Why choose the School of Sport, Psychology and Social Science
Our MSc Forensic Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Successful completion provides Stage 1 training in Forensic Psychology, making you eligible to undertake further training to become a forensic psychologist.
This MSc also opens up a range of career opportunities for those working in mental health or criminal justice; looking to move into these fields; or who have a general interest in the field.
Our sector-experienced teaching team has strong links with associated agencies and custodial establishments; you also benefit from training from professionals working within forensic mental health and custodial settings.
About the course
This course develops a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current issues in forensic psychology while exploring core areas such as criminal, investigative and legal psychology; victimology; and forensic assessments and interventions. You will gain new insights into the theory and practice of forensic psychology as well as knowledge of advanced research methods, allowing you to perform complex data analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis.
For further course information, contact Kristy Horton at kristy.horton@beds.ac.uk
Course accreditation
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). It covers knowledge and key skills relevant to forensic psychology as described by the accreditation standards (BPS, 2019).
Facilities and specialist equipment
Within the Psychology department, we have dedicated, specialist, industry-standard psychology laboratories and computing environments including:
• Cognitive neuropsychology lab
• Biological and cognitive psychology lab
• Virtual reality lab
• Up-to-the-minute equipment and technology such as:
o Driving simulator
o Eye-tracking software
o Physiological data-acquisition system
o EEG recording equipment
o Podcasting equipment
o KAT Walk Mini 5 omnidirectional VR treadmills
• Data-analysis software
• Experiment and survey-building software
• Access to an extensive range of psychometric instruments relevant to forensic psychology.
Industry links
We have links with a range of organisations who have provided training for our MSc students in recent years. These have included Bedfordshire Police; the probation service; victim support; and forensic psychologists from HMPPS and secure mental health hospitals within the region. Students on this course benefit from training from a range of professionals, providing practical insights into the field and valuable networking opportunities.
Student experience
This course equips you with in-depth knowledge and understanding of issues and debates in forensic psychology alongside the core skills required for practitioners.
You are taught by academics and registered forensic psychologists. Our staff’s research and practice expertise directly informs their teaching, creating a focus on the real-life application of forensic psychology.
Throughout the course, you complete a range of work-related assessments, enabling you to develop the knowledge and skills required of a forensic psychologist and giving you valuable experience of forensic psychology in action.
Build advanced research skills working on cutting-edge projects with our academic staff, through your MSc dissertation research project.
Gain first-hand experience of applied forensic psychology through contributions from specialist speakers working in a variety of forensic settings.
Benefit from field trips to relevant locations such as observing real-life court cases from the public gallery at Luton Crown Court.
Applicants need one of the following:
- BSc or BA in Psychology with a 2.2 or above
- BSc or BA in a closely related discipline (such as health, social or community care) with a 2.2 or above and/or relevant work experience
You are not required to hold Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) to apply for this MSc.
The BPS require forensic psychologists to hold GBC. Therefore, if you wish to become a forensic psychologist in future and do not have GBC, upon completing this course you will need to undertake a BPS-accredited MSc conversion course to gain GBC.
Semester 1
Advanced research methods for psychologists – Undertake training in advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods and relevant analytical software.
Legal psychology - Discover how psychology can be applied to the criminal justice system.
Assessments in forensic psychology - Learn the practical skills relevant to conducting and interpreting psychological assessments of offenders.
Victimology - Understand the psychological effects of experiencing victimisation while exploring ethical and clinical applications to support victim survivors of serious offences.
Semester 2
Interventions in forensic psychology – Gain a thorough understanding of the psychological interventions used to treat and rehabilitate offenders.
Professional skills - Develop the academic, clinical and professional skills required of a forensic psychologist - skills that are transferable and relevant to anyone pursuing an alternative career path.
Criminal psychology - Build your understanding of why criminal behaviour occurs and how a range of theories have developed psychological practice.
Investigative psychology - Consider the role of psychology in investigative and police contexts.
Semester 1-3
MSc Forensic Psychology Dissertation
Your dissertation gives you the opportunity to carry out a piece of research into a specialised area of forensic psychology of interest to you. You will be supported and supervised throughout by our team of expert academic and practitioner psychologists.
The MSc Forensic Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) Division of Forensic Psychology in partnership with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Successful completion of the MSc Forensic Psychology confers to Stage 1 of the training required towards becoming a full member of the Division of Forensic Psychology and a Registered Forensic Psychologist with the HCPC. Therefore, the primary focus of the course is to begin to build the competences required of a Forensic Psychologist.
The assessments are designed to test academic knowledge, oral and written skills, use of literature, critical analysis of ideas, connections made between theory, practice, real life situations and the understanding and application of professional values and ethical guidelines.
Examples of the range of assessment include: reflective portfolios, applied case studies, literature reviews, podcasts, ethics portfolios, qualitative and quantitative worksheets, an exam and a dissertation.
Careers
Your BPS-accredited MSc opens the way to further applied training in forensic psychology to become a full chartered member of the BPS and gain eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Career opportunities for graduates of this course include various roles in prison and probation services, the police, the criminal justice system, and the NHS.
You will also have acquired specific knowledge in research methods to put you in a position to continue your research studies within Psychology with a PhD.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
