Course summary
Forensic Psychology is the practice and application of psychological research relevant to crime, policing, the courts, the criminal and civil justice system, offenders, prison, secure settings, offender management, health and academic settings as well as private practice. It looks at the role of environmental, psychosocial, and socio-cultural factors that may contribute to crime or its prevention. The primary aim of Forensic Psychology as an academic discipline is to develop understanding of the processes underlying criminal behaviour and for this improved understanding to impact on the effective management and rehabilitation of different groups of offenders in all settings within the criminal justice system. Working collaboratively with His Majesty's Prison and Probation Services (HMMPS) and secure forensic mental health facility providers in Wales helps keep the programme up to date with strategy development and policy decisions. Regular contributions from Practitioner Forensic Psychologists working in Wales enables students to understand more about regional services and their impact on society locally. In addition, the programme benefits from the input of several national and international contributors who share their extensive specialist knowledge and experience within the field of Forensic Psychology.
Modules
Students will complete the following taught modules and will also be required to conduct an empirical supervised research dissertation with participants, preferably drawn from a forensic setting: Research Methods and Design This module aims to consolidate undergraduate research abilities and equip students with the skills necessary to undertake master's level research; in doing so students will be equipped with the skills to critically review and evaluate a range of research methodologies including both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. (Conducting research & implementing methodologies will be done in the Dissertation module.) Applied Psychology Practice This module aims to introduce and develop skills that are relevant to Psychology in practice. Develop an understanding of the principles and approaches to effective communication. Develop an understanding of interprofessional working and ethical practice. Apply evidence-based knowledge to discipline specific areas of practice. Foundation in Forensic Psychology The module aims to develop students' independent critical skills in relation to the selection, evaluation and communication of research findings and theory in Forensic Psychology and Criminology. The module aims are congruent with the BPS's scientist/practitioner model of professional Forensic Psychology practice. Psychological Assessment and Interventions This module aims to provide an understanding of how theory and research in psychology may be applied to assessments and interventions undertaken with people with offending histories as part of their rehabilitation pathways. Legal Psychology This module aims to provide students with knowledge of the legal system in Wales and England and its interactions with forensic psychology. It aims to provide students with an understanding of how theory and research in psychology may be applied to legal issues and for students to critically assess the contribution and effectiveness psychology has made in the legal system. Forensic Psychology and Professional Practice This module aims to provide students with general transferable skills (in e.g. report writing and ethical decision-making). To provide students with transferable skills that relate directly to the practice of forensic psychology, whilst also equipping students with the knowledge and understanding of how forensic psychologists work, both as individuals and within systems. Project and Career Planning The aim of this module is to enable students to design and develop an advanced specialist project in their discipline to enhance their own and/or others' learning, work, or practice. Students will also evaluate their own knowledge, skills, and experiences as researchers and how this informs their developing professional identity as they move towards becoming a trainee forensic psychologist. They will use this reflective activity to evaluate their current strengths and prioritise areas for improvement relevant to their own career goals and ambitions. Project The aim of this module is to enable students to work independently to investigate an area in their discipline relevant to their own learning, work, or practice, and to present and discuss their findings, demonstrating a systematic understanding and critical awareness of their discipline and area of professional practice.
Assessment method
Our programme and modules are designed to offer opportunities for formative tasks and feedback to help build confidence and develop your ability to evaluate your own progress. We use authentic assessment tasks which enable you to apply your knowledge and skills to scenarios, activities and settings commonly encountered in professional practice. The programme includes a range of assessment methods, including: Presentations Reports Essays Reflective reports Academic posters Research proposal and research paper To reflect the applied nature of your studies, the programme contains no unseen written examinations. We carefully plan our assessment schedule to avoid excessive bunching of similar types of assessment, and realistic deadlines. Every assessment includes a detailed briefing and clearly defined marking criteria, which have been developed and tested in partnership with students.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- British Psychological Society
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
A good honours degree (normally 2.1 or above) in Psychology, from a BPS (British Psychological Society) accredited undergraduate course. In addition, applicants will be expected to demonstrate experience in a relevant area, for example, experience with victims, offenders or service providers in a forensic domain. Roles and responsibilities will need to be evidenced within the application, as well as detailing duration and hours per week undertaken. In exceptional cases, applicants who have achieved a lower second class award in an accredited Psychology undergraduate degree but have extensive relevant work experience may be considered for admission to the Programme. What counts as relevant experience in an applied forensic setting? Relevant experience can range from paid or voluntary work with Youth Offending teams, or Victim Support, to charity work supporting offenders, through to people who are working as Assistant Psychologists within secure settings, or working with Prison/Probation services. You may gain experience in settings that are not directly supporting a forensic population, for example volunteering in a homeless charity organisation. In such cases your personal statement should reflect your understanding of the shared vulnerability factors and co-occurring behaviours between homelessness and offending. Whilst no minimum time period is specified, it is important that the applicant is able to reflect on their experience and be able to write a strong personal statement in their application. This should include what contact the applicant has had with clients, what their role was in the organisation, how it might be useful in their studies and how it has helped them develop knowledge and skills in the area of Forensic Psychology. I obtained a 2:2 in my undergraduate degree. Can I still apply for the MSc Forensic Psychology? The minimum entry criteria to apply for the MSc is a 2:1 BSc degree (accredited by the British Psychological Society) and relevant forensic experience (see above). In exceptional circumstances, we will consider applicants with a 2:2 BPS undergraduate degree where there is evidence of extensive applied experience in a forensic setting and where the applicant can demonstrate that they can meet the academic demands of the programme. My undergraduate degree is not accredited by the British Psychological Society. Would you still consider an application? As the MSc is accredited by the British Psychological Society and represents Stage 1 of the training to becoming eligible for applying for registration as a Practitioner Psychologist (Forensic) with the Health and Care Profession, we require all applicants to have a BPS accredited undergraduate degree. To be considered, the applicant must have completed a conversion qualification prior to application. Full details of available conversion courses can be found on the British Psychological Society's website. English Language requirement 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. Selection Procedure: Selection is normally based on a completed application form and interview.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £1225 | Module |
| England | £1225 | Module |
| Northern Ireland | £1225 | Module |
| Scotland | £1225 | Module |
| Wales | £1225 | Module |
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Western Avenue
Cardiff
CF5 2YB