MSc Forensic Psychology

Overview & facilities

Forensic psychology is one of the fastest growing areas of employment for psychology graduates. Our Masters course is accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS) and the syllabus includes the academic material that you will need if you wish to become a chartered member of the British Psychological Society and a full member of the Division of Forensic Psychology. Successful completion of the Masters will provide the academic component required to enrol in the BPS Qualification in Forensic Psychology (Stage 2).

Scholarly work is organised around psychological, legal and criminological concepts relevant to contemporary social issues and organisations. With a strong grounding in ethics, professional practice and research, our training will aid subsequent professional practice.

Based at our Hendon Campus in London, you will be benefitting from the experience of our dedicated and enthusiastic staff, and you will have access to some of the best and most up-to-date specialist postgraduate computer, laboratory and library study facilities for teaching and research in the UK.

Download the course flyer

Professional accreditation
As a British Psychological Society accredited course, successful completion of this MSc will allow the student exemption from Stage One of the BPS Diploma in Forensic Psychology.

Facilities
The superb Hatchcroft Building opened in 2008, and as a student of Psychology at Middlesex, you’ll take full advantage of it's state-of-the-art facilities which include:

• Fully equipped lecture theatres and tutorial spaces
• Psychophysiology laboratory
• Social observation laboratories
• Video editing suite
• Virtual reality laboratory
• Auditory cognition laboratory
• Testing cubicles
  

Content & modules

The programme aims to provide a learning environment within which, if successful, you will

• Gain knowledge and understanding of key areas of forensic psychology (for example aetiology of offending behaviour, judicial decision making, offender treatment programmes, victimisation, investigative psychology and state perpetrated crimes)
• Develop understanding of forensic psychological practice and the work of other criminal justice professionals through visits and workshops
• Develop core professional, ethical and research skills in line with the BPS and Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP) National Occupational Standards
• Gain knowledge and critical understanding of a variety of research techniques and statistical methods appropriate to postgraduate training in psychology
• Gain experience developing research, analytical and reporting skills, working as a team and individually.Make an appropriate contribution to research in forensic psychology.
  

Assessment is staggered throughout the year, and students submit a variety of formative and summative work. These include essays and reports, statistical assignments, research proposal, dissertation and a learning journal.

Modules

• Year 1

  Advanced Psychology Dissertation (60 Credits) - Compulsory

  To provide students with an opportunity for an in-depth, advanced study in a specific area of applied psychology, pertinent to the degree for which they are registered, guided by, but largely independent of, tutor support. To enable students to apply appropriate principles of empirical research to an issue of their choice within the subject area of their degree registration. To enable students to present their research study in the form of a written thesis, using appropriate styles and conventions.

  Advanced Research Methods in Psychology (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module conforms with the statistics and methodology requirements of the British Psychological Society Divisions of Forensic and Health Psychology, and National Occupational Standards for Applied Psychologists Key roles 2 3 . Successful completion of this module provides partial fulfilment of the requirements for Stage 1 exemption for chartered psychologists Health/Forensic . The module extends psychology students undergraduate knowledge of research methods, design and statistics with particular reference to advanced forensic and health psychology. It prepares them for their dissertation, forthcoming supervised practice and enables them to choose appropriate methodologies and analyses for research.

  Conceptual Forensic Psychology (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module covers material required by the British Psychological Society Division of Forensic Psychology Applications of psychology to processes in the justice system and Working with specific client groups encountered in forensic psychology and National Occupational Standards for Applied Psychologists Key roles 5 and 6 and the Standards of Proficiency for Practitioner psychologists from the Health Professions Council. This module combines theoretical explanations of criminal behaviour, its aetiology and ramifications with psychological approaches to the criminal justice system. Through the analysis of the relationship between decision processes at each stage of the system, and the implications of those decisions at subsequent stages in the legal process, students will be encouraged to reflect upon the application of psychology to the practice of criminal justice.

  Investigative Psychology (15 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to develop students knowledge of a range of topics within the discipline of investigative psychology. Students will examine various stages of the investigative process and consider the psychological factors that can influence crime investigation by the police. They will be encouraged to take a critical and reflective approach to crime investigation and the models considered, as well as challenging common stereotypes and considering the implications of fundamental concepts such as human rights and the evolution of policing.

  Practical Forensic Psychology (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module covers material required by the British Psychological Society Division of Forensic Psychology The context of practice in forensic psychology and Working with specific client groups encountered in forensic psychology and National Occupational Standards for Applied Psychologists Key roles 5 and 6 and the Standards of Proficiency for Practitioner psychologists from the Health Professions Council. Seminars on this module, focus on core areas of forensic psychological practice and treatment. In addition, workshops are run by Criminal Justice System practitioners within governmental and non-governmental organisations, from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. Students are thus facilitated towards a greater understanding the practice of Forensic Psychology, in a multi-disciplinary context.

  Professional Issues in Psychology (15 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module is designed to conform to the communication, practice and dissemination of research consultancy requirements of the British Psychological Society Divisions of Forensic and Health Psychology, and the Health Professions Council Standards of Proficiency for Practitioner Psychologists. It enables students to further develop their appreciation of professional and ethical issues related to research and practice in health and forensic psychology within a framework conforming to statutory provisions and the code of conduct of chartered psychologists.

Study, preparation, independent study and contact/supervisory time

Expected timetable for full-time students: 40 hours per week; timetabled sessions- Tuesdays and Thursdays all day (9.30 to 6.00)
Expected timetable for part-time students: 20 hours per week; timetabled sessions- Tuesdays in year one and Thursdays in year two

Download the course specification

Entry & applying

You must have the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership GBC; previously called Graduate Basis for Registration GBR with the British Psychological Society, normally an Upper Second class honours degree or above in Psychology conferring GBC/GBR . Equivalent qualifications will be considered. International students are welcome to apply if they are in possession of a first degree in Psychology recognised by the British Psychological Society as equivalent to them gaining the Graduate Basis for Chartered membership. Information and advice and are available from the website:www.bps.org.uk.

Please apply directly to Middlesex University Code C811

Qualifications accepted

For a comprehensive list of qualifications accepted by Middlesex, see further information under entry requirements

English language requirements

International students are welcome to apply if they are in possession of a degree in psychology recognised by the British Psychological Society as equivalent to them gaining GBC or a Graduate Diploma in Psychology undertaken in the UK. Information, advice and contact details are available from the BPS website. 

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all four components) or TOEFL paper based 575 (no less than 4.5 in test of written English) or TOEFL internet based 90 (with no less than 19 in each component) Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks, depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk. For details of other equivalent English language requirements that Middlesex accepts see international entry requirements.

Applying

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. You will need to fill in an application form and return it to the appropriate admissions office. UK and EU students should apply directly to the London office. Non-EU international students can apply to our international admissions office in London, or use our network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application. Applicants may also be invited to interview as apart of the admissions process. Apply now

Fees & funding

September 2011 start
UK-EU £5,100
International £10,600

Careers & placements

For information on careers for forensic psychologists visit BPS Careers.