Course summary
Immerse yourself in the only MSc programme that offers an entire module on offender cognition, explore relapse prevention, sex offenders with learning disabilities and the socio-demographic and psychological factors that lead to behaviours in some individuals and not others. This course is accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS) and satisfies the academic component of professional training required to become a chartered forensic psychologist. Reasons to study MSc Forensic Psychology at Kent
- Become part of Kent's Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology (CORE-FP) alongside a large team of internationally-renowned experts who are involved in major journals and assess and treat individuals who have offended
- Our module on the assessment and treatment of offenders is taught by practitioners who work with offenders every day
- Visit secure forensic establishments to broaden your experience and talk with staff who are chartered
- Test out your own theories and hypotheses in our excellent facilities, including brain stimulation and virtual reality laboratories
- Benefit from a dedicated MSc common room, equip with computers up to date with the software you will require
- Over 80% of our Psychology research was classified as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ for environment and publications in Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
- Recognition by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as meeting the nationally recognised criteria for preparation training for PhD research
- Discover your future in a subject ranked 16th in the UK for graduate prospects in The Complete University Guide 2022. Our recent graduates have started their own businesses, researched in the civil service and become practising Psychologists
Modules
The MSc in Forensic Psychology is composed of the following six compulsory modules: Statistics and Methodology; Research Project in Criminology,Legal or Forensic Psychology; Psychology of Criminal Conduct; Psychology of Law and Justice; Assessment and Treatment of Offenders in Forensic Settings; Forensic Cognition: Theory, Research and Practice.
Assessment method
The MSc in Forensic Psychology aims to satisfy the academic component of professional training in forensic psychology (that is, to become a Chartered Forensic Psychologist). Throughout the programme, you attend non-assessed seminars and go on site visits. The programme includes lecture, workshop and seminar-based teaching, as well as an individually supervised empirical research project. Advanced Statistics and Methodology is assessed by examination. All other taught modules are assessed by written work and presentations. Research is assessed by two articles: one empirical paper and one review article on your chosen topic.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- British Psychological Society
How to apply
International applicants
For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages. Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
Entry requirements
1.Degree requirement a. GBC status You must hold, or have applied for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC, formerly GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Please note that Graduate Membership of the BPS is not accepted. You will normally have GBC status if you hold a Psychology honours degree accredited by the BPS. Otherwise, you can apply to have your existing degree assessed by the BPS, or take a conversion course. If you are not sure whether you hold GBC status, please contact the BPS directly. b. Adequate level of academic achievement You must also hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree with a classification (grade average) of a high 2.1 (i.e. average grade of 65 or over) or Merit in the UK system (the second highest classification after First/Distinction). Results from institutions in other countries will be assessed individually according to this standard. c. Statistics and research methods training in the social sciences This programme includes a one-year statistics sequence which you must normally pass in order to receive your award. The teaching assumes that you are familiar with the following topics: Means and standard deviations Distributions, hypothesis testing and statistical significance t-tests Correlation coefficients Variables and measurement Therefore, your existing degree transcript should note that you have taken and passed a minimum of one term each in statistics and social science research methods courses (or two terms of a joint statistics and research methods course). 2. Forensic-related work/research experience We favour applicants with voluntary (or in some cases paid) work/research experience in a forensic setting, for example victim support, the police, the prison service, the NHS, or forensic-relevant charities. A reference is required from the relevant organisation. All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, and professional qualifications and experience will also be taken into account when considering applications.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
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
University of Kent
Recruitment and Admissions Office
Registry
Canterbury
CT2 7NZ
Course contact details
Visit our course pageRecruitment and Admissions Office
+44 (0) 1227 768896
+44 (0) 1227 827077