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Forensic Psychology at University of Bedfordshire - UCAS

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2024 - 20252025 - 20262026 - 2027
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Course summary

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. 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), giving you Stage 1 training towards becoming a registered psychologist. 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. 

Modules

Areas of study include:

  • Advanced Research Methods for Forensic Psychology
  • Assessments in Forensic Psychology
  • Criminal Psychology
  • Interventions in Forensic Psychology
  • Investigative Psychology
  • Legal Psychology
  • Professional Skills for Forensic Psychologists
  • Victimology
  • MSc Forensic Psychology Dissertation
Every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate at the point of publication on the UCAS website. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website.

Assessment method

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 (via an approved undergraduate degree or conversion postgraduate course). 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 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 and real life situations as well as the understanding and application of professional values, including ethical issues as detailed by the BPS. Examples of the range of assessment include: written essays, short answer questions exams, literature/systemic reviews, statistics workbooks, reflective portfolio, case studies, treatment formulation, presentations, review of an ethics submission, designing a training programme, and a dissertation. There is an initial assessment within the first six weeks. The purpose of this is to build student confidence in undertaking assessment tasks and to provide developmental feedback at an early stage. This enables the identification of any specialist or additional support that may be required to support monitoring processes, StAR boards etc. Every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate at the point of publication on the UCAS website. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/courses/postgraduate/next-year/forensic-psychology

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • British Psychological Society

Entry requirements

Good Honours degree in a relevant subject. To be admitted to the course applicants are normally required: to have attained at least a 2nd Class Honours degree in psychology to provide evidence of eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

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

For information on the 2025 fees and scholarships please refer to our website, https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/money/fees/

Sponsorship information

For information on postgraduate funding, please visit: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/postgraduatestudy/postgraduate-fees-and-funding

Forensic Psychology at University of Bedfordshire - UCAS