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Why choose the School of Psychology
Our MSc Forensic Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society, giving you Stage 1 training towards becoming a registered psychologist.
Our Forensic Psychology team has strong links with various agencies and custodial establishments, enabling our teaching to be informed by both research and practice.
About the course
Supporting the requirements of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Forensic Psychology, this course develops a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current issues in the field while exploring core areas such as criminal, investigative and legal psychology; victimology; and forensic assessments and interventions. You gain new insights into the theory and practice of forensic psychology as well as a high level of knowledge of advanced research methods, allowing you to perform complex data analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis.
For further course information, contact Prof Andy Guppy
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
- Access to specialist, industry-standard psychology laboratories and computing environments including a biological and cognitive psychology lab; cognitive neuropsychology lab; VR lab; and a suite of research cubicles with a range of specialist equipment
- Up-to-the-minute technology, such as a driving simulator to test hazard perception; eye-tracking software; a physiological data-acquisition system; EEG recording equipment; and KAT Walk omnidirectional VR slide mills, plus an extensive range of psychometric instruments
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.
Student experience
This course equips you with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the discipline alongside core skills, supporting you in progressing to your Stage 2 training where you can develop your practice to become a registered forensic psychologist.
Our staff’s research and practice expertise directly informs their teaching, creating a focus on the real-life application of psychology.
Build your skills working on cutting-edge research projects with our academic staff, through your dissertation research project.
Gain first-hand experience of psychology in action through course contributions from specialist speakers.
Benefit from field trips to relevant locations such as observing real-life court cases from the public gallery at Luton Crown Court.
Course Leader - Prof Andrew Guppy
I am a Chartered Psychologist with the BPS, and a full member of the Divisions of Occupational Psychology and Health Psychology, I am registered with the Health Professions Council.
My teaching interests include aspects of forensic, health and occupational psychology. I also enjoy contributing to modules on individual differences, research methods and statistics.
Course Leader - Prof Andrew Guppy
I am a Chartered Psychologist with the BPS, and a full member of the Divisions of Occupational Psychology and Health Psychology, I am registered with the Health Professions Council.
My teaching interests include aspects of forensic, health and occupational psychology. I also enjoy contributing to modules on individual differences, research methods and statistics.
What will you study?
Studying our Forensic Psychology MSc course will equip you with in-depth knowledge in the areas of criminal, investigative and legal psychology and skills in relation to the assessment and rehabilitation of offenders. In Advanced Research Methods for Psychologists you will have sessions covering advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods including training on relevant analytical software. You will develop an understanding of why criminal behaviour occurs in our Criminal Psychology unit by exploring a range of theories of offending and different types of offenders. These sessions will help you understand how these theories have developed psychological practice. You will then learn about the methodological and practical skills relevant to conducting and interpreting psychological assessments of offenders that may include cognitive, personality, mental health or offence specific tests in our Assessments in Forensic Psychology unit. Following this, you will develop a thorough understanding of the psychological interventions used to treat and rehabilitate offenders in the field of forensic work in our Interventions in Forensic Psychology unit.
Shifting the focus from offenders, you will also explore the concept of Victimology by gaining a critical understanding of the psychological effects of experiencing victimisation while exploring the ethical and clinical applications to effectively help and support victims of serious offences. Aside from this, you will consider the role of psychology in investigative and police contexts in our Investigative Psychology unit which could potentially inspire you to pursue a career in this specialised field. In areas of Legal Psychology, you will discover how psychology can be applied to legal contexts including false confessions and jury decision making. To prepare you for your career, our unit in Professional Skills will support you in developing the academic and professional skills to work in forensic contexts. Finally, you will complete a MSc Forensic Psychology Dissertation that will give you the opportunity to carry out a substantial piece of research into a specialised area of forensic psychology that is of interest to you.
How will you be assessed?
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). As such, the course is only available to those able to demonstrate Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS. 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 (BPS) and a Registered Forensic Psychologist with the HCPC. The primary focus is to build upon the core skills developed through successful achievement of the completed Graduate Basis for Chartered Status (via an approved undergraduate degree or conversion postgraduate course) and to move towards the competences required of a Forensic Psychologist as outlined in the Subject Benchmark statement for Psychology (QAA, 2016) and aims and objectives of a Stage 1 Qualification in Forensic Psychology as set out by the British Psychological Society (2017). The assessment strategy therefore reflects the academic rigour required for a BPS accredited MSc degree.
The assessments are designed to test academic knowledge, oral and written skills, use of literature using primary and secondary sources, critical analysis of ideas, connections made between theory, practice, real life situations and the understanding and application of professional values, to include ethical issues as detailed by the BPS. The criteria for passing a unit are set out in the University Regulations.
Examples of the range of assessment include: written essays, short answer questions exams, literature/systemic reviews, statistics workbooks, reflective portfolio, case studies, treatment formulation, presentation, review of an ethics submission, designing a training programme, and 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 2024/25
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
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 2024/25
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
