Forensic and Criminological Psychology MSc

Course overview
The MSc aims to advance students’ knowledge and skills acquired at undergraduate level, providing an in-depth knowledge of the discipline of forensic psychology. It covers academic research and theory and applied practice within the Criminal Justice and Forensic Mental Health Systems.

The course receives unique input from currently practising forensic psychologists and other applied professionals, enabling students to develop a critical awareness of current issues, standards and developments in the field.

The course is offered by the Centre for Forensic and Family Psychology (CFFP) under the Academic Unit of Mental Health and Neurosciences, School of Medicine. The MSc programme adheres to a taught degree structure, and as such, students are registered as a Postgraduate Taught Student (PGT); applying the policies, procedures, and regulations for Postgraduate Taught Programmes at the University of Nottingham.

You can choose to complete this programme in one year through full-time study or two years through part-time study.

Professional organisations
The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and fulfils stage 1 of the BPS professional training in forensic psychology. The BPS is the learned and professional body, incorporated by Royal Charter, for psychology in the United Kingdom. The key objective of the Society is ‘to promote the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of psychology pure and applied and especially to promote the efficiency and usefulness of members by setting up a high standard of professional education and knowledge’.

A proportion of students who complete Stage 1, may later go on to complete Stage 2 training. Stage 2 training forms the basis for registration as a Forensic Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), and is offered through other courses at the Centre for Forensic and Family Psychology. For this reason, the MSc closely draws upon relevant frameworks and standards from both the BPS and HCPC.