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Forensic Psychology - MSc

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

Want to study a Forensic Psychology Master’s in Birmingham? Our MSc Forensic Psychology course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides the first step (Stage 1) towards gaining chartered status as a forensic psychologist....

  • Level Postgraduate Taught
  • Study mode Full Time/Part Time

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

Want to study a Forensic Psychology Master’s in Birmingham? Our MSc Forensic Psychology course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides the first step (Stage 1) towards gaining chartered status as a forensic psychologist.

In this course you will learn about some of the most dangerous offenders in society and their victims, the various approaches to assisting police with their enquires (investigative psychology), the Criminal Justice System from a psychological perspective, the role of forensic psychologists in various forensic settings, and you will develop skills that will prepare you for Stage 2 training or further postgraduate studies.

This course will also enhance your research skills and knowledge, through teaching you how to design high-level research projects, conduct statistical analysis, and to evaluate and scientifically report research findings.

The core aim of the course is to prepare you to work with clients and professionals in a range of forensic and forensic-related settings. Equipped with a sound knowledge of key theoretical and applied issues in forensic psychology, you will gain not only a critical appreciation of theoretical and factual concepts, but an awareness of the strengths and limitations of research evidence. The course integrates psychological theory with the development of practical skills and an understanding of professional practice.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

The aims of the course are to:

  • Equip you with a detailed critical understanding of the key theoretical and applied issues in forensic psychology, including investigative psychology procedures, the court system, the development of offending behaviour, the assessment and treatment of offenders, and the effects of offending on victims
  • Provide an understanding of forensic psychology techniques and the roles of other criminal justice professionals in the detection, prosecution, assessment and treatment of offenders
  • Enable you to acquire an advanced ability to design research, conduct statistical analysis, and evaluate and scientifically report research in forensic psychology
  • Enhance your skills in communication, group work, professionalism and application of IT so that you can perform at a high level of competence in these areas
  • Satisfy the academic requirements for Master’s-level knowledge as set out by the Division for Forensic Psychology of the British Psychological Society

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to demonstrate an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the key issues in forensic psychology of relevance to both academics and practitioners. Graduates of this course are expected to have developed advanced academic, intellectual and professional skills, with the ability to work autonomously and in team.

You will be taught by experts in the field of forensic psychology with a wide range of research specialisms, including our Course Director, Professor Michael Brookes OBE, a consultant chartered and registered forensic psychologist, appointed an OBE in 2013 for his services to HM Prison Service and the Care of Prisoners. You will also have the opportunity to attend lectures delivered by professionals currently working in forensic settings.

Our Psychology department has a wide range of psychology testing labs, equipment, and software to support your studies, as well as a dedicated BPS computer lab with networked computers with Psychology-specific software.

Accredited By

This course is accredited by:

  • The British Psychological Society

Why Choose Us?

  • Our distinctive modules in Investigative Psychology and Victimology offer you insight into different aspects of forensic psychology, in addition to our modules on Assessing and Treating Offenders, the Psychology of Law and Justice, and Forensic Skills (required for both practitioner and academic psychologists).
  • Completion of this MSc course enables you to gain specialist knowledge of dealing with people within the Criminal Justice System, including violent and sex offenders, offenders with personality disorders, victims of crime, the police and probation services.
  • You’ll be provided with training in forensic methods primarily from a psychological standpoint.
  • We have expert practitioners, such as Professor Michael Brookes OBE, who will support you throughout your study.
  • We have expert academics, including Dr Chrisa Pornari, who can supervise your research project in a wide range of areas including investigative psychology, jury decision making, interpersonal violence, rape myths and offender cognition.
  • We also have Dr Laura Hammond, who has expert skills in Investigative Psychology, Behavioural Modelling of Crime and Offender Profiling, Evidence Based Policing, Investigative Processes and Investigative Efficacy, The Use and Reliability of Evidence and Operational Applications of Psychology for the Police.
  • Our Psychology department has a wide range of psychology testing labs to suit all needs, including our BPS computer lab, which consists of more than thirty networked computers with Psychology-specific software such as SPSS, NVivo and others such as Opensesame.

  • With full or part-time options on offer, you can choose whether to study over one year or two. 

Find out more

OPEN DAY

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.

Next Event: 24 November 2024

Book now

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

Essential Requirements
Typical Offers (UK Students)

A minimum of an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Psychology or an MSc or Graduate Diploma in Psychology, with evidence of strong research methods skills. 

UK degrees must be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), international degrees must meet similar standards particularly with regards to research methods and statistics.

Any offer of a place is subject to satisfactory performance at interview.

Preferable

Experience of working with offenders and/or victims of crime in either a paid or voluntary capacity is desirable. Part-time students will normally be expected to be working in a forensic or forensic-related setting or have experience of this.

Additional information for EU/International students
Essential

Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept.

In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table.

English language requirements 2020/21
IELTS

6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands

If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information.

Other accepted qualifications Visit our English language page

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 12 months
  • £10,000 in 2025/26
  • £1112 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 80 credits
  • Year 2 - 100 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 12 months
  • £18,600 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Placement expenses (optional)

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home.

Memberships (optional)

You may wish to join a union or professional body related to this course, such as the British Psychological Society (BPS). Your first year of student membership is free, thereafter £31.68 per year whilst a student.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Entry Requirements

Please read, in full, the entry requirements for this course before applying.

Personal statement

You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.

If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.

Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.

Course in Depth

Modules

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):

Download course specification

Download now

How you learn

We use a range of learning, teaching, and assessment techniques on this course.

Learning takes place in the University, through the University’s virtual learning environment which is an online based tool, giving you the flexibility to study conveniently both in the university and at home. You will study in lectures and workshops, through electronic learning, reflective practice, court visits, prison visits, case studies and discussion groups.

In order to allow you to fully demonstrate the acquisition of learning and skills throughout the course, a range of assessment strategies are used, both formative and summative. These include essays, report writing and structured literature reviews; data analysis reports; preparing and delivering  presentations; reflective practice reports and examinations.

This course is accredited by the following organisation:

The British Psychological Society
The British Psychological Society

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, which not only demonstrates the high quality of our teaching provision, but also ensures our course remains cutting-edge, fresh and relevant.

The Society and its members develop, promote and apply psychology for the public good. They enhance the efficiency and usefulness of psychologists by setting high standards of professional education and knowledge, and cover all areas of psychological research and practice.

Find out more about British Psychological Society accreditation.

Employability

Enhancing your employability

You will have the opportunity to visit a local prison such as HMP Birmingham, attend court hearings and gain practical experience in one of the University’s mock courtrooms.

We will also assist in identifying work experience opportunities and the Centre for Academic Success offers 1:1 and small group private tutorials in English (including academic writing), study skills, maths, statistics, Word, Excel, programming, networking and project management.

Many graduates go on to gain employment within the health, charity and policing industries, such as working as a trainee forensic psychologist in a prison or mental health facility or as an assistant in one of these settings. You can also develop your academic career and choose to undertake further research within a higher education setting.

The research methods you will have practiced will provide you with the skills to embark on postgraduate research opportunities alongside your professional development if you wish to combine the professional and academic routes together.

International

Welcome to Birmingham City University, home to students from all around the world!

All of our undergraduate and postgraduate social sciences courses are open to international students, and our courses have been tailored to take a global approach to learning.

International Services

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Facilities & Staff

Our Facilities

We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent over £400 million on new learning facilities.

Psychology Labs

Explore the cutting-edge psychology labs, their resources and spaces that support our quest to unravel the complexities of the human mind and behaviour.

Learn about the Psychology Labs

Curzon with Millennium Point and Parkside

The Curzon Building

This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other social sciences, law and business students.

The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.

Realistic, simulated environments include two mock court rooms, a Magistrates' and Crown Court, and an interviewing suite. We’re also exploring the use of virtual environments as a way to develop case study analysis.

For those studying on the BA (Hons) Professional Policing or BA (Hons) Criminology, Policing and Investigation degrees, you’ll experience simulations of police interviewing environments for both suspects and witnesses, with access to tape recording and video playback analysis.

Crime investigation files are prepared using computer-based technology, and the crime data analysis requirements of the degree are supported by appropriate statistical and analytical software.

Psychology students can look forward to using state-of-the-art equipment as well, including the latest in eye-tracking software, and our new EEG machine, all geared towards giving you true hands-on experience with tools you’ll be using in your later career. You will also benefit from facilities across the wider campus including the Parkside and Millennium Point buildings.

The Curzon Building also features:

  • An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
  • Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
  • A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
  • Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
  • Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point

Our staff

Professor Michael Brookes OBE

Professor, MSc Forensic Psychology

Professor Michael Brookes was formerly Director of Therapeutic Communities at HMP Grendon where for eleven years he was the clinical lead within this accredited therapeutic community prison.

More about Michael

Dr Chrisa Pornari

MSc Forensic Psychology Co-Course Leader, Psychology Academic Lead for Distance & Transnational Education and Mobility

Dr Chrisa Pornari is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, a Chartered Psychologist, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She joined Birmingham City University in 2013 and she teaches on the MSc Forensic Psychology and the BSc Psychology courses.

More about Chrisa

Dr Laura Hammond

Professor of Psychology, Criminology and Policing

Laura’s research has focused on a wide range of related areas, from spatial patterns in crime and Geographical Profiling to investigative processes and decision-making, the modelling of crime and study of criminal actions, public perceptions and experiences of crime and juror decision-making.

More about Laura

Dr Silvia Fraga Dominguez

Lecturer in Forensic Psychology

Dr Silvia Fraga Dominguez decided to pursue academia because she wants to conduct research that can have a positive impact and enjoys sharing the most up-to-date research findings with students.

More about Silvia