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Psychology: Legal and Criminological at University of Cumbria - UCAS

Course summary

If you have a background in psychology, sociology or criminology, this MSc course is ideal for gaining insight into Legal and Criminological Psychology. You'll develop comprehensive knowledge and an understanding of a broad range of topics in forensic settings. We will look at ways to work with prison populations, explore the criminal justice system and you'll have the chance to examine practice and research from theoretical perspectives. COURSE OVERVIEW On this programme, you can build on your existing learning experiences to advance your academic and professional development in a stimulating and challenging environment. You will gain specialised knowledge and a critical awareness of issues in Legal and Criminological Psychology. You'll cover the application of psychology to forensic and legal issues. Teaching is done through a variety of blended learning and campus-based activities explicitly designed to meet the needs of learners working in a range of contexts. ON THIS COURSE YOU WILL...

  • Be able to explore and apply psychological literature to current issues, contexts and experiences around legal and criminological settings.
  • Be given high quality support and guidance by our lecturing team who are active in their research and practice.
  • Learn valuable transferrable skills in PG research, which are highly sought after by employers.
  • Have the opportunity to choose topics and areas that you want to learn more about to tailor your learning experience.
  • Have the opportunity to shape your MSc experience to your own interests and career goals, allowing our team to help you to reach your ideal future career.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN The Psychology: Legal and Criminological course provides a set of modules that will enhance specialist subject knowledge and key skills for working in the criminal justice system, all delivered by subject specialists. It is designed to build on your existing learning experiences and offers flexible learning opportunities to improve your career prospects. The main aim of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to develop comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a broad range of topics in criminological and legal psychology. Theoretical and practical issues pertinent to those working in legal settings will be examined critically. All MSc Psychology: Legal and Criminological learners will be required to have undertaken the following core modules: Research Skills and Methods (20 credits), Professional Values and Ethics (20 credits) Negotiated Learning (20 credits), and a Dissertation (60 credits). You will also be required to complete three compulsory modules: Interpersonal Violence and Abuse (20 credits), Criminal Psychology, Offending Behaviour and the Criminal Justice System (20 credits), and Working with Specialist Populations in Forensic Psychology Settings (20 credits). Modules
  • Research Skills and Methods
  • Criminal Psychology, Offending Behaviour and the Criminal Justice System
  • Working with Specialist Populations in Forensic Psychology Settings
  • Professional Values and Ethics
  • Interpersonal Violence and Abuse
  • Negotiated learning
  • Dissertation

Assessment method

A full range of assessment methods has been selected in order to enhance student learning and to help students to demonstrate the extent to which they have achieved all the module learning outcomes, and, overall, the programme aims. Each module’s learning outcomes relate to the module assessment item(s). Students have an opportunity across the programme to self-reflect on their progression and their development. These self-reflections contribute to and are evidenced in assessments through a variety of means. Types and methods of assessment will include group seminars and presentations; essays; a portfolio of evidence (achievement of clinical competences and written evidence); viva, examination; OSCE/practical skills assessments; map of patient/client experience; reflective essay; community health profile; reflective incident recording; poster presentation; dissertation Modules use formative and summative assessment so that students progress through a module in a structured and constructive way and build knowledge for practice in a coherent and logical way. Formative assessments are designed so that feedback on the individual student’s performance is provided prior to the submission of the final, summative assessment – though this does not contribute to the final module mark or the credit awarded. The wordage – or equivalent – for both formative and summative assessments is counted towards the whole module assessment wordage.


Entry requirements

Students should have a 2:2 or above in a relevant undergraduate degree. Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course, please contact the Enquiry Centre for further details. Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) may be considered for relevant prior learning at the same academic level.


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £6720 Year 1
Northern Ireland £6720 Year 1
Scotland £6720 Year 1
Wales £6720 Year 1
International £13575 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/studentfinance for more information about student fees and finance, and for details about our alumni discount.
Psychology: Legal and Criminological at University of Cumbria - UCAS