MSc Forensic Psychology
Course Overview
The University of Bolton's MSc in Forensic Psychology brings this fascinating discipline to life both in and away from the classroom by offering you an array of innovative and practical learning opportunities relevant to the role of psychology in the criminal justice system. Studying in our well-respected, vibrant learning and research culture allows you to develop an in-depth understanding of offending behaviour from both offender and victim perspectives.Our supportive and experienced team will help you gain a strong foundation in the theories and practice of psychology, focusing on forensic theories such as aggression, sexual offending, and offending behaviour. We'll also lead you in exploring legal and court psychology, including interviewing techniques used by the police and issues around court testimony. In addition, you’ll consider risk assessment and developing treatment plans for offenders.
As a graduate of this course, you'll be well prepared to pursue further study and careers in various areas, including the prison service, health, police, probation service, victim support, and services targeting families of offenders or victims.
Highlights
- We’ll support you as you develop an in-depth and advanced knowledge of this in-demand field of psychology and its applications in the criminal justice system.
- Based at our main campus in Greater Manchester, the University of Bolton has invested in creating a learning environment that offers innovative teaching and assessment methods using top-class facilities, such as our observation and psychophysiology laboratories.
- We work hard to ensure the course evolves in response to current issues in psychology. For example, our curriculum includes up-to-date teaching on honour-based violence and terrorism.
- Our highly qualified staff, who have substantial experience in the field, deliver our course content. By offering personal supervision throughout the course, we aim to give you the best possible opportunity to achieve your true potential.
- Learning and teaching are student-centred, with small group sessions, one-to-one tutorials, and access to the University’s virtual learning environment.
- This exciting postgraduate programme includes contributions from expert guest speakers on a range of subjects.
- The programme is designed to enhance your employability, particularly in areas related to criminal justice, or to help you progress to further studies in psychology.
Key Features
- You'll explore the theories and principles of forensic psychology and how these are applied in legal and other offender settings. You'll also discuss the social and psychological context of offending and examine methods for collating, assessing, and analysing data.
- To help you learn how psychological theories are applied to the activities of psychology staff when working with offenders or victims of crime, you'll have the chance to participate in various workshops where you can practise and receive feedback on core skills.
- Your personal tutor, one of our helpful and approachable psychology staff with a diverse range of research interests and professional experience, will be on hand to support you throughout your degree.
- We focus strongly on employability skills, the practical application of your studies, and academic success. Workshops include leading group therapy and conducting a risk assessment, with work-based learning opportunities in a relevant work setting.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Entry Requirements
- Normally, you should have an upper second class (2.1) honours degree (or above) in a British Psychological Society (BPS)-accredited psychology undergraduate degree (or equivalent through a psychology conversion course) conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). If you have a second class degree (2.2), you may be eligible for entry subject to an interview.
- Relevant work experience can provide an advantage.
- This course does not confer Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) – if you're seeking to achieve GBR, please consider applying for our MSc Psychology (Conversion) programme.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
The University of Bolton's MSc Forensic Psychology degree will help you develop a deep understanding of how psychology can be applied to explain certain aspects of crime and criminal behaviour. You'll explore the treatment of offenders in a range of areas, including sexual offending, violence and aggression, interpersonal and social skills, and intervention to help stop illicit drug and/or alcohol use. You'll also gain knowledge of treatment for those who have committed offences to reduce the impact of their experiences and to reduce the chances of reoffending.
When you successfully complete the course, you'll be able to demonstrate graduate skills such as analysing complex information and data, investigating problems and formulating plans to solve them. You'll also possess skills in deductive reasoning, conducting research independently, reflection, producing and presenting information accurately, and understanding social and legal issues.
What can I do with this qualification?
You'll likely wish to pursue a career as a Chartered Forensic Psychologist. The University has submitted an application for accreditation to the British Psychological Society (BPS) Division of Forensic Psychology. If this course achieves BPS accreditation, it will meet the master's-level academic requirements set by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as a pre-requisite for their Qualification in Forensic Psychology (QFP) (Stage 2) supervised training pathway to become a chartered Forensic Psychologist.
Alternative career options
Graduates can use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Possible areas of employment include:
- Advice work
- Careers advice and guidance
- Child protection
- Communications
- Counselling
- Crime reduction
- Family support and mediation
- Human resources
- Market research
- Mental health
- Police
- Prison service counsellor
- Probation services
- Retail management
- Social work
- Teaching and education
- Training
- Youth justice
Professional Recognition
The University of Bolton's MSc Forensic Psychology degree has been submitted for accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS). The BPS is the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
International Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
Partner Organisation Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
Teaching & Assessment
Our teaching and learning strategies are student-centred. We use a blended approach, so you'll have face-to-face sessions, sometimes one-to-one, and participate in online learning. You can expect lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, open learning materials, and practical exercises. We'll also expect you to undertake significant independent reading and investigation, complete seminar-related work, and prepare for workshops, presentations, and group discussions.
Assessment methods are also varied, allowing you to demonstrate your learning in a range of ways. For example, you can expect to complete consultancy reporting, practical research reports, oral presentations, written coursework, and a dissertation.
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
