Criminology with Forensic Psychology MSc
Subject and course type
- Criminology and law
- Psychology
- Postgraduate
Gain in-depth insight into crime, justice, and the role of psychology in investigations and the courtroom. This course combines criminology and forensic psychology, equipping you with research skills and critical knowledge relevant to policing, victimisation, offender behaviour, and the wider justice system.
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Help make society a safer place
Studying this MSc in Criminology with Forensic Psychology at Kingston University will give you the skills to progress to careers in a wide range of private and public sector organisations.
Previous graduates have gone on to work in policy making, offender management, crime reduction and more.
During the course, you’ll consider the formal responses to offending behaviour. You’ll unpack policing, punishment, rehabilitation and wider social control strategies, as well as studying the criminalisation process and engaging critically with crime reduction methods.
Through a blend of practical and theoretical learning, you’ll critically evaluate a range of historical and contemporary investigative methods. You’ll study investigative and legal processes, exploring how psychological methods can improve interviewing techniques and police inquiry decision-making.
Alongside the forensic component, you’ll also examine social, economic and political contexts that lead to crime and victimisation.
Please note: If you’re interested in becoming a practising psychologist, you should complete an MSc in Forensic Psychology, which is BPS-accredited. To find out more visit our Forensic Psychology MSc course page.
Why choose this course
Learn from experts. Study in context. Make an impact.
At Kingston University, our MSc in Criminology with Forensic Psychology offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of crime, justice, and psychology – guided by experts and grounded in real-world experience.
Kingston University is proud to be Gold-rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), reflecting our commitment to high-quality teaching and student success. You’ll be taught by experienced academics and expert criminal justice professionals, bringing both academic rigour and practical insight to your lectures and seminars.
As part of the Kingston School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences, you’ll join a vibrant academic community with access to cutting-edge research and hands-on learning opportunities. Our course is designed to enhance your employability, equipping you with the skills and experience needed to thrive in a range of criminal justice careers.
Our location offers unparalleled access to the criminal justice system. With Kingston Crown Court just minutes away, you’ll have the chance to observe live court proceedings and see how the theories you study are applied in real life.
Throughout the course, you’ll benefit from guest lectures by practitioners working in the criminal justice sector applying legal and forensic psychology perspectives. These sessions bring contemporary issues to life and connect your learning to current practice.
You’ll explore key theories, research methods, and real-world practices, while also examining social harms and marginalised perspectives traditionally overlooked by criminologists and the legal system.
Whether you're aiming to work in criminal justice policy, or research, this course provides the knowledge, experience, and critical thinking skills to make a meaningful difference.
Prepare for global impact
Kingston School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences offers courses in economics, law, psychology and criminology. 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.
Course content
Criminology is a dynamic and multi-disciplinary subject that draws upon a range of theoretical frameworks and social research techniques to explore criminological phenomena. You will engage with the theoretical ideas that govern the discipline and apply them to better understand the substantive issues in the study of crime, harm and justice. In the forensic psychology component, you will study the psychological processes underpinning investigative techniques and judicial processes. The programme will involve a critical appreciation of how psychology can be used to improve: police decision making when interviewing witnesses and courtroom procedures.
Full time: You will study five core modules plus a Criminology Dissertation worth 60 credits.
Part time: Typically, as a part-time student you will study four core modules in Year 1. In Year 2 you will take one core module and a dissertation.
Modules
Core modules
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 used. 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.
30 credits
This module is designed to stimulate students' engagement with academic research and analysis. Students develop a critical understanding of the rationale, design and implementation of different methodologies used by social scientists for their research. They develop a framework for evaluating social research and conducting their own empirical work. In the first half of the module students gain first-hand experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis through instruction and class exercises. In the second half students will apply their knowledge and understanding of research methods to a specific field of enquiry.
60 credits
This module provides an excellent opportunity for students to extend their criminological knowledge through a detailed study on a topic of their choice and to demonstrate their capacity to use the key conceptual perspectives and practical skills of a working criminologist. Students can approach the module either as a theoretical study which is primarily library-based and adopts the traditional style of a dissertation as an extended essay or they can approach it as an empirical investigation and present their findings as a comprehensive research report. Also, students will be supervised on an individual basis by a member of the staff team when undertaking their dissertations.
30 credits
This module critically examines the concepts of crime, harm, victimisation, and justice from a variety of perspectives. It delves into contemporary and emerging issues in crime and victimisation, while also engaging with key debates on the nature of justice in criminology. You'll also explore the extent to which justice is achieved – or not – through formal responses to crime. Additionally, the module provides a thorough analysis of crime control by tracing the evolution of state power, with a focus on the development of policing and punishment over time.
30 credits
This module investigates the key theoretical frameworks used to understand crime, criminality, and societal responses to crime and harm. It offers a comprehensive overview of criminological theory, incorporating both classical and contemporary perspectives. The module examines how societal factors such as inequality, power, and culture, shape the definition of crime, its prevalence, and the processes of criminalisation. Throughout the module, you'll critically assess the strengths and limitations of each theoretical perspective and explore how these frameworks can be applied to real-world issues.
Career opportunities
You’ll complete this course well-prepared for careers in a range of public and private sector organisations. Previous graduates have progressed to roles in policy making, offender management, crime reduction, multi-agency partnerships, security, counter-terrorism and policing.
Others have gone on to work in criminological research, local and national government and related advocacy and policy-based organisations. You could also secure work in policing, victim and witness services, prisons, prison offender management, the military, security and counter-terrorism. So, whether you're advancing in your current profession or preparing for new opportunities, this programme provides the foundation for a rewarding career in the criminal justice sector and related agencies.
Teaching and assessment
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will have a personal tutor and will also be able to use the University's support services.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 180 credits across a year (typical for a postgraduate course) would equate to 1,800 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- 11% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Assessment typically comprises practical assessments (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:
- 100% coursework
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Each student receives a personalised timetable. This is usually available after you have completed your online enrolment, which is typically accessible one month before the start of your course.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| Full Time | £11,400 |
| Part Time | £6,270 |
| International | |
| Full Time | £18,700 |
| Part Time | £10,285 |
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| Full Time | £11,400 |
| Part Time | £6,270 |
| International | |
| Full Time | £18,700 |
| Part Time | £10,285 |
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
Interested in studying Criminology with Forensic Psychology MSc at Kingston? The following funding support is available:
The Inspire the Future Scholarship offers a 40% reduction in fees for taught masters or postgraduate diploma courses with September start dates. 20 scholarships are available for progressing Kingston University graduates.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Inspire the Future Scholarship page.
International postgraduate students could receive up to £5,000 towards tuition in their first year of study.
For more information on how to apply for these scholarships, visit the International Scholarship page.
If you are a Kingston University undergraduate student progressing to a postgraduate degree (taught or research), you could get a 15% reduction in tuition fees.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Postgraduate Progression Scholarship page.
Kingston University offers a 10% discount on full and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees to our alumni.
For more information on how to apply for this discount, visit our alumni discount page.
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:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional local trips will be around £25 per year.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations: Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames and Norbiton.
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.
Please note: If you’re from a country outside the EU or EEA that’s classified as overseas fee-paying, you won’t be eligible to apply for a part-time course because of visa regulations in the UK. For information about exceptions, please visit the UKCISA website or email our CAS and Visa Compliance team.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
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
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
