Forensic Psychology - MSc
Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry.
Want to study a Forensic Psychology Master’s in Birmingham? Our MSc Forensic Psychology course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides the first step (Stage 1) towards gaining chartered status as a forensic psychologist....
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time/Part Time
- Location City Centre
- Award MSc
- Start date September 2024
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Social Sciences
- Faculty Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
Want to study a Forensic Psychology Master’s in Birmingham? Our MSc Forensic Psychology course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides the first step (Stage 1) towards gaining chartered status as a forensic psychologist.
In this course you will learn about some of the most dangerous offenders in society and their victims, the various approaches to assisting police with their enquires (investigative psychology), the Criminal Justice System from a psychological perspective, the role of forensic psychologists in various forensic settings, and you will develop skills that will prepare you for Stage 2 training or further postgraduate studies.
This course will also enhance your research skills and knowledge, through teaching you how to design high-level research projects, conduct statistical analysis, and to evaluate and scientifically report research findings.
The core aim of the course is to prepare you to work with clients and professionals in a range of forensic and forensic-related settings. Equipped with a sound knowledge of key theoretical and applied issues in forensic psychology, you will gain not only a critical appreciation of theoretical and factual concepts, but an awareness of the strengths and limitations of research evidence. The course integrates psychological theory with the development of practical skills and an understanding of professional practice.
What's covered in this course?
The aims of the course are to:
- Equip you with a detailed critical understanding of the key theoretical and applied issues in forensic psychology, including investigative psychology procedures, the court system, the development of offending behaviour, the assessment and treatment of offenders, and the effects of offending on victims
- Provide an understanding of forensic psychology techniques and the roles of other criminal justice professionals in the detection, prosecution, assessment and treatment of offenders
- Enable you to acquire an advanced ability to design research, conduct statistical analysis, and evaluate and scientifically report research in forensic psychology
- Enhance your skills in communication, group work, professionalism and application of IT so that you can perform at a high level of competence in these areas
- Satisfy the academic requirements for Master’s-level knowledge as set out by the Division for Forensic Psychology of the British Psychological Society
On successful completion of the course, you will be able to demonstrate an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the key issues in forensic psychology of relevance to both academics and practitioners. Graduates of this course are expected to have developed advanced academic, intellectual and professional skills, with the ability to work autonomously and in team.
You will be taught by experts in the field of forensic psychology with a wide range of research specialisms, including our Course Director, Professor Michael Brookes OBE, a consultant chartered and registered forensic psychologist, appointed an OBE in 2013 for his services to HM Prison Service and the Care of Prisoners. You will also have the opportunity to attend lectures delivered by professionals currently working in forensic settings.
Our Psychology department has a wide range of psychology testing labs, equipment, and software to support your studies, as well as a dedicated BPS computer lab with networked computers with Psychology-specific software.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
Caitlan de Escofet
Caitlan discovered Forensic Psychology whilst completing her undergraduate degree, and knew it was the perfect route for her. She thrived on the course at BCU and started work before she had even completed her degree. Now, she is on track to becoming a qualified Forensic Psychologist.
Read in fullWhy Choose Us?
- Our distinctive modules in Investigative Psychology and Victimology offer you insight into different aspects of forensic psychology, in addition to our modules on Assessing and Treating Offenders, the Psychology of Law and Justice, and Forensic Skills (required for both practitioner and academic psychologists).
- Completion of this MSc course enables you to gain specialist knowledge of dealing with people within the Criminal Justice System, including violent and sex offenders, offenders with personality disorders, victims of crime, the police and probation services.
- You’ll be provided with training in forensic methods primarily from a psychological standpoint.
- We have expert practitioners, such as Professor Michael Brookes OBE, who will support you throughout your study.
- We have expert academics, including Dr Chrisa Pornari, who can supervise your research project in a wide range of areas including investigative psychology, jury decision making, interpersonal violence, rape myths and offender cognition.
- We also have Dr Laura Hammond, who has expert skills in Investigative Psychology, Behavioural Modelling of Crime and Offender Profiling, Evidence Based Policing, Investigative Processes and Investigative Efficacy, The Use and Reliability of Evidence and Operational Applications of Psychology for the Police.
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Our Psychology department has a wide range of psychology testing labs to suit all needs, including our BPS computer lab, which consists of more than thirty networked computers with Psychology-specific software such as SPSS, NVivo and others such as Opensesame.
- With full or part-time options on offer, you can choose whether to study over one year or two.
Find out more
OPEN DAY
Join us on campus where you'll be able to find out more about your course, learn about postgraduate finance and get an insight into studying at BCU. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Event: 29 June 2024
Entry Requirements
Essential Requirements
| Typical Offers (UK Students) | ||
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A minimum of an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Psychology or an MSc or Graduate Diploma in Psychology, with evidence of strong research methods skills. |
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UK degrees must be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), international degrees must meet similar standards particularly with regards to research methods and statistics. |
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| Preferable | ||
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Experience of working with offenders and/or victims of crime in either a paid or voluntary capacity is desirable. Part-time students will normally be expected to be working in a forensic or forensic-related setting or have experience of this. |
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Additional information for EU/International students
| Essential | ||
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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| English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
| IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MSc
Starting: Sep 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 12 months
- £9,710 in 2024/25
- Part Time
- 24 months
- Show fees
- £1079 per 20 credits
- Year 1 - 80 credits
- Year 2 - 100 credits
Fees for Part-time students
This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MSc
Starting: Sep 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 12 months
- £17,710 in 2024/25
Entry Requirements
Please read, in full, the entry requirements for this course before applying.
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):
This module builds upon your undergraduate and previous experience of research in psychology, and begins to prepare you to undertake advanced independent research. This module will provide you with research knowledge and skills applicable to advanced scholarship in the discipline of forensic psychology.
You will develop knowledge and a critical understanding of a variety of research designs and data collection techniques and methods, and will be able to select and use the most appropriate ones to effectively plan and carry out empirical research.
This module aims to provide you with advanced knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and empirical underpinnings of the assessment and treatment of offenders. You will consider the key tools and literature relevant to assessment and treatment interventions and review how these are used by practising forensic psychologists in a range of settings.
This module provides you with a theoretical underpinning of the ethical, legal, and practical issues applicable to practice in forensic psychology. You will develop skills in communicating information in forensic psychological practice, including report writing, expert testimony, and presentation skills. In addition, the module covers transferable psychology-specific and non-psychology-specific skills; ensuring students have the requisite skills in writing for publication, group work, professionalism, and ICT.
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the practical and theoretical issues relevant to Investigative Psychology. You will learn about a range of relevant topics (e.g. the development of Investigative Psychology, how offender and geographical profiling has evolved, and crime linkage). You will also explore particular concepts relating to policing and investigation, such as police decision making.
This module will provide you with knowledge and critical understanding of the application of psychological theory and research to legal proceedings, the criminal investigation process, and prosecution of offences. At the same time, you will be equipped with an appreciation of the role and functioning of the Criminal Justice System.
This module builds upon the knowledge and skills acquired by students in the Research Methods module that was taught in Term 1 further preparing you to undertake advanced independent research. This module will provide you with further and more advanced knowledge and skills applicable to advanced scholarship in the discipline of forensic psychology.
This module aims to equip you with knowledge and understanding relating to the concept of victimology. Whilst much of the course is centred on offenders, this module focuses on victims and is therefore beneficial to those who wish to work with individuals who have been victims of offending in the future. The module considers a range of victim cohorts including victims of sexual, violent, and trafficking offences. Whilst looking at the theory of victimisation within these concepts, the module also aims to explore the ethical applications of working with the victim.
The aim of this module is to allow the students to design, analyse, and scientifically report research in forensic psychology, demonstrating a critical awareness of existing research literature and a solid practical appreciation of ethical research principles. Students are expected to communicate their research clearly and competently in written and verbal forms. Students are required to produce their dissertation report in APA style in order to prepare students for future training in forensic psychology where part of their training and professional practice will be to produce research of a publishable standard.
Download course specification
Download nowHow you learn
We use a range of learning, teaching, and assessment techniques on this course.
Learning takes place in the University, through the University’s virtual learning environment which is an online based tool, giving you the flexibility to study conveniently both in the university and at home. You will study in lectures and workshops, through electronic learning, reflective practice, court visits, prison visits, case studies and discussion groups.
In order to allow you to fully demonstrate the acquisition of learning and skills throughout the course, a range of assessment strategies are used, both formative and summative. These include essays, report writing and structured literature reviews; data analysis reports; preparing and delivering presentations; reflective practice reports and examinations.
This course is accredited by the following organisation:
The British Psychological Society
The Society and its members develop, promote and apply psychology for the public good. They enhance the efficiency and usefulness of psychologists by setting high standards of professional education and knowledge, and cover all areas of psychological research and practice.
Find out more about British Psychological Society accreditation.
Employability
Enhancing your employability
You will have the opportunity to visit a local prison such as HMP Birmingham, attend court hearings and gain practical experience in one of the University’s mock courtrooms.
We will also assist in identifying work experience opportunities and the Centre for Academic Success offers 1:1 and small group private tutorials in English (including academic writing), study skills, maths, statistics, Word, Excel, programming, networking and project management.
Many graduates go on to gain employment within the health, charity and policing industries, such as working as a trainee forensic psychologist in a prison or mental health facility or as an assistant in one of these settings. You can also develop your academic career and choose to undertake further research within a higher education setting.
The research methods you will have practiced will provide you with the skills to embark on postgraduate research opportunities alongside your professional development if you wish to combine the professional and academic routes together.
International
Welcome to the School of Social Sciences, home to students from all around the world!
All of our undergraduate and postgraduate social sciences courses are open to international students, and our courses have been tailored to take a global approach to learning.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent over £400 million on new learning facilities.
Psychology Labs
Explore the cutting-edge psychology labs, their resources and spaces that support our quest to unravel the complexities of the human mind and behaviour.
Learn about the Psychology Labs
The Curzon Building
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other social sciences, law and business students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
Realistic, simulated environments include two mock court rooms, a Magistrates' and Crown Court, and an interviewing suite. We’re also exploring the use of virtual environments as a way to develop case study analysis.
For those studying on the BA (Hons) Professional Policing or BA (Hons) Criminology, Policing and Investigation degrees, you’ll experience simulations of police interviewing environments for both suspects and witnesses, with access to tape recording and video playback analysis.
Crime investigation files are prepared using computer-based technology, and the crime data analysis requirements of the degree are supported by appropriate statistical and analytical software.
Psychology students can look forward to using state-of-the-art equipment as well, including the latest in eye-tracking software, and our new EEG machine, all geared towards giving you true hands-on experience with tools you’ll be using in your later career. You will also benefit from facilities across the wider campus including the Parkside and Millennium Point buildings.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Our staff
Professor Michael Brookes OBE
Professor, MSc Forensic Psychology
Professor Michael Brookes was formerly Director of Therapeutic Communities at HMP Grendon where for eleven years he was the clinical lead within this accredited therapeutic community prison.
More about MichaelDr Chrisa Pornari
MSc Forensic Psychology Co-Course Leader, Psychology Academic Lead for Distance & Transnational Education and Mobility
Dr Chrisa Pornari is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, a Chartered Psychologist, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She joined Birmingham City University in 2013 and she teaches on the MSc Forensic Psychology and the BSc Psychology courses.
More about ChrisaDr Laura Hammond
Associate Professor in Investigative Psychology
Laura’s research has focused on a wide range of related areas, from spatial patterns in crime and Geographical Profiling to investigative processes and decision-making, the modelling of crime and study of criminal actions, public perceptions and experiences of crime and juror decision-making.
More about LauraDr Silvia Fraga Dominguez
Lecturer in Forensic Psychology
Dr Silvia Fraga Dominguez decided to pursue academia because she wants to conduct research that can have a positive impact and enjoys sharing the most up-to-date research findings with students.
More about Silvia