Course summary
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and, upon completion, provides students with eligibility to apply to the register to practice as Forensic Psychologists in the UK. The course is designed to be placement based, with various workshops for students as well as clinical and academic supervision. We have students from all over the UK so we aim to make access to workshops as straightforward as possible, and so workshops are usually delivered via Microsoft Teams. Each student will be allocated both a clinical supervisor and an academic supervisor – at least one of these supervisors will be an appropriately qualified and experienced Forensic Psychologist. Students should consider the availability of a forensic psychologist who is willing and able to offer supervision in their workplace or placement site for the duration of their studies. This Level 8 (doctoral level) programme builds on core knowledge and skills developed from a BPS-accredited MSc in Forensic Psychology. Students who successfully complete the programme and register as a Forensic Psychologist with HCPC can also proceed to complete the ‘top-up’ thesis element to achieve the Doctorate in Applied Forensic Psychology.
Modules
Ethical and Professional Practice (year 1) Advanced Applied Research (year 1) Teaching and Training (year 2) Consultancy (year 2) Professional Portfolio in Forensic Psychology (year 3) Professional Portfolio in Forensic Psychology (2) (year 3)
Assessment method
Students are assessed for competency and professionalism, these issues are reviewed in tri-partite supervision sessions every quarter for full time students. There are 6 modules that students will complete. The largest of these are the Portfolio modules where students will gather exemplars of their work with forensic psychology service users following the processes of assessment, intervention, evaluation and recommendation. Additionally, students will complete four reflective report modules on aspects of their practice; Functional Assessment and Formulation, Ethical and Professional Practice, Teaching and Training and Consultancy.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Health and Care Professions Council
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
Entry requirements
Applicants will be expected to have a BPS accredited Undergraduate degree and a BPS accredited Master's degree in Forensic Psychology (or equivalence of BPS Stage 1 training in forensic psychology). In addition to the academic qualifications detailed above, applicants will be expected to demonstrate extensive experience in applied forensic psychology. This can be demonstrated by being employed as a forensic psychologist in training, or a similar role where you have practiced, under supervision, forensic psychology with forensic service users. We recommend at least 1 year (full time) experience in these roles. We do accept Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for this programme and our rules of applying this mean we accept prior certified learning. This means that students may demonstrate that they have already demonstrated competency in areas assessed within this programme. Generally this will mean they can demonstrate that they have submitted, been assessed and passed aspects of a similar (HCPC Approved) programme in forensic psychology training. RPL is assessed individually and applicants should contact the Course Director with evidence of their RPL for further guidance. Students will be asked to consent to participation in role-play activities during the workshops associated with the programmes. Students unable to consent to such activities will be required to work with the programme team to achieve a suitable alternative experience. Students will need to able to evidence English language skills of IELTS level 7 with a minimum of 6.5 on each subtest. Before starting the programme, students must have an approved placement where appropriate supervised experience is offered by the placement site. For some students, their employment can be used as the placement (e.g. forensic psychologists in training employed by justice or health organisations). We support students who have been offered a place on the programme to find suitable placement opportunities. Students on placements where they are not employed by their placement provider will be expected to take out appropriate liability insurance at their own cost. The cost of liability insurance for students on placement varies, but should be less than £100.00 per year for most applicants. International Applicants Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 7.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the Cardiff Met website. For His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service applicants only: If you are employed by HMPPS and have financial support to apply to the programme, please choose the Commercial programme being -Postgraduate Diploma in Practitioner Forensic Psychology (Commercial) 11858 within the application self service system. This ONLY applies to people employed by HMPPS, all other applicants should follow the general application process. If you have any questions please contact Admissions at [email protected] or ring 029 2041 6040. Selection Procedure: Selection is normally based on a completed online application form and interview.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Republic of Ireland | £3150 | Year 1 |
England | £3150 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £3150 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £3150 | Year 1 |
Wales | £3150 | 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
Provider information
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Western Avenue
Cardiff
CF5 2YB