivalent) recognised by the BPS as conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with a minimum grade of 60% overall, plus 60% in your final research project.
• Alternative qualifications: We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

Fees

• Home / UK: To be confirmed
• International: To be confirmed

Funding

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

Careers

• Careers advice: We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.
• Job prospects: 78.9% of postgraduate taught students from the School of Psychology secured graduate level employment or further graduate study within 15 months of graduation.
• Accreditation: This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This provides the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, which is required for entry to many postgraduate professional psychology programmes.