MSc Forensic Psychology
Course Overview
In accordance with the University’s procedures for programme review, the programme specification and module structure are subject to change. The modules listed below are currently being developed by the academic team in psychology, in order to provide you with the best course possible. We are confident that the structural changes will enhance the programme, and we anticipate that these changes will be approved by July 2025. After this time, we will write to all applicants who have applied for the course to let them know the outcome of any changes.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. Our curriculum includes up-to-date teaching on a variety of exciting topics in forensic psychology.
- 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.
- You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- 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 Registered Forensic Psychologist. This course has been developed in line with the British Psychological Society (BPS) programme standards and in line with sector benchmarks. Completing a master's degree is the first step towards pursuing a career as a Registered 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
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £8,496 for the academic year 2024/25.
International Fees
Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £15,950 for the academic year 2024/25.
Bursaries
Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.
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
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
-
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
-
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
-
Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
-
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
-
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
-
Apply online: University of Bolton MSc Forensic Psychology - 22 September 2025
International Applicants
Thank you for your interest
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
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.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Forensic Psychology: Context and Professional Skills
- Research Methods in Forensic Psychology
- Forensic Psychology Research Project
- Theoretical Perspectives in Forensic Psychology
- Assessments in Forensic Psychology
- Treatment Interventions
- Understanding Professional Practice
- Legal and Investigative Psychology
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 100% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 82% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 18% |
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.
