MSc Forensic Psychology

• You will need a British Psychological Society (BPS) recognised undergraduate degree (minimum 2.1) in Psychology or an equivalent qualification that confers Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the BPS.
• All applicants must explain why they want to study the Forensic Psychology course in their personal statement.
• Applicants whose undergraduate degree is a 2.2 or equivalent will also be considered, but will be required to demonstrate relevant forensic experience and ability to study at the required academic level. 
• One academic and one vocational reference is required.
• Final selection is based on an interview process with members of the course team.

Explanations of Crime, Criminal Behaviour and Victimology

• This module provides a conceptual basis for understanding crime, criminal behaviour and victimisation, as well as the evidence and theoretical basis for more applied modules such as Assessment, Formulation and Treatment and Professional Forensic Practice. In brief, this module covers the philosophical, historical and social meaning of crime, as well as methodological shortcomings associate with measuring crime. A range of theoretical explanations of criminal behaviour and victimisation are critically reviewed, including psychological models associated with adults, children, violent and sexual offending. This is assessed through two coursework essays, including a focus on reflective writing.

The Police, Criminal Justice System and Psychology

• This module will permit you to develop current knowledge of the relevant evidence base and an understanding of the ethical and legal factors influencing professional practice in the UK justice system. It will cover the legal framework of the law and the civil and criminal justice systems, with a detailed knowledge of legal system in England and Wales. Legal processes and methods, in particular the role of the jury in legal decision-making, sentencing processes, expert testimony and legal statutes and case law will be considered. You will also develop an awareness and understanding of the structure and function of Police Services and related agencies. Psychology will be applied to the process of crime prevention and investigation, and students will gain an understanding of the limits on police powers, including the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). The role of the victim and vulnerable persons (e.g. children) in the justice system will be also be explored. This is assessed through a seen exam.

Prison, Rehabilitation and Aftercare

• This module covers the critical appraisal of the application of psychology in the Punishment, Rehabilitation and Aftercare of offenders and victims. You will gain a critical appreciation of the effects of punishment and rehabilitation, and the role of psychology in developing, delivering and evaluating interventions with offenders and victims. This module will permit you to develop current knowledge of the relevant evidence base and an understanding of the ethical and legal factors influencing professional forensic practice in the justice system, particularly post-sentencing. This module considers philosophical, theoretical, methodological and practical issues associated with deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, retribution, and restitution. Contemporary punishment, rehabilitative and aftercare initiatives will be critically considered and located within legal statutes, in particular imprisonment, Offending Behaviour Programmes, Community Treatment, Hospital Treatment and Restorative Justice Initiatives. This is assessed through a coursework consultancy report, drawing together theory and practice.

Assessment, Formulation and Treatment of Offenders and Victims

• In this module you will start to explore conceptual and applied issues associated with core practitioner skills of assessment, formulation and treatment of offenders and victims. You will gain a critical knowledge of risk assessment, clinical assessment and measurement tools, and develop an understanding of how this assessment information can be integrated with theoretical accounts to develop a formulation and treatment plan which addresses an individual's criminogenic and / or clinical needs. This is assessed through an exam and a coursework essay.

Professional Forensic Practice

• The module uses experiential and action learning to provide you with the opportunity to engage in theory-to-practice links. You will integrate academic knowledge with core practitioner skills and apply your knowledge and skills to problems commonly encountered in forensic psychological practice. You will also develop an academic and experiential appreciation of ethical, cultural and professional conduct considerations associated with the work of forensic psychologists.
• The Reflective Practice Group, which is part of this module, is aimed at providing you with a theoretical and experiential understanding of reflection and its importance in professional forensic practice. Writing a Reflective Diary will be a key part of the module, and will provide you with the opportunity to critically and creatively consider your experiences during the initial stages of the training to become a professional Forensic Psychologist. This is assessed through a risk assessment report based on a case study and the reflective diary.

Qualitative Research

• This module aims to introduce you to the field of qualitative research. The main aims of this module are to outline the main philosophical and epistemological arguments supporting the use of qualitative research methods in psychology, outline the key issues, problems, and new insights that shape qualitative research design in psychology; familiarise you with a range of data collection techniques used by qualitative researchers in psychology; develop your capacity to manage and handle qualitative data; familiarise you with a range of data analytic techniques used by qualitative researchers in psychology (and to outline the differences between them) and to further develop your ability to report, present, and evaluate qualitative research. This is assessed through a coursework piece.

Mixed methods Research

• This module will consider the ontological, epistemological, practical, and theoretical issues involved in combining qualitative and quantitative research in psychology. It will demonstrate some of the most effective ways in which quantitative and qualitative research techniques can be employed together within a single research programme, and it will also introduce a methodological approach which combine quantitative and qualitative elements within a single procedure (repertory grids). The main aim of the module will be to encourage you to see the connection, rather than the conventional 'division' that is drawn between quantitative and qualitative paradigms in psychology. This is assessed through a coursework piece.

Advanced Statistics (1 and 2)

• Advanced Experimentation & Statistics 1 examines the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of statistics used in experimental research (e.g., statistical inference, power and effect size). The framework for the module is a regression / GLM approach to statistics that focuses on the relationship between multiple linear regression, ANOVA and ANCOVA. The module also covers application of these concepts in widely available computer software such as SPSS and the relationship between different experimental designs (e.g., factorial designs, multi-stage sampling, RCTs, cross-sectional designs, longitudinal designs or single-case studies) and statistical issues such as power and generalizability. Practical issues such as dealing with violations of statistical assumptions or missing data are also considered.
• Advanced Experimentation & Statistics 2 uses the regression framework adopted in Advanced Experimentation & Statistics 1 and introduces additional advanced statistical topics such as logistic regression, Poisson regression, meta-analysis and multilevel modeling. The module builds on practical topics introduced in Advanced Experimentation & Statistics 1 such as dealing with violations of assumptions and the limitations of standard research designs for real world data (e.g., handling unbalanced or missing data in repeated measures analyses). The module also introduces you to specialist statistical software such as R or MLwiN.

Research based Dissertation focused in the forensic area

• This is completed under the supervision of a research active member of staff.
• The research project is divided into two parts: Firstly, a structured literature review around the topic being explored. This allows you to develop and demonstrate a clear and detailed knowledge of an area of forensic interest; Secondly, a journal style research piece of the research undertaken during the course. This research is focussed on a forensic topic and can include qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods, all of which are covered on the course. The journal-style is to develop knowledge in publishing research as part of evidence-based practice and skills required for Stage 2 of the route to Chartership.