Forensic Psychology MSc
Why choose this course?
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). It draws on Kingston University's established expertise in psychology and criminology.
You will be taught by research-active staff with special interests ranging from intimate partner violence, forensic mental health, and detection of deception. You will also benefit from the close links our staff have with forensic settings located in London and the surrounding area.
You will study the application of psychology in various forensic settings and be introduced to the role of the forensic psychologist. You will examine the legal aspects of forensic psychology (e.g. courts and sentencing) and factors that may lead to criminal behaviour.
Your work placement will last at least 15 weeks (two days a week). Settings include secure hospitals, children's homes, and youth offending teams. Alternatively, you may be offered a research placement reflecting your area of interest. You will have one-on-one supervision for your placement and dissertation.
On successful completion of the course, you may continue your training to become a chartered forensic psychologist, or pursue a career in sectors such as the prison and probation services, crime analysis or education.
| Mode | Duration | Attendance | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 1 year | Two days throughout the academic year, plus two days in placement over a consecutive period of 15 weeks, plus other days by arrangement |
September 2023 September 2024 |
| Part time | 2 years | Please contact us to discuss |
September 2023 September 2024 |
| Location | Penrhyn Road |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- This course is accredited by the BPS as fulfilling the requirements of Stage 1 training to become a Chartered Forensic Psychologist.
- Kingston has close links to forensic settings in London and the surrounding area. Guest speakers are active practitioners in forensic services from prisons, and low, medium, and high security hospitals (for example, Broadmoor).
- A placement in a setting related to forensic psychology practice.
Accreditation
British Psychological Society
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which means that you could go on to become a Chartered Psychologist if that is your chosen career path. This is an ongoing accreditation.
Upon successful completion graduates will be exempt from Stage 1 of the BPS qualification in forensic psychology and will be eligible to apply for Stage 2 supervised practice and full membership of the BPS division of Forensic Psychology and registration with the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) should you wish to follow the practitioner route.
Kingston's Department of Psychology
Specialist careers support
You will take part in an Assessment Centre Experience, providing the opportunity to experience the pathway to employment with tailored feedback to help develop your employability skills for the world of graduate employment.
- Develop your understanding of the jobs market, including current trends and opportunities, different recruitment processes and how to identify relevant roles
- Receive personalised feedback reports to help you to improve and progress
- Access additional webinars on top tips, employer expectations and best practice
What you will study
Forensic psychology is concerned with the psychological issues associated with criminal behaviour and the treatment of those who have committed offences. It refers to the investigation of deception, fraud, crime and the psychological aspects of legal and judicial process.
You will learn how psychology is applied in various forensic settings and be introduced to the role of the forensic psychologist in practice. You will gain knowledge of the legal aspects of forensic psychology, such as considerations for courts and sentencing, and examine the aetiology of criminal behaviour in depth.
Full time - 1 year
Part time - 2 years
You will study four core, 30 credit, modules plus a Psychology Dissertation, worth 60 credits.
Core modules
Psychology Dissertation
60 credits
The dissertation project will be based on a critical literature review addressing complex and contradictory evidence and will usually require carrying out an empirical study using one or more methodologies of data collection such as experiments, observation, psychometric testing, surveys and questionnaires, interviews and field studies. In all cases, the dissertation will involve the analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data, as well as the presentation and critical evaluation of research findings. Through independent study and meetings with a project supervisor, the dissertation project will allow you to better understand the role of research methodologies, theoretical considerations and ethical issues in psychological research.
Research Design and Analysis
30 credits
The module provides an advanced coverage of the design and analysis of psychological research. Building on a revision of intermediate inferential statistics (e.g. ANOVA, factorial ANOVA, regression and multiple regression), the course moves quickly towards a consideration of more advanced and specialised quantitative methods (e.g. multivariate statistics, co-variance, structural equation modelling, factor analysis, meta-analysis and advanced regression techniques) and their applications. The course introduces principles of questionnaire design, evaluation and data analysis, along with advanced qualitative research methods. The laboratory workshops combine formal teaching with hands-on activities. The material provides an important foundation for the development and execution of the master's level research dissertation.
Antisocial behaviours across the lifespan; Treatment and intervention
30 credits
This module will enhance your understanding of the key processes that underpin prosocial and antisocial behaviour. You will gain understanding of how biopsychosocial processes can impact on the development of criminal behaviour and neurodevelopmental disorders. You will extend your understanding of the organisation of prisons and forensic mental health services and will achieve some understanding of the assessment and treatment of offenders. You will also learn to evaluate the evidence that supports psychological and biological treatments for those with mental disorders which will enable you to consider its application to forensic psychology practice.
Investigative and Legal Processes in Forensic Psychology
30 credits
This module covers a range of theoretical and applied topics regarding investigative and judicial processes. For example, psychological principles may be applied to investigative approaches to interviewing, detecting deception, bearing false witness, offender profiling, case linkage, eyewitness memory, jury behaviour and decision-making, examining the state of mind and assessment, and expert psychological testimony (ethics, code of practice, report writing and practice). By taking this approach you develop a critical understanding of pertinent stages in the investigative process where psychology may be used to improve interviewing strategies, as in the employment of the cognitive interview to assist in the improvement of witnesses' memory recall. This course then develops upon the investigative knowledge base provided by encouraging you to identify areas within the courtroom process where psychological techniques could be utilised. Thus, you are taken on an analytical and evaluative journey of the key criminal justice processes of the investigation and presentation of evidence in cases.
Applications of Forensic Psychology
30 credits
This module will enhance your understanding of the application of forensic psychology. You will gain knowledge and understanding about organisations in which you might work as a forensic psychologist and the systems and structures within these settings. You will gain an understanding of the skills required when working as a reflective scientist-practitioner. You will also gain knowledge of the foundations of assessment and intervention including theory practice links, critical evaluation, training and consultancy. You will engage with this material through a series of interactive workshops and your participation in either a forensic work based placement or an applied research placement.
Part-time students will take three core, 30 credit, modules in the first year. In the second year you will take one 30 credit module plus a Psychology Dissertation, worth 60 credits.
Year 1
Antisocial behaviours across the lifespan; Treatment and intervention
30 credits
This module will enhance your understanding of the key processes that underpin prosocial and antisocial behaviour. You will gain understanding of how biopsychosocial processes can impact on the development of criminal behaviour and neurodevelopmental disorders. You will extend your understanding of the organisation of prisons and forensic mental health services and will achieve some understanding of the assessment and treatment of offenders. You will also learn to evaluate the evidence that supports psychological and biological treatments for those with mental disorders which will enable you to consider its application to forensic psychology practice.
Research Design and Analysis
30 credits
The module provides an advanced coverage of the design and analysis of psychological research. Building on a revision of intermediate inferential statistics (e.g. ANOVA, factorial ANOVA, regression and multiple regression), the course moves quickly towards a consideration of more advanced and specialised quantitative methods (e.g. multivariate statistics, co-variance, structural equation modelling, factor analysis, meta-analysis and advanced regression techniques) and their applications. The course introduces principles of questionnaire design, evaluation and data analysis, along with advanced qualitative research methods. The laboratory workshops combine formal teaching with hands-on activities. The material provides an important foundation for the development and execution of the master's level research dissertation.
Investigative and Legal Processes in Forensic Psychology
30 credits
This module covers a range of theoretical and applied topics regarding investigative and judicial processes. For example, psychological principles may be applied to investigative approaches to interviewing, detecting deception, bearing false witness, offender profiling, case linkage, eyewitness memory, jury behaviour and decision-making, examining the state of mind and assessment, and expert psychological testimony (ethics, code of practice, report writing and practice). By taking this approach you develop a critical understanding of pertinent stages in the investigative process where psychology may be used to improve interviewing strategies, as in the employment of the cognitive interview to assist in the improvement of witnesses' memory recall. This course then develops upon the investigative knowledge base provided by encouraging you to identify areas within the courtroom process where psychological techniques could be utilised. Thus, you are taken on an analytical and evaluative journey of the key criminal justice processes of the investigation and presentation of evidence in cases.
Year 2
Applications of Forensic Psychology
30 credits
This module will enhance your understanding of the application of forensic psychology. You will gain knowledge and understanding about organisations in which you might work as a forensic psychologist and the systems and structures within these settings. You will gain an understanding of the skills required when working as a reflective scientist-practitioner. You will also gain knowledge of the foundations of assessment and intervention including theory practice links, critical evaluation, training and consultancy. You will engage with this material through a series of interactive workshops and your participation in either a forensic work based placement or an applied research placement.
Psychology Dissertation
60 credits
The dissertation project will be based on a critical literature review addressing complex and contradictory evidence and will usually require carrying out an empirical study using one or more methodologies of data collection such as experiments, observation, psychometric testing, surveys and questionnaires, interviews and field studies. In all cases, the dissertation will involve the analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data, as well as the presentation and critical evaluation of research findings. Through independent study and meetings with a project supervisor, the dissertation project will allow you to better understand the role of research methodologies, theoretical considerations and ethical issues in psychological research.
What our graduates say
After you graduate
Students have gone onto further training in forensic and clinical psychology after having obtained posts as assistant psychologists in forensic settings. Some students progress to study for a PhD in a relevant area. Graduates have also gained employment in a variety of organisations including children's services, youth offending and probation.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Who teaches this course?
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on this course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. The following group of staff members are currently involved in the delivery of different elements of this course. This pool is subject to change at any time within the academic year.
Fees for this course
Additional costs
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
