Forensic Psychology MSc
- Psychology
- Postgraduate
At Kingston University our British Psychological Society-accredited MSc Forensic Psychology programme provides the Stage 1 component of your journey to becoming a chartered forensic psychologist.
Join the Kingston School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences to take the next step on your journey
Learn in a research-active and practice-informed environment
You will be taught by research-active practitioners and academics with special interests that include chemsex, sexual offences, restorative justice, forensic mental health, and investigative processes such as interviewing, detecting deception and eyewitness identification.
Our degrees are underpinned by a vibrant research culture and delivered by a blend of practitioners and academics who are dedicated to equipping you with the employability skills to thrive in your career. You will have a wealth of opportunities outside the classroom to further your learning and gain hands-on experience in your chosen field.
In addition, you will be taught by academics who are researchers and/or practitioners in forensic settings, and you will benefit from the close links our staff have with forensic settings. Visiting speakers will also give lectures about their work in specialist forensic settings and populations, meaning you will gain the knowledge and practical skills you need to take your next step towards your future career.
The course helped the application for my current job at a psychiatric hospital. In addition, I often find myself referring back to what I learnt on the course and applying it at work.
Why choose this course
You will study the context and application of psychology in various forensic settings, and you will be introduced to the role of the forensic psychologist in the legal and criminal justice system, forensic psychological practice and forensic mental health.
When considering applied skills in forensic practice, there is a focus on specialist assessments, core treatments and interventions utilised when working with various client groups in a forensic setting. Client groups include offenders in prison, secure hospitals and the community, as well as offenders on probation and within the legal system (court assessment). There is an emphasis on reflective practice skills, and professional and ethical practice in the workplace.
This course also provides you with the opportunity for a crucial observational work placement. Possible settings include both statutory and third sector contexts, such as secure psychiatric hospitals, children's homes and youth offending teams. You will additionally benefit from supervision from our research active staff members for your dissertation.
Accreditation
This course is accredited through the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides Stage 1 (the academic component) of the route to becoming a Chartered Forensic Psychologist with full membership of the BPS’s Division of Forensic Psychology. Successful completion of Stage 1 enables graduates to progress to further study such as Stage 2, or Doctorate level training, the standard necessary to become a Registered Chartered Forensic Psychologist through The Health and Care Professions Council.
Placements
As part of this course, you will complete a 50-hour observational work placement that gives you practical experience, opportunities for networking, and will help you stand out to future employers. The University has links with charities, community groups and hospitals.
Previous placement organisations include Broadmoor High Secure Psychiatric Hospital, Supported Living services, Substance Use services, AMPH services, and many more. Whilst placements may not appear to be directly a forensic service; they will all be placements that provide experience of observing work with client groups with challenges that you will encounter in future work as forensic practitioner psychologists, (e.g., homelessness, substance use and mental health).
Course content
You will learn how psychology is applied in various forensic settings and be introduced to the role of the forensic psychologist in practice, including critical attention to professional and ethical 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
You will study four core, 30 credit, modules plus a Psychology Dissertation, worth 60 credits.
Core modules
Part time - 2 years
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
Year 2
Inside the School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences
Hear from current students, graduates and our academics as they talk about what it's like to study in the School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences.
I could not have achieved as much as I did without the amazing support from all the lecturers on the course. The lecturers provided detailed feedback and discussions on assignments, which enabled me to learn every step of the way. I will be forever grateful to them all.
Career opportunities
Students who’ve graduated from this course have gone onto further training at PhD level in forensic or clinical psychology, after having obtained posts as assistant psychologists in forensic settings. Graduates have also gained employment in a variety of organisations, including children's services, youth offending and probation.
Teaching and assessment
I chose to continue to study at Kingston University after completing my undergraduate course in Psychology with Criminology, as I knew what the university and psychology department had to offer.
Fees and funding
Fees for future course years
Part time
If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.
If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. Find out more through the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Forensic Psychology MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop-down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Information required to confirm your place
If English is not your first language, we will require proof of your proficiency to allow us to confirm your place on the course. This will generally be either an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate, which can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application. If you do not hold a formal English language qualification, please indicate how you have acquired your proficiency in written and spoken English.
After you have applied
If you meet the minimum requirement for this programme your application will be considered further and you may be invited to an interview. This will be a face-to-face meeting or for International students based overseas it will be via Skype.
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. Find out more about course changes
Specifications for this course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our students and graduates say
The course included an organised placement, which took away the stress of finding a suitable placement whilst studying.
My placement was at a children's home for young people who had experienced trauma and broken attachments. I think this was one of my favourite parts of the course because I was able to work and learn at the same time. The course content also influenced my decision because it covered topics I was interested in and that were appropriate to my desired career path.
