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30+ Forensic Psychology Dissertation Topics

Published by Owen Ingram at January 2nd, 2023 , Revised On May 3, 2024

As the field of forensic psychology is still relatively new, there are numerous research issues to address. if you want to write a strong paper on forensic psychology, first, you have to look for convincing and well-researched forensic psychology dissertation topics and choose one of them.

Here’s a list of some fascinating areas of study in forensic psychology and some forensic psychology dissertation topics for you:

Forensic Psychology Dissertation Topics & ideas

• How forensic psychologists influence decisions about child custody
• Adolescent Antisocial Behavior and Childhood Trauma
• The Consequences of Being a Juvenile Offender in the Future
• Interviewing Children as Eyewitnesses: Ethical Challenges
• Instances of Child Abuse, Mental Illness, and the Death Penalty: Forensic Psychology
• Schizophrenia and Criminal Behavior Are Associated
• Are criminal acts more likely to be committed by those with particular mental illnesses?
• How do forensic assessments alter when considering conjecture and bias?
• Can forensic psychologists anticipate potential danger in the future?
• What guidelines should psychologists adhere to when speaking with criminals in court?
• Explain why the testimony of a mentally ill eyewitness is credible
• How trustworthy and legitimate is an eyewitness’ memory?
• What standards of conduct should forensic psychologists adhere to when testifying in court?
• Discuss how a person’s upbringing can prevent them from becoming a serial killer
• Define internet policing and discuss some effective tactics for it
• What part do video games, movies, and the internet play in encouraging criminal copycats?
• Explain why domestic violence against men is often overlooked by society
• What causes mass murder, and why is it so common in the United States?
• Are there enough safeguards in place to lessen the chances that students in special education may wind up in jail or prison?
• What effects does a job in law enforcement have on a person’s personal life?
• Murders of minors: List the elements that affect regions with high child murders
• Are the criminal justice system and prisons effective at rehabilitation?
• Describe the elements that led to the formation of domestic terrorism
• The rise in vulnerability has made more domestic terrorists appear
• The efficiency of rehabilitation within the criminal justice system and in prisons
• What influences regions where there are more child killings by children? Juvenile murder
• Is enough being done to reduce the likelihood that special education students will end up in jail or prison?
• What leads to mass murders in the United States?
• Is domestic violence directed against men being overlooked by society?
• The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Criminal Behavior
• The Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Programs in Reducing Recidivism Rates
• A Forensic Perspective on the Relationship Between Mental Illness and Criminality
• The Role of Forensic Psychology in Investigating and Prosecuting Cybercrimes
• Understanding the Psychological Profiles of Serial Killers: Case Studies and Analysis
• Investigating the Influence of Media on Jury Decision Making in High-Profile Criminal Cases
• The Use of Forensic Psychology in Child Custody Evaluations and Family Court Proceedings
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Risk Assessment Tools in Predicting Future Violence
• Forensic Psychological Analysis of Hate Crimes
• The Role of Forensic Psychology in Investigating White-Collar Crimes and Corporate Misconduct
• Investigating the Role of Psychopathy in Violent and Nonviolent Offending Behaviors
• The Use of Forensic Psychology in Child Abuse Investigations and Legal Proceedings
• Psychological Factors Influencing Criminal Rehabilitation and Reintegration into Society
• Investigating the Relationship Between Mental Health Disorders and Fire Setting Behavior
• Forensic Assessment of Malingering and Exaggeration in Personal Injury Cases
• The Role of Forensic Psychology in Preventing and Responding to Domestic Violence
• Assessing the Impact of Pretrial Publicity on Juror Bias and Decision Making
• Investigating the Role of Forensic Psychology in Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Cases
• The Use of Forensic Psychology in Evaluating Witness Credibility and Reliability
• The Effectiveness of Sex Offender Treatment Programs in Reducing Recidivism
• The Use of Forensic Psychology in Identifying and Rehabilitating Psychopathic Offenders

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ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

Further Subject-Related Topics: Business Psychology Dissertation Topics , Cognitive Psychology Topics , Development Psychology Dissertation Topics

Your ability to conduct in-depth research may limit the subject matter you can explore in a forensic psychology dissertation. Having a qualified writer assist you as you complete your dissertation can alleviate some stress. Hopefully, these forensic psychology dissertation topics will help you with the dissertation writing process .

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to find forensic psychology dissertation topics.

To find forensic psychology dissertation topics:

• Explore crime and psychology intersections.
• Research recent legal cases.
• Examine forensic assessment methods.
• Investigate offender behaviors.
• Consider ethical dilemmas.
• Choose a niche that captivates your interest.

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• How It Works

Forensic Psychology

School of Health and Society

September 2024

In a nutshell

This course will equip you with valuable professional insight and skills necessary to progress into a career in Forensic Psychology. Building on our expert research and practice in the discipline area, you will critically evaluate the current knowledge, theory and evidence base in Forensic Psychology, and will also develop the skills and capabilities relevant to progression to professional practice.

The programme will use a range of unique techniques and research methods applicable to psychological enquiry. 

Forensic Psychology is a growth area in the UK and offers multiple employment routes. 

Please note, an application for accreditation has been submitted to The British Psychological Society.

• Understand psychological theories that have a central role to play in modern Forensic Psychology Practice.
• Receive support from a highly qualified team of research/practice-informed psychology staff.

All about the course

This course aims to enable you to develop a detailed knowledge and critical understanding of Forensic Psychology.

The full-time route is structured over 12 months and comprises of three 13-week semesters. In semesters one and two you will complete two taught modules in each semester. In semester three you will complete your dissertation under the supervision of one of the course tutors. If you choose to follow the part-time route you will complete the course over three years, completing two taught modules in each of the first two years and the dissertation in your third year. 

The dissertation module on this course will also give you the opportunity to pursue an area of Forensic Psychology directly related to your own work or interest. 

Psychology of the Legal System and Courtroom

This module will examine the psychological aspects of each step of the legal process in the criminal justice system. A range of practical and theoretical models will be covered and applied. 

Psychology of Criminal Behaviour and Investigation

This module will cover the range of contemporary approaches to understanding criminal behaviour within psychology and will also explore the psychology of the criminal justice system including approaches to investigation from detection to interrogation and conviction and the treatment of offenders. 

Psychological Assessment and Applications

This module will explore the psychological aetiology of offenders in the criminal justice system and how offenders are managed and treated with a range of treatment and intervention approaches and the evidence for their efficacy. The diversity of offenders will also be addressed as will how an initial assessment can be undertaken and can then lead to suitable management and intervention pathways for, where appropriate, rehabilitation and avoiding recidivism and the policy and practice implications of such approaches. 

Research Methods in Psychology

You will develop a critical understanding and a creative and rigorous approach to the process of research. This will prepare you to complete a research dissertation in the field of Forensic Psychology. 

Dissertation

Here, you will be provided with the opportunity to pursue research in an area of Forensic Psychology that directly relates to your own work or interests, or your future career aspirations. 

Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.

What will I be doing?

This course is taught using a mixture of approaches including the following:

• Discussion/debates
• Video presentation
• Research seminars and workshops
• Guest speaker presentations
• Student presentations
• Directed study

Assessment on this programme will consist of written work (including a dissertation) totalling 90%, and an oral presentation equating to 10%.

The School of Health and Society

We are focused on enhancing the health and wellbeing of patients, service users and athletes and our commitment to public involvement help us retain our strong focus on real-world issues. 

We provide a comfortable and friendly environment for you to carry out a wide range of psychological testing. These include:

• The eye tracker laboratory uses the Tobii x50 eye tracker to monitor conscious and unconscious gaze movements
• Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)
• Immersive environments
• An observation suite with a two-way mirror
• A video game analysis laboratory where you can analyse the psychological and physiological effects of violent video games
• A dedicated computer suite that allows access to a range of psychological programs such as ERTSLab and E-Prime

Programme tutors

Dr Helen Hart

Helen is a Chartered Forensic Psychologist and has worked in the area of forensic psychology for 25 years, completing her training via HM Prison Service where she was Head of Departments in medium and maximum secure prisons. She specialised in the assessment and treatment of very high-risk men who had committed violent and sexual offences, the assessment of psychopathy and personality disorders.  She works across the criminal justice system, supporting professionals working within complex areas such as sexual exploitation and terrorism and provides expert witness reports for the court system, specifically within complex areas such as non-accidental injury and domestic violence.  She has completed a doctorate looking at trauma and community resilience following the Manchester Arena bomb.  Helen also supports the work of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Forensic Psychology as part of their Qualification Board and is an Associate Fellow of the BPS. 

Professor Clare Alley

Clare is a Professor in Forensic Psychology at the University of Salford in Manchester, England and is an affiliate member of the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre at Gothenburg University, Sweden. Clare holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Manchester and has previously graduated with an MA (hons.) in Psychology from the University of Glasgow, an MRes in Psychological Research Methods from the University of Strathclyde and an MSc in Forensic Psychology from Glasgow Caledonian University. Clare is also an Honorary Research Fellow in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences affiliated to the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow. She is also an Associate of the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice (CYCJ) at the University of Strathclyde. Clare also acts as an expert witness in criminal cases and HCPC fitness to practice cases and also contributes to the evidence base used in the courts on psychology and legal issues through her published work. 

Dr Rachael Thompson

Rachael completed a first degree in Psychological Studies and Master’s by Research with the University of Huddersfield. Currently, Rachael is completing a PhD titled ‘Morality and Offending: A Comparison between Sexual and Non-Sexual Offenders and Public Perceptions of These Offender Groups’. Rachael has also undertaken a Lifelong Learning Postgraduate Diploma in Education, is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is a member of the British Psychological Society as well as the British Criminological Society. Furthermore, Rachael is currently an Associate Editor for the Journal of Criminal Psychology. 

Dr Simon Cassidy

Simon is a Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award. Simon’s current research focusses on understanding aspects of psychological resilience and exploring interventions to develop resilience. 

Dr Rod Dubrow-Marshall

Rod is a psychologist and graduate member of the BPS (MBPsS) and is a member of the BPS Division of Social Psychology. An experienced lecturer in psychology and researcher including in psychology, policy, education and mental health, Rod has co-led the development of this course. He has also worked for over 20 years in the areas of coercive control and abuse and cultic studies and undue influence and is co-editor of the International Journal of Coercion Abuse and Manipulation. Rod also co-founded the Re-Entry Therapy Information and Referral Network in the UK. Rod is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. 

Dr Linda Dubrow-Marshall

Linda is an HCPC Registered Clinical and Counselling Psychologist, a BACP Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist, and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Linda designed the in-house counselling service for the University of Salford and is the Co-Chair of the Ethical Approval Panel for Taught Programmes for the School of Health and Society. She researches CBT and physical health, technology-enhanced psychotherapy, self-care and ethical issues for psychological therapists, and cultic influences. 

What about after uni?

You may also progress into leadership positions within the field of forensic psychology. Some of our graduates will go on to complete a doctorate in Forensic Psychology. 

A taste of what you could become

Forensic Psychologist

Criminal Profiler

Prison Psychologist

Victim Support Worker

and more...

What you need to know

Applicant profile.

The programme will appeal to graduates with a sound understanding of core psychology and an interest in forensic psychology. Students will want to help further research in this field and become leaders in their profession. 

Undergraduate degree

Upper second-class (2.1) honours degree in psychology. 

International applicants

International applicants must have eligibility for BPS Graduate Basis of Chartered (GBC) membership which would usually be acquired by having studied a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree in psychology. We are unable to accept applicants without such eligibility. 

English Language Requirements

International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element below 5.5) is proof of this. If you need to improve your written and spoken English, you might be interested in our English language courses . 

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course. 

Two forms of APL may be used for entry: The Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Scholarships for International Students

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our  international scholarships . 

All set? let's apply

Still have some questions? Register for one of our  Open Days  or contact us:

By email:  [email protected] By phone:  +44 (0)161 295 4545

Enrolment dates

September 2025

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Library Dissertation Showcase

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Subject: Forensic Psychology

Weapon focus effect – does perpetrator size and expression impact upon recall and accuracy.

• Forensic Psychology
• Year of Publication:
• MSc Forensic Psychology

Creating a fairer police lineup

• Josh Hawkins

Does the strength of weapon focus effect depend on race and perpetrator size? An eye tracking study

• Phoebe Louise Barnsley
• BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic Psychology

Evaluating the effectiveness of schema therapy for behavioural change in forensic patients with personality disorders

• Olivia A. Cressey

Undertaking the function and associated risks of sexual behaviour for those with borderline personality disorder features

• Holly Horwood

Punitive attitudes towards sex offenders and the effects of labelling

• Katie Westfield

Moral dilemmas: will you regret your decisions? A study on the influence of anticipated regret

• Skye Lily Sampson

An investigation into the effects of gender identity on the perception of sex offenders

• David Karan

The development and validation of the Social media social cues questionnaire (SMSCQ)

• Cally Fairweather

A thematic analysis of the effectiveness of the Assisting Rehabilitation through Collaboration (ARC) programme in Lincolnshire

• Niamh Reeson

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Forensic Psychology

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Key information.

Duration: 4 years full time

Institution code: R72

Campus: Egham

UK fees * : £4,786

International/EU fees ** : £18,200

The multidisciplinary Department of Law and Criminology is home to applied, theoretical and doctrinal research across Criminology, Forensic Psychology, Law, Social Work, and Sociology. In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), 100% of our submission was assessed as world leading or internationally excellent for research impact.

The Department is home to about 50 research active staff and 50 PhD students. We offer a stimulating research environment in which PhD students are expected to be a part of the multidisciplinary research groups and contribute to PhD-led seminars and development activities. Our students benefit from opportunities for research methods training and we have a network of external organisations who are willing to support optional short-term placements and knowledge exchange opportunities.

You can find detailed  research profiles  of our staff here, by selecting the Departmental Research Group of most relevance to your proposed research and following the links to staff profile pages.

Alternatively, you can find a list of staff here (use the Criminology and Sociology drop down menu to locate Forensic Psychology staff).

Please note that by studying this degree your award title will not include the subject of study but will simply state you've completed a PhD. 

Research facilities and environment

Our activities are organised around the Departmental Research Clusters which cover interdisciplinary domains of Crime and Punishment, Families and Children, Health and Social Care, and Rights and Freedoms. Many staff and PhD students are members of more than one research group.

Research Clusters organise monthly seminars and annual research impact-related events with external stakeholders, which PhD students are invited to attend. During the academic year PhD students are expected to attend Departmental workshops and to attend research and professional development events organised by the College-wide Doctoral School. There are also opportunities for students to organise mini conferences or seminar series.

We understand the importance of fostering professional and transferable skills for doctoral students, and fully support presenting papers at academic conferences in the UK and abroad. We are committed to our students' success, providing mock vivas, annual reviews, and personal advice on issues such as managing time pressures, meeting deadlines, and career development.

Students register for an MPhil and then participate in an upgrade process before the 20 th  month of studies, if in full time study (40 th  month part time). The upgrade requires submission of thesis chapters for consideration by a panel of Departmental staff and a formal presentation to this panel. Following upgrade, students follow a PhD registration and are expected to submit the thesis by the end of their third year of full time study, or at the latest by the end of their fourth year (part time by the end of the 8 th  year).

Part of the training throughout the programme is attending internal and external seminars. In addition, we run a PhD seminar series where students present their on-going research and receive feedback from their peers and the faculty.

Entry requirements

Candidates for a place on the MPhil/PhD programme will have undergraduate and taught Masters degrees in a relevant subject. The Masters degree would typically have included training in advanced research methods, and be awarded with a Distinction or high Merit.

The Department welcomes applications from suitably qualified and highly motivated candidates. The application process for our postgraduate research programmes is interactive.

Please follow these steps for enquiring about and applying for a PhD in Forensic Psychology:

1. Make an informal enquiry before you apply

In the first instance, you should check the research interests of  members of academic staff  to see who is active in the area that you are interested in. Follow the drop-down menu for Criminology and Sociology to identify staff with expertise related to Forensic Psychology. When you have identified a potential supervisor (with relevant expertise to your proposed research), send to them an outline research proposal and a CV, setting out your qualifications and experience. You should expect to have a series of discussions with this member of staff (by email, by telephone/MSTeams, or in person) about the project, options for funding, and your career aspirations. These discussions will help the member of staff decide whether or not they would be an appropriate supervisor for your proposed project, if they have availability for supervision.

2. Submit an application

When a member of staff has agreed in principle to supervise your project, you should then submit an application form using the  online application system . Ensure that you indicate the name of the proposed supervisor/s.

One of the most important aspects of your application is the research proposal. The purpose of the research proposal is two-fold: first, to help determine whether your topic corresponds with the interests and expertise of the proposed supervisor(s) and, second, to make clear how the research will make an original contribution to theoretical and applied knowledge in the field.

The proposal is important as it will allow the Department to assess your aptitude for doctoral-level research, to allocate supervision appropriately, and to ensure we are fully able to support the study you propose. Although you are required formally to submit the proposal with your application for doctoral study, it is a document you should develop in discussion with a member of staff in the Department of Law and Criminology before you submit this formally.

The proposal should be approximately 2,000 words in length (excluding the reference list) and include the following sections:

At this stage, a working title that summarises the proposed focus is more than adequate.

b. Introduction, Research Question and Rationale

The introduction should, in a succinct way, provide an overview of, and rationale for, the proposed project. You should explain the project focus, main research question and broad aims, and how it will make an original contribution to theory and practice. The introductory section needs to outline the basic argument the thesis intends to advance, as well as what it will aim to demonstrate. In simple terms, explain what the project is about, why it is innovative, why the project matters, why you are the right person to undertake it, and why the Department of Law and Criminology is the most appropriate place to be based.

c. Literature Review

Any proposed project should make clear how it relates to existing research on the topic (or related topics). In this section, you should summarise the current state of scholarship on your topic and explain the ways in which your project will draw from, and build on, that work. In this part of the proposal, you are demonstrating your knowledge of the field and the ways in which your project will make meaningful contributions.

d. Data and Methodology

Detail the sources of data (qualitative and/or quantitative) that you will require in order to answer your research questions and the specific methods you intend to apply in order to collect or generate those data. You should offer a clear explanation for your selection of research methods: Why one method rather than another?

This section should also offer an account of your analytical strategy. How will you make sense of your data? Will you require any specialist software to complete that analysis? Will your project involve fieldwork? If so, to where? How will that fieldwork be financed and supported?

Include a section on the ethical implications of your proposed topic. Which ethical issues are raised by your project? How do you intend to address them?

e. Proposed thesis structure and timeline

In this section you should outline the structure of your thesis and demonstrate that you have thought about how you are going to structure and organise the argument put forward in your thesis. Additionally, you should propose a timeline for your project, and demonstrate how you think you will organise your time in the three years you will work on your thesis.

f. Reference list

List here, using the citation system common to your discipline, the sources referred to in the proposal.

3. After applying

All applications are subject to review by a panel of academic members of staff in the Department of Law and Criminology. Applicants will be informed of the outcome as soon as the panel has met.

Further details

For further information concerning applications for postgraduate research in the department, please contact  Dr Caterina Nirta , Departmental Lead for Postgraduate Research.

English language requirements

All teaching at Royal Holloway is in English. You will therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start.

The scores we require

• IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
• Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.

Country-specific requirements

For more information about country-specific entry requirements for your country please see  here .

Our PhD programme is very successful and our alumni have gone on to undertake careers in a variety of roles, particularly in the criminal justice, education, and health and social care sectors. Our graduates have also gone on to have extremely successful careers in a variety of Universities including here at Royal Holloway, University of London, as well as at other institutions both inside and outside the UK.

The Department actively supports the placement of PhD students in external organisations that can enhance PhD research impact, employability skills, and knowledge exchange.

Fees & funding

Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £4,786

EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £18,200

Other essential costs***: There are no individual costs greater than £50 per item.

…How do I pay for it? Find out more about   funding options,   including loans, grants,   scholarships   and bursaries. 

* and ** These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2024/25.

* Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home   tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry.   For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the   UKRI website.

** This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2024/25.   

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually, based on the UK’s Retail Price Index (RPI). Please therefore be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. For further information, please see our  terms and conditions .

***   These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2024/25 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included. 

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Postgraduate Study - PhD and Research Degrees

Doctor of Forensic Psychology (DForenPsy)

• Postgraduate Research home

Research topics and degrees

• Doctor of Forensic Psychology

Study mode details

Full time, 3 years

• A new programme developed to look to the future of forensic psychology
• Combining the portfolio expertise in training therapeutic skills with training in complex forensic understanding
• Opportunity to join a programme engaged with a network of forensic providers across different forensic settings
• Commitment to interprofessional learning and development
• Supervisors with extensive experience in forensic psychology, clinical neuropsychology and mood disorders
• Commitment to equity, inclusion and promoting diversity

View 2024 Entry

Apply online (Applications will close 17th May 2024)

Ask a question

Clinical doctorates website

Email:  [email protected]

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 75 in the world for Psychology

QS World University Rankings 2022

11th in the UK for internationally excellent research in Psychology

REF 2021 based on 4* and 3* research, submitted to UoA4 Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

Top 10 for Psychology

The Complete University Guide 2023

Internationally respected and fast developing social, environmental and organisational psychology research group, and a major centre for cognitive, clinical and neuroscience research

Accreditation

The Doctor of Forensic Psychology programme is an integrated taught, research and placement-based training programme for aspirational early career forensic psychologists seeking to learn the knowledge, skills, values and competences required to practise as a Health and Care Professions Council registered Forensic Psychologist and meet Chartered status within the British Psychological Society’s Division of Forensic Psychology.

Supervision

Students have access to senior, research active supervisors and teachers in a range of research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative, with a wide spectrum of research interests. For more information about the course team and their clinical and research interests, see our Staff Profiles . 

You can expect:

•    High-quality research supervision to develop and nurture your potential •    A tailored supervision approach to help best suit your requirements •    Accessible supervisors who are enthusiastic about working directly with postgraduate research students •    Regular meetings with your supervisor •    Regular meetings with your supervisory team, other members of your research group, and mentors

Course content

This exciting new Forensic Doctorate aims to train highly skilled professionals to enable to work in prisons, in the community, and within the criminal justice system.  The programme trains students in conducting psychological applications and interventions, research, communicating psychological knowledge to others, and to train other professionals in psychological skills and knowledge.  The programme is integrated with our DClinPsy programme ensuring quality teaching in therapeutic skills, as well as providing separate specialist forensic training. It is designed to support students to engage in the dual role of forensic psychologist practitioner and researcher, with students receiving a professional doctorate degree as an output.  

Course design

This programme consists of an academic taught element, and research thesis, and placements. The programme aims to develop student competencies across the 4 core roles of a forensic psychologist and the relevant core competencies to practice as a forensic psychologist. The curriculum includes teaching on:

• Assessment & formulation
• Therapy & Intervention skills
• Theories of offending
• Professional issues & ethics
• Mental health & neurodevelopmental disorders   
• Risk assessment     
• Psychology & the court system   
• Psychology, law & criminal justice   
• Leadership & consultancy  
• Supervision   
• Research  

Structure and delivery

The programme is delivered across 3 years, with the academic year starting in the last week of September. Students will attend Streatham Campus for a week of block teaching at the start of the Autumn, and Spring terms. The rest of the programme’s taught element and research supervision will be delivered online. In a usual week, students will spend: 1 day being taught academic content online, 1 day conducting their own research, and 3 days working on placement.

Collaboration with services

This programme is a collaborative endeavour with service providers.  We have worked hard to identify not just the professional requirements of the British Psychological Society, and Health and Care Professions Council, but also to explore with service providers what they need from Forensic Psychologists.  In this way students have the opportunity to join a doctorate that is grounded in practice, while also offered by a research-intensive university to gain the best of both dimensions.

DClinPGR Portfolio

The DForenPsy is located within the DClinPGR Portfolio, which offers a range of professional doctorates, providing candidates opportunities to develop interprofessional working skills, and to gain greater insight into people undertaking doctoral training as Health Care Professionals, Psychotherapists and Clinical Psychologists.  

Entry requirements

Graduate Basis for Registration (GBC) confirmed at time of application from the British Psychological Society.

 Plus one of the following

• 1st class or 2:1 psychology degree or a non-psychology degree plus completion of an accredited psychology conversion course.
• 2:2 undergraduate psychology degree plus a relevant research Masters, DPhil or PhD. 
• 2:2 without a Masters if one of the contextual admissions criteria is met.

You should be able to demonstrate research experience beyond undergraduate (e.g. audit).

You should have relevant experience, preferably in forensic psychology or a clinical psychology setting, beyond observation of working with a client a forensic psychologist would work with.

You should be able to demonstrate an ability to manage conflicting perspectives.

You should have experience of working with groups and managing complex relationships.

You should have an understanding of forensic contexts (minimum criteria of this would be through an observation).

You will need to pass an Enhanced DBS check.

We actively welcome applicants from a diversity of backgrounds (e.g., culture, socio-economic status).​

International students

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2 : view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country

How to apply

Applications will be through the university

The information below applies to self-funded DForenPsy applicants.  In some cases there may be funded places available through trusts or other organisations. 

• Apply online through the University applications system.
• Complete the application form and include your relevant academic and work history.
• Include a personal statement that covers all of the additional entry information.
• If proceeding to the next stage, attend an interview with the programme team.

For international students, not based in the UK you will need to:

• Identify a BPS accredited supervisor and Forensic placement
• Ensure that you meet our English language entry requirements (international students only)
• Apply online

Funding opportunities will be provided by the programme as they become available.  Please email [email protected] for further details.

We are currently liaising with a number of placement providers throughout England and Wales and so we are welcoming applications from a wide range of geographical locations. Although trainees will be required to attend the University for three weeks per year for block teaching at the start of each term.

Please note: programmes are subject to minimum enrolment cohort numbers.

Please note: The programme start date will be dependent on university academic approval.

For 2024 entry, the timeline is likely to be:

• May 17th Admissions close
• May 24th Interview offers sent out
• June 6th and 7th Interviews held in person at Exeter Streatham Campus
• June 7th and 10th Conditional offer letters sent
• Last week of September/first week of October Programme start date

What is the reference process?

At the application stage, you can upload a reference if you have been provided one (on letterhead and signed). If you have not got a reference yet, or your referee would prefer to send it to the university direct, you can provide your referee’s email address. When your application is submitted, you will receive a generic email reminding you to upload your reference ASAP, the application portal will remain open to you after the deadline to add a reference.

What if I/ my referee cannot provide a reference by May 17th?

 It is preferred that you provide a reference via the application portal, or via email to PGR Admissions by May 17th but if it is not possible, that is ok. The university will be in touch. If you are successful, your offer might be on the condition of your reference however so do bear this in mind.

I am providing a reference for an applicant, do you have a template?

Not for this year (2024). Please comment on the applicant’s suitability using the entry requirements on this page. Please cover academic ability and working experiences with you.

Fees and funding

In terms of funding we will put you in touch with any partners who may offer funding or sponsorship to trainees, if this becomes available. However, you may also wish to access a student loan, the details are available here . Please ensure you read the PGR Student loans page carefully.

We accept applicants who intend to use Accreditation of Prior Learning to transfer onto this doctoral programme. Please ensure you read the PGR Student loans page carefully.

Fees 2024/25

Tuition fees per year 2024/25

• £14,000 per year for 3 years

International:

• £25,000 per year for 3 years

Funding opportunities will be provided by the programme as they become available. Please email [email protected]  for further details.

This degree is an integrated Stage 1 and Stage 2 doctoral programme that on completion will allow you to practise as a Forensic Psychologist, and to be eligible for registration with the HCPC as a Forensic Psychologist.  There are a range of different jobs that you will be eligible for on graduation including in prisons, secure services and community locations. There is increasing demand for Forensic Psychologists, making them highly employable. We are working with multiple employers who are keen to employ our graduates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many places are available?

We are expecting to offer a maximum of 20 places in our first year. Future offers will depend on demand, resources and placements.

Please do not let competition dissuade you from applying; we're really looking forward to hearing from you... and ultimately developing a strong forensic psychologist workforce in the South West and nationally!

What is the application/interview process?

First, you will complete your application online, including a personal statement and reference or referees’ details to comment on your academic and work experience suitability.

Applications will be screened against eligibility criteria, and successful applicants will be invited to an in-person interview via email.

If you are an international student, we can hold the interview online but please note that this is an exceptional circumstance.

Shortly after interviewing, you will hear the outcome of your interview.  If you are successful at this stage, you will be given a conditional offer and will have a short timeframe to accept your place.

Offers are subject to satisfactory completion of a DBS and occupational health check, which must be completed prior to starting the programme.

How many times can I apply?

There is no maximum number of times you can apply to the programme.

What position/length of experience within a forensic setting do I need?

A minimum of 6 months in a forensic or forensic-relevant setting that includes experience beyond purely shadowing/observation of a psychologist’s work.

This work could include experience within a variety of settings, voluntary or paid.  For example, within prisons, mental health services, public, private or third-sector organisations.

You do not have to have held an Assistant Psychologist position.

Are there placements available outside of Devon/the South West?

Yes! We have placements across Devon, the South East of England into Kent, London, the Midlands, Oxford, Birmingham, and Staffordshire. Once we establish which area trainees are based in, we can identify placements in an area suited to you.

We encourage you to apply early to facilitate the process of identifying placements.

Can I make my current role into a placement?

Yes! You could discuss this with your line manager and ask whether they are able to amend your Assistant Psychologist post into a Trainee Forensic Psychologist post.

This would be dependent on your organisation.

Initiate the discussion with them and then put us in touch if we are not already, and we can take the discussions into partnership further.

Do bear in mind that you will need a breadth of experience on placement across the doctorate, which is likely to include working in different settings, and working with different clients, so this may not work for the full programme.

What if my current role is not as an Assistant Psychologist: could this be a placement?

People will arrive at this programme from different circumstances, backgrounds, and employment. We want to support you as best as we can to secure you a place on the programme.

You could be volunteering with an organisation that may wish to take you on as a trainee forensic psychologist, unpaid or sponsored in some way. We can assess each workplace setting as to whether they would meet the criteria to be a placement.

The best first step is to initiate the discussion with your organisation to see what they could offer.

How do I put my organisation in touch with you?

Ask them to email the programme’s admin team at [email protected]

Are placements paid?

Currently, no.

However, we are continually liaising with our placement providers about sponsoring and funding trainees.

You may be able to negotiate support from your employer if you are working in a relevant setting.

How far will I be expected to travel for my placement?

We will try our best to locate your placement as close as possible to where you are based. However, there is an expectation that you travel to your placement, much like with placements on other professional doctorates and clinical training programmes.

Can I study this professional doctorate part-time?

Not yet. We have started discussions about offering a part-time provision in future. Watch this space!

I am an international student...

I am an international student: how do I find out about funding opportunities specific to me?

While we cannot offer advice on funding to all potential trainees, if you are an international student, we can offer a discussion to see what funding is available to you, as each experience is unique. Sometimes your government might be able to provide funding. Sometimes there are different organisations that support international students. Have a look around, talk to your current employer and then get in touch with us: [email protected]

I am an international student: would I be able to complete placements in my country?

You can complete placements in your own country, however, you do need to do this with an approved supervisor, following the course guidance.  We would also need to approve the placement and check that it is appropriate for gaining competencies.

You may wish to register in a different country on completion.  In these circumstances, we would need to discuss this with you individually.

What if I have an MSc (BPS Stage 1 or 2) in Forensic Psychology?

What if I have an MSc (BPS Stage 1) in Forensic Psychology?

We have developed routes into the programme.

If you have a BPS-accredited MSc in Forensic Psychology /BPS Stage 1, you can join our programme and ‘fast-track’ into year 2.

We will not be able to accept trainees in this circumstance into the programme in 2024, as we will only have a year 1 cohort. However, you can apply now for year 2.

Please note, this might impact on your eligibility for the doctoral loan.

Are you offering a route into the doctorate for people who have Stage 1 and Stage 2?

Yes. You can join the programme and skip certain modules, depending on your prior learning.

For trainees who have completed Stage 1 and Stage 2, you will likely need to enrol onto the research modules of the professional doctorate only.

We’ll be uploading a document onto this webpage detailing pathways onto the programme in due course.

But if you have any queries, email us at [email protected]

I am a qualified clinical psychologist: can I become joint qualified by studying this programme?

You can join the programme and skip certain modules, depending on your prior learning.

Meanwhile if you have any queries, email us at [email protected]

How are trainees allocated to their research supervisors?

Like our other professional doctorate programmes here at Exeter, we provide a pack of information about supervisors and potential projects/interests on arrival.

We also hold a research fair where you can find out about the research topics and supervisors available.

You will identify your preferences and we will use this to allocate you a suitable supervisor before the end of the first term.

Allocations will depend on the capacity and popularity of supervisors. We endeavour to give everyone their top 3 options.

Quite a lot of the learning on this programme is online: is there any support in place?

We have spaced out three in-person weeks of teaching throughout the year, one per term, to support building relationships within your cohort. Our experience suggests that these regularly-spaced face-to-face events support the bonding of students online.

We use a range of online approaches including break-out rooms to facilitate relationships.

We hope you will look forward to the block weeks to catch up and arrange any social events.

We work with you to identify trainee reps, and will hold regular Post Graduate Liaison Forums to discuss how learning is working.

Throughout the rest of the year, you will meet with your cohort online for teaching sessions (live, not recorded), which will include seminars and group discussions.  We will hold regular peer reflective practice spaces online throughout the year.

We are keen to develop the best programme possible, so will be regularly asking for trainee feedback as well.

My question has not been answered in these FAQs: who can I talk to?

Please do email the programme’s admin team at [email protected]

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Join our Postgraduate Open Day - Saturday 22 June

Forensic Psychology Practice Doctorate (ForenPsyD)

£12,600 FT (UK students) £23,310 FT (International Students)

More detail

• Visit an Open Day
• Request a prospectus
• Course details
• Entry Requirements
• Teaching and assessment
• Employability

Our Forensic Psychology Practice Doctorate (ForenPsyD) confers the award of Doctorate in Forensic Psychology Practice and provides eligibility for BPS Chartered Psychology status, eligibility to apply for HCPC registration as a Forensic Psychologist, and full membership of the Division of Forensic

It is open only to psychology graduates who are registered with the BPS and who have the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC status). Candidates will also need to have some prior experience of working in a forensic setting. Please see entry requirements for further information. 

Programme aims

The programme aims to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to work as a forensic psychologist; to analyse offending behaviour and its effect on victims; to manage, assess and plan treatment strategies for both victims and offenders; and to work as an expert providing consultancy, professional reports, and training. An evidence-based approach to forensic practice is emphasised, taking into consideration issues of diversity, equality, and inclusion, with the objective of developing skills in practice, research, and evaluation.

The doctorate can be completed on a full-time (3 years) or part-time (4 years) basis, and combines academic teaching, research, and professional training through the completion of forensic practice placements. Trainees will undertake 3 x 120-day practice placements across the course, evidencing work across a range of settings and with different populations.

Full-time option

The full-time option runs over three years. Placements are sourced and arranged by the course staff, who will discuss with the trainee prior experience, placement preferences and learning opportunities, as well as practicalities such as commutability. The course benefits from many long-standing relationships with practitioners in the field, and we have a range of different placements on offer across the country.  

Part-time option

The programme runs part time over four years, to be sponsored (or self-funded) by employers who are willing to supervise employees in the workplace throughout the course. Please note: prior to acceptance on to the programme, University staff must be satisfied that the placement setting also meets the requirements of the course, in terms of providing sufficient breadth of experience. University teaching will be in line with those on the full-time programme, but placement days may extend across the 4 years, and thesis submission at the end of the 4 th rather than 3 rd year.

I discovered that the course was structured in such a way that I felt nurtured and supported into the best practitioner I could be. I received outstanding supervision from both an academic and practitioner viewpoint and the tutors on the ForenPsyD ensured that I was placed on appropriate and meaningful placements that shaped the course of my practice. Dr Kathryn Rowsell, Highly Specialised Forensic Psychologist, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (Graduated 2021)

Why study this course?

The programme, which sits within the  Centre for Applied Psychology , has a long and distinguished history and was the first doctorate in forensic psychology to be established in the UK. The course benefits from having a number of HCPC registered practitioner psychologists on the staff team (who continue to practice), and from the input of many visiting lecturers who are experts in their field. Applying theory to practice is a key focus on the course.

The course boasts an impressive post-training employment record, with most trainees being offered employment by their placement setting in their final year. The course continues to hold a high reputation and Birmingham is regarded as one of the leading Universities in the UK.

Involvement of Experts by Experience

In the Centre for Applied Psychology , we are committed to involving experts by experience in all the different aspects relevant to our teaching and research. The Experts by Experience Steering Committee (EBESC) is a group that meets regularly to discuss, organise and support the work of experts by experience linked to the Forensic Psychology Doctorate Programme. EBESC comprises members from various backgrounds, including local experts by experience who contribute to the course and staff from the Centre for Applied Psychology.

The committee contributes to our different courses in various ways:

• Contributing to teaching, including training workshops
• Reviewing, supporting, designing and contributing to research projects
• Co-ordinating feedback in the course subcommittee
• Involvement in the course admissions process

Both theory and practice are set in the context of the legal and institutional systems through which offenders and victims are managed.

Programme modules include:

• Psychological Theories and the Understanding of Crime
• Working with Offenders
• Psychology, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
• Assessment Issues (Offenders and Victims)
• Forensic Psychotherapy and Forensic Issues
• Psychology and the Court System
• Forensic Practice Placements
• Research Systematic Literature Review
• Case Study Methods
• Research Study Methods
• Professional Writing, Training and Presentation
• Development of Psychometric Measures
• Advanced Research and Evaluation Methods

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees for 2024/25

Please note that fees are per annum.

• Code 291A: UK students:  £12,600 full-time

Years 1 & 2: £12,600 Year 3: £6,300 Year 4: £6,300

• Code 291A:  International students:  £23,310 full-time 

Learn more about fees and funding .

Scholarships and studentships

Scholarships may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government. 

Find out about scholarships for international students.  Please note: Some practice placements offer bursaries.

For further information contact the School directly or get in touch with the Funding, Graduation & Awards via the online enquiries system .

How To Apply

Applications for 2024 entry are now closed.   Interviews will be held on 23-25 April inclusive 2024.

• The interview will involve academic staff, practitioners from relevant services, and experts by experience.   
• Candidates will also sit formal written tests on the day of their interview.

Please note: We do not require a research proposal for your application, although you may wish to briefly specify a research idea if you have one you are particularly keen to pursue. If the application will not progress on the system without supervisor details, please add in Dr Caroline Oliver as supervisor and mention any topic area. Projects are not arranged until trainees have started the course.

Our Standard Requirements

• A good Honours degree (2:1 or above) in Psychology that confers the GBC (Graduate Basis for Chartership) with the BPS (British Psychological Society).
• Relevant forensic experience, ideally as an assistant psychologist. Although we do not stipulate the type or amount of relevant experience, ideally, applicants need to demonstrate that they have been applying psychological principles in a forensic setting, preferably under the supervision of a psychologist.
• Trainees must complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (previously the Criminal Records Bureau check) before attending any placement. This course is exempt from the ‘Rehabilitation of Offenders Act’ and no convictions are considered ‘spent’, which means they must be declared.

NB: Qualifications must be completed and the required experience gained at the point of application.

• A good Honours degree (2:1 or above) in Psychology that confers the GBC (Graduate Basis for Chartership) with the BPS (British Psychological Society) and must be working in a forensic setting.
• Must be working in a relevant forensic setting and be given the title ‘Trainee Forensic Psychologist’ in their place of work. Trainees must also have access to weekly supervision by a qualified forensic psychologist in their workplace. The applicant’s employer must be willing to: allow them to attend University for teaching (every Thursday during term time + periods of block teach); to have time to work on their thesis elements (typically one day a week): as well as opportunities to rotate within the service and work with different client groups, in order to fulfil the requisite breadth of experience.
• Trainees must complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (previously the Criminal Records Bureau check) before attending any placement. This course is exempt from the ‘Rehabilitation of Offenders Act’ and no convictions are considered ‘spent’, which means they must be declared.

International Requirements

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 14/20 from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Argentinian university, with a promedio of at least 7.5, may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent

Applicants who hold a Masters degree will be considered for admission to PhD study.

Holders of a good four-year Diplomstudium/Magister or a Masters degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a good 5-year Specialist Diploma or 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan, with a minimum GPA of 4/5 or 80% will be considered for entry to postgraduate taught programmes at the University of Birmingham.

For postgraduate research programmes applicants should have a good 5-year Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991), with a minimum grade point average of 4/5 or 80%, from a recognised higher education institution or a Masters or “Magistr Diplomu” or “Kandidat Nauk” from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0-3.3/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold a Masters degree from the University of Botswana with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (70%/B/'very good') will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Please note 4-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education. 5-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree.

Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

A Licenciatura or Bacharelado degree from a recognised Brazilian university:

• A grade of 7.5/10 for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement
• A grade of 6.5/10for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement

Holders of a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good post-2001 Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a minimum average of 14 out of 20 (or 70%) on a 4-year Licence, Bachelor degree or Diplôme d'Etudes Superieures de Commerce (DESC) or Diplôme d'Ingénieur or a Maîtrise will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Holders of the Licenciado or equivalent Professional Title from a recognised Chilean university will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD study will preferably hold a Magister degree or equivalent.

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below.  Please note: for the subject areas below we use the Shanghai Ranking 2022 (full table)  ,  Shanghai Ranking 2023 (full table) , and Shanghai Ranking of Chinese Art Universities 2023 .

需要具备学士学位（4年制）的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。 请注意，中国院校名单参考 软科中国大学排名2022（总榜） ，  软科中国大学排名2023（总榜） ，以及 软科中国艺术类高校名单2023 。  

Business School    - MSc programmes (excluding MBA)  

商学院硕士课程（MBA除外）入学要求

School of Computer Science – all MSc programmes 计算机学院硕士课程入学要求

College of Social Sciences – courses listed below 社会科学 学院部分硕士课程入学要求 MA Education  (including all pathways) MSc TESOL Education MSc Public Management MA Global Public Policy MA Social Policy MA Sociology Department of Political Science and International Studies  全部硕士课程 International Development Department  全部硕士课程

  All other programmes (including MBA)   所有其他 硕士课程（包括 MBA）入学要求

Please note:

• Borderline cases: We may consider students with lower average score (within 5%) on a case-by-case basis if you have a relevant degree and very excellent grades in relevant subjects and/or relevant work experience. 如申请人均分低于相应录取要求（5%以内），但具有出色学术背景，优异的专业成绩，以及（或）相关的工作经验，部分课程将有可能单独酌情考虑。
• Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements. 如果您对录取要求有疑问，请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室   [email protected]

Holders of the Licenciado/Professional Title from a recognised Colombian university will be considered for our Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent.

Holders of a good bachelor degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree(from the University of the West Indies or the University of Technology) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A Class II Upper Division degree is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1. For further details on particular institutions please refer to the list below.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Masters degree or Mphil from the University of the West Indies.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, or a GPA of 3 out of 4, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalár from a recognised Czech Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, velmi dobre ‘very good’ (post-2004) or 2, velmi dobre ‘good’ (pre-2004), or a good post-2002 Magistr (Masters), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 7-10 out of 12 (or 8 out of 13) or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters/ Magisterkonfereus/Magister Artium degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Ecuadorian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 70% or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Magister/Masterado or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Licenciado with excellent grades can be considered.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 4/5 or B, or a good one- or two-year Magistrikraad from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with very good grades (grade B, 3.5/4 GPA or 85%) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Holders of a good Kandidaatti / Kandidat (old system), a professional title such as Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti (in Medicine, Dentistry and Vetinary Medicine), or a Maisteri / Magister (new system), Lisensiaatti / Licenciat, Oikeustieteen Kandidaatti / Juris Kandidat (new system) or Proviisori / Provisor from a recognised Finnish Higher Education institution, with a minimum overall grade of 2/3 or 4/5, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters/Maîtrise with a minimum overall grade of 13 out of 20, or a Magistère / Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Specialisées / Mastère Specialis, from a recognised French university or Grande École to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Magister Artium, a Diplom or an Erstes Staatsexamen from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5, or a good two-year Lizentiat / Aufbaustudium / Zweites Staatsexamen or a Masters degree from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good four-year Ptychio (Bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, from a recognised Greek university (AEI), and will usually be required to have completed a good Metaptychiako Diploma Eidikefsis (Masters degree) from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

4-year Licenciado is deemed equivalent to a UK bachelors degree. A score of 75 or higher from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) can be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 60 is comparable to a UK 2.2.  Private universities have a higher pass mark, so 80 or higher should be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 70 is comparable to a UK 2.2

The Hong Kong Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Students with bachelor degrees awarded by universities in Hong Kong may be considered for entry to one of our postgraduate degree programmes.

Students with Masters degrees may be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Alapfokozat / Alapképzés or Egyetemi Oklevel from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 3.5, or a good Mesterfokozat (Masters degree) or Egyetemi Doktor (university doctorate), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the 4 year Sarjana (S1) from a recognised Indonesian institution will be considered for postgraduate study. Entry requirements vary with a minimum requirement of a GPA of 2.8.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution, with 100 out of 110 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold the Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Students with a Bachelor degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for entry to a postgraduate Masters degree provided they achieve a sufficiently high overall score in their first (Bachelor) degree. A GPA of 3.0/4.0 or a B average from a good Japanese university is usually considered equivalent to a UK 2:1.

Students with a Masters degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for PhD study. A high overall grade will be necessary to be considered.

Students who have completed their Specialist Diploma Мамаң дипломы/Диплом специалиста) or "Magistr" (Магистр дипломы/Диплом магистра) degree (completed after 1991) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate Masters degrees and, occasionally, directly for PhD degrees.  Holders of a Bachelor "Bakalavr" degree (Бакалавр дипломы/Диплом бакалавра) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of  2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, may also be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/50

Holders of a good Postgraduate Diploma (professional programme) from a recognised university or institution of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10, or a post-2000 Magistrs, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 16/20 or 80% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Libya will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency. Alternatively students will require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or BB to be considered.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magistras from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, or a good post-2001 Magistras, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, or a Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées (comparable to a UK PGDip) or Masters degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (70-74% or A or Marginal Distinction from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 60-69% or B or Bare Distinction/Credit is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from the University of Malta with a minimum grade of 2:1 (Hons), and/or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (Honours) from a recognised institution (including the University of Mauritius) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2:1).

Students who hold the Licenciado/Professional Titulo from a recognised Mexican university with a promedio of at least 8 will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who have completed a Maestria from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree, licence or Maîtrise and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students with a good four year honours degree from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. PhD applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Doctoraal from a recognised Dutch university with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10, and/or a good Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of B/Very Good or 1.6-2.5 for a 2.1 equivalency, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters, Mastergrad, Magister. Artium, Sivilingeniør, Candidatus realium or Candidatus philologiae degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0/4 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in the Palestinian Territories will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3/4 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency or a GPA of 2.5/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.    

Holders of the Título de Licenciado /Título de (4-6 years) or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Paraguayan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 4/5 or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  The Título Intermedio is a 2-3 year degree and is equivalent to a HNC, it is not suitable for postgraduate entry but holders of this award could be considered for second year undergraduate entry or pre-Masters.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría / Magister or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Título/Grado de Licenciado/a with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of the Licenciado, with at least 13/20 may be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent. The Grado de Bachiller is equivalent to an ordinary degree, so grades of 15+/20 are required.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría or equivalent qualification.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4 out of 5, dobry ‘good’, and/or a good Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Studiów Podyplomowych (Certificate of Postgraduate Study) or post-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4.5/4+ out of 5, dobry plus 'better than good', will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Licenciado from a recognised university, or a Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) from a recognised Polytechnic Institution, with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, and/or a good Mestrado / Mestre (Masters) from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Romanian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree/Diploma de Master/Diploma de Studii Academice Postuniversitare (Postgraduate Diploma - Academic Studies) or Diploma de Studii Postuniversitare de Specializare (Postgraduate Diploma - Specialised Studies) to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) or Диплом Магистра (Magistr) degree from recognised universities in Russia (minimum GPA of 4.0) will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes/PhD study.

Students who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree with at least 16/20 or 70% will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. A score of 14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

Students who hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (or a score of 60-69% or B+) from a well ranked institution will be considered for most our Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees with a 2:1 requirement.

Students holding a good Bachelors Honours degree will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good three-year Bakalár or pre-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, Vel’mi dobrý ‘very good’, and/or a good Inžinier or a post-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (Bachelors degree), Diplomant (Professionally oriented first degree), Univerzitetni diplomant (Academically oriented first degree) or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) from a recognised Slovenian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8.0 out of 10, and/or a good Diploma specializacija (Postgraduate Diploma) or Magister (Masters) will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor Honours degree (also known as Baccalaureus Honores / Baccalaureus Cum Honoribus) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (70%) or a distinction (75%).

Holders of a Masters degree will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelor degree from a recognised South Korean institution (usually with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.5) will be considered for Masters programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 7 out of 10 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or a CGPA 3.30/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd), and/or a good Magisterexamen (Masters degree), International Masters degree or Licentiatexamen (comparable to a UK Mphil), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good "PostGraduate Certificate" or "PostGraduate Diploma" or a Masters degree from a recognised Swiss higher education institution (with a minimum GPA of 5/6 or 8/10 or 2/5 (gut-bien-bene/good) for a 2.1 equivalence) may be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bachelor degree (from 75% to 85% depending upon the university in Taiwan) from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate Masters study. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for entry to our postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree or Mphil from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a Bachelors degree from the following universities may be considered for entry to postgraduate programmes:

• Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
• De La Salle University - Manila
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the Philippines - Diliman

Students from all other institutions with a Bachelors and a Masters degree or relevant work experience may be considered for postgraduate programmes.

Grading Schemes

1-5 where 1 is the highest 2.1 = 1.75 2.2 = 2.25 

Out of 4.0 where 4 is the highest 2.1 = 3.0 2.2 = 2.5

Letter grades and percentages 2.1 = B / 3.00 / 83% 2.2 = C+ / 2.5 / 77%

Holders of a postdoctoral qualification from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.  Students may be considered for PhD study if they have a Masters from one of the above listed universities.

Holders of a Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a Yuksek Diplomasi from a recognised university will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (2.1) or GPA of 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree / Диплом бакалавра (Dyplom Bakalavra), Диплом спеціаліста (Specialist Diploma) or a Dyplom Magistra from a recognised Ukrainian higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0, 3.5/4, 8/12 or 80% or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

• 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
• 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

Holders of the Magistr Diplomi (Master's degree) or Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), awarded by prestigious universities, who have attained high grades in their studies will be considered for postgraduate study.  Holders of the Fanlari Nomzodi (Candidate of Science), where appropriate, will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of the Licenciatura/Título or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Venezuelan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Scales of 1-5, 1-10 and 1-20 are used, an overall score of 70% or equivalent can be considered equivalent to a UK 2.1.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Maestria or equivalent qualification

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Vietnamese institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum GPA of 7.0 and above) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.  Holders of a Masters degree (thac si) will be considered for entry to PhD programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or a mark of 2.0/2.5 (A) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a good Bachelor Honours degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Selection Procedure

Our selection process is as follows:

• Applications are made via the University Admissions Portal. Apply now
• Applicants who meet our minimum criteria are short-listed according to information presented on the application form. This includes elements such as academic/research competence and relevant experience. Approximately 30 short-listed candidates are invited to attend the University of Birmingham for half a day (morning or afternoon), which includes a half-hour interview, and written exercises designed to assess competence in research and writing. Experts by experience and course staff are involved in the interview process. After the final interview date, offers are made to the most suitable candidates subject to satisfactory DBS disclosure and Health and Immunisation checks.  Please note : the offer process at the University of Birmingham has several steps, and the final formal offer will be made by the University of Birmingham Admissions Team. Approximately 10 candidates are ultimately accepted on to the course.

Equal opportunities

We are very conscious of being situated in an area of rich ethnic and cultural diversity, and the course particularly welcomes applications from people from ethnic minority groups.  We take measures to ensure that no applicant is discriminated against on the grounds of age, social class, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or religion. 

We are actively addressing issues of race and diversity in the curriculum and in all aspects of the course. We do not currently use equal opportunities data during the selection process,  however, we are actively considering how best to include contextual admissions values in our selection procedures, and although we don’t yet have a formal position on this, we will update this webpage with any developments.

Please note that if you have given your consent, we may use equal opportunities data collected by the University during selection to inform future selection strategies.

International Students

English language requirements You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways: by holding an English language qualification to the right level by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students

Candidates must comply with the Health and Care Professions Council requirements of English language proficiency (Standard equivalent to IELTS level 7.0 with no element below 6.5).

The programme is examined by continuous assessment, with students completing a series of academic and practice-based assignments over the three (or four) years.

In addition to lectures, seminars, and small group discussions, you will undertake a doctoral level research project, which has real-world relevance, and is usually linked to current research within the University, but may also be linked to other psychology departments or organisations. In addition to your time at the University, you are expected to spend three days a week in a forensic practice placement (or employed in a forensic setting) and one day a week on research for 40 weeks each year. You will have the chance to work with different offender groups (e.g. adults, young people, those with intellectual disabilities) both in community and institutional environments. 

The syllabus includes training in:

• Quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Computer use for academic purposes
• The history and philosophy of psychological science and the critical review of current research methods in psychology
• Presenting information in written, oral, poster and web-based formats
• The professional skills needed for research (such as applying for ethical approval for research projects, exploiting research findings and applying for research funds)

Assessment Methods

This programme is examined by continuous assessment, with you completing a series of assignments, and passing practice placements. On completion of your doctorate research in your final year, you will receive a viva voce examination.

Successful applicants are registered on the Masters component for the first two years of the course.  Progression to the doctorate component is dependent on successful completion of course assignments (minimum standards are set) and forensic placements.  If this is not achieved, trainees may leave with a Masters in Forensic Psychology Practice, that does not confer eligibility to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council but does meet Stage 1 of BPS requirements and can apply for a reduction in stage 2 requirements.

This programme is subject to the Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise regulations, which you are required to sign at the start of the course.

The programme aims to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to work as a forensic psychologist; to analyse offending behaviour and its effects on victims; to manage, assess and plan treatment strategies for both victims and offenders; and to work as an expert providing professional reports and training. At the end of the course you will be eligible to apply for chartered status with the BPS and to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Forensic Psychologist. You will also hold the title of ‘Doctor’.

The course will equip you to work for employers such as the NHS, HMPPS, third sector, and private organisations, as a Registered Forensic Psychologist.

• How to apply
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Forensic and Criminological Psychology MSc

• Full-time: 12 months
• Part-time: 24 months
• Start date: September 2024
• UK fees: £11,850 full-time £7,110 part-time
• International fees: £26,250 full-time £15,750 part-time
• Entry requirements: 2:1 in psychology (or international equivalent)

Course overview

The MSc aims to advance students’ knowledge and skills acquired at undergraduate level, providing an in-depth knowledge of the discipline of forensic psychology. It covers academic research and theory and applied practice within the Criminal Justice and Forensic Mental Health Systems.

The course receives unique input from currently practising forensic psychologists and other applied professionals, enabling students to develop a critical awareness of current issues, standards and developments in the field.

The course is offered by the Centre for Forensic and Family Psychology (CFFP) under the Academic Unit of Mental Health and Neurosciences, School of Medicine. The MSc programme adheres to a taught degree structure, and as such, students are registered as a Postgraduate Taught Student (PGT); applying the policies, procedures, and regulations for Postgraduate Taught Programmes at the University of Nottingham.

You can choose to complete this programme in one year through full-time study or two years through part-time study.

Professional organisations

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and fulfils stage 1 of the BPS professional training in forensic psychology. The BPS is the learned and professional body, incorporated by Royal Charter, for psychology in the United Kingdom. The key objective of the Society is ‘to promote the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of psychology pure and applied and especially to promote the efficiency and usefulness of members by setting up a high standard of professional education and knowledge’.

A proportion of students who complete Stage 1, may later go on to complete Stage 2 training. Stage 2 training forms the basis for registration as a Forensic Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), and is offered through other courses at the Centre for Forensic and Family Psychology . For this reason, the MSc closely draws upon relevant frameworks and standards from both the BPS and HCPC.

Please note: applications for this course do not open until 1 December 2023.

Why choose this course, bps accredited.

Complete stage 1 of the professional accreditation route to becoming a qualified forensic psychologist

Evidence-based

Ethics, professional practice and research are all emphasised to provide a firm grounding for further professional training and practice 

Established course

We have been training future forensic psychologists at the University of Nottingham since 2010

Experts in the field

Learn from registered practitioners and published researchers at a world-renowned University

Course content

MSc students will attend the University during which they study five core forensic psychology modules, attend research methods and statistics training, and complete a research project/dissertation. Part-time students will access the same modules and content, and are expected to attend the University for required teaching, dispersed across two years. The teaching week at the University for full time students runs from October to April and is as follows:

• Monday personal tutorials (on request) with module convenors or research supervisors/personal tutors
• Tuesday teaching day (workshop 10.30 am to 4.30pm)
• Wednesday teaching day (workshop 9am/10am to 4pm)
• Thursday teaching day (workshop 10.30 am to 4.30pm)
• Friday self-directed study

From May to September, students complete their research project and outstanding coursework from home, and are required at the University only for research supervision/personal tutorials. Forensic work experience, should you wish to obtain any, can be organised on a Monday or Friday with permission.

The module intends to build upon knowledge and skills gained at undergraduate level and provide a foundation of the current knowledge, theory and evidence base relevant to forensic psychology.

The module aims to develop students’ knowledge of major psychological and criminological theories of crime, criminality and victimisation.

Students will have the knowledge to enable them to progress to working with individuals across the lifespan (including children and young people in conflict with the law).

This module aims to provide students with knowledge about the range of mental health conditions experienced by victims and offenders, including neurodevelopmental conditions and co-morbid conditions such as autism, alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety disorders. The module will develop students’ knowledge and critical understanding about approaches to assessment and formulation. 

This module aims to develop students’ critical understanding of psychological theories relating to justice systems, including police investigations and criminal and civil courts. It also aims to develop students’ knowledge of practice in the legal system. 

This module aims to provide students with comprehensive understanding of forensic settings as systems, and the issues involved in working in complex environments. The module will develop students’ thinking about issues affecting service-users and client groups with a systems perspective. Students will also understand the principles and procedures that forensic psychologists use when evaluating the practice of organisations and conducting consultancy.

The module aims to provide students with working knowledge of the content and delivery of therapeutic programmes and approaches driven by information gathered by assessment and formulation. Students will demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of a range of interventions available for offenders, patients and at risk individuals, victims/survivors, professionals, groups and organisations.

This module considers a range of qualitative approaches suitable for psychologists. Students will be introduced to the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings and practical application of a number of qualitative research methods.

This course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to effectively plan and design research as well as to critically appraise published research.

Students will be introduced to:

• how to write a literature review in a systematic way
• how to write a research proposal
• study designs (including developing research questions)
• ethics and practical issues when planning and conducting research.

The course will also cover:

• designing questionnaires
• psychometric issues such as reliability and validity
• using interviews and focus groups
• use of the internet and an introduction to online research methods

This module aims to further develop the students understanding of research methods in a forensic psychology context, exploring more complex study designs and statistical methods.

Analytical methods will be explored in depth with consideration of both quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods designs. 

This module will provide students with the opportunity to engage in, and learn from, supervised project work in forensic psychology. The emphasis is on applied research and associated methods in a forensic context.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn.

Through lectures, seminars and workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to develop theoretical and clinical skills. These skills will enhance your future employability and career progression. We focus on supporting you in becoming a scientist-practitioner in forensic settings.

How you will be assessed

Each of the above modules assess students’ progress through diverse pieces of coursework measuring comprehension through both written and verbal communication.

For the Forensic Psychology Research Dissertation, each student will submit an original, empirical research study on a topic pertaining to forensic psychology, towards the end of the academic year.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

• Home / UK students
• EU / International students

Alternative qualifications

You'll also need:

• two academic references from your most recent academic experience
• academic transcript(s)
• personal statement
• abstract of your most recent research project

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

Applications for this course do not open until 1 December 2023.

You do not need to write a research proposal or select a supervisor as part of your application however you must include a personal statement of no more than one side of A4 paper.

Application deadline is 30 June, applications received after this date will not be considered until the following academic year.

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

Where you will learn

Jubilee campus.

Jubilee Campus has eco-friendly buildings, alongside green spaces, wildlife and a lake. 

This campus is home to our business, education and computer science schools, as well as a sports centre and student accommodation.

You can walk to  University Park Campus  in around 20 minutes or catch a free hopper bus. Nottingham city centre is 20 minutes away by public bus.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice .

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, such as printing, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or access more specific titles.

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

• Careers advice
• Job prospects
• Accreditation

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students .

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Career progression

78.9% of postgraduate taught students from the School of Psychology secured graduate level employment or further graduate study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £23,016.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

British Psychological Society

This course is accredited by the  British Psychological Society (BPS). This provides the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, which is required for entry to many postgraduate professional psychology programmes. 

Related courses

Forensic psychology top-up dforenpsy, forensic psychology dforenpsy.

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national grading system, introduced by the government in England. It assesses the quality of undergraduate teaching at universities and how well they ensure excellent outcomes for their students in terms of graduate-level employment or further study.

This content was last updated on Tuesday 24 October 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

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Investigating forensic psychology

This module follows several criminal cases to explore forensic psychology and its application to understanding, preventing, and detecting crime. Topics include investigative decision making, witness memory, profiling, lie detection, terrorism, violent crime, sexual offences and cybercrime. You'll explore how psychological research is conducted and applied, critically evaluate its contribution to practice, and learn to communicate this to lay audiences. This module suits students who work in related areas, want to extend their knowledge in forensic psychology, and are not pursuing BPS accreditation in forensic psychology. While advantageous, you do not have to have a psychology degree to study this module.

Vocational relevance

The module is relevant for students who want to pursue careers using forensic psychological knowledge but do not require BPS-accredited status in Forensic Psychology. The module is relevant for all those working in related sectors who feel that knowing more about forensic psychological topics will complement their existing skills and knowledge, and broaden their professional perspective. This includes those working in the criminal justice system, police, probation, prisons, legal professions, third-sector organisations, government departments, education or social work.

Qualifications

DD802 is a compulsory module in our:

• MSc in Forensic Psychological Studies (F73)
• Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
• One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
• You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
• For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.

Find out more about entry requirements .

What you will study

You'll explore forensic psychological topics by examining a variety of real criminal cases. This includes studying cases like that of the Yorkshire Ripper (to learn about investigative decision making), Raoul Moat (to learn about crisis negotiation), and the September 11th bombings (to learn about terrorism). Through such cases, you'll see how psychology can contribute to a better understanding of crime, offenders and criminal investigations.

The research you engage with will be drawn from a variety of cutting-edge areas, including cybercrime and terrorism, as well as some of the classic research topics that present challenges for forensic psychology. Some of the topics covered include:

• witness memory: how easy is it to recognise the face of someone we may have only seen briefly or during a stressful situation?; is it possible to remember things (vividly) that have never happened? (false memories); can the way witnesses are interviewed change what they remember?
• lie detection: can we detect if people are lying to us?
• decision making: what can psychology tell us about the way police make their investigative decisions? And what can it tell us about how jurors or judges make decisions in court?
• profiling: can psychology help police by systematically understanding a potential offender’s motives, personality or a crime scene?
• sexual offences: what motivates offenders, how can they be detected and what are the implications for victims?
• mental illness and crime: how far is mental illness related to criminal behaviour?
• cybercrime: how does psychology contribute to better understanding and preventing cybercrime, including cyber-bullying and cyberstalking.

The module helps you to understand how psychological research is conducted and how to read, evaluate and apply psychological research. You'll learn how to search for, utilise and communicate existing research within this area. Crucially you will learn how to select and evaluate research that answers specific real-world questions/issues and how to explain what such research tells us about such questions/issues to different professional and lay audiences. In this context, you will have the opportunity to apply what you have learned to real-world issues and fictitious crime cases (e.g. communicating research findings relating to a case or issue to a judge, documentary makers, policymakers, or members of the public).

Finally, you will specialise in an area of your choice and pursue your own independent dissertation project (based on literature research) on your chosen issue/topic. Your work on this dissertation project will be supported and supervised by your tutor. In addition, the learning materials are designed to prepare you for your dissertation project by teaching you the skills needed to carry out this project. The project will take the form of an extensive literature review and discussion. As part of this project, you will be asked to link your findings to a real-world/practice problem/issue and inform a lay or professional audience about your findings. You will not carry out your own primary data collection or research.

You will learn

By studying this module, you will learn how to:

• read, critically evaluate and apply research in forensic psychology
• conduct a systematic literature search
• write a literature review
• select journal articles/research relevant to applied questions
• write reports for different audiences (e.g. legal professionals, charities, documentary makers)
• effectively present information to different audiences (e.g. other academics, practitioners, or policymakers)

You'll also learn about:

• the relevance of academic research in forensic psychology for real-world issues/cases
• key concepts, debates and research in forensic psychology.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor.

You will be allocated a tutor who has relevant knowledge of forensic psychology, and they will support you from the very start through to completing your dissertation project. Teaching is all online and will be delivered via online tutorials, forum interactions and, where needed, email contact.

Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

Professional recognition

This module, as part of the MSc in Forensic Psychological Studies (F73), is not suitable for psychology graduates who specifically want to achieve the British Psychological Society recognised status as a chartered Forensic Psychologist. Students wishing to do this are advised to seek an accredited MSc programme.

Course work includes

Future availability.

Investigating forensic psychology  starts once a year – in October. This page describes the module that will start in October 2024. We expect it to start for the last time in October 2027.

Regulations

Entry requirements.

This module cannot be studied on a stand-alone basis. To register, you will need to have successfully completed Principles of social and psychological inquiry (DD801)  and satisfied the entry requirements for the MSc in Forensic Psychological Studies.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser .

Additional costs

Study costs.

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

Ways to pay for this module

We know there’s a lot to think about when choosing to study, not least how much it’s going to cost and how you can pay.

That’s why we keep our fees as low as possible and offer a range of flexible payment and funding options, including a postgraduate loan, if you study this module as part of an eligible qualification. To find out more, see Fees and funding .

Study materials

What's included.

The module is delivered entirely online. Comprehensive guidance and support is available via a module website which includes:

• a week-by-week online study planner
• course-specific module materials
• audio and video content
• online tutorial access to tutor group forums and tutor-led learning events
• access to OU library services.

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

If you have a disability

Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader (and where applicable: musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way). Other alternative formats of the module materials may be available in the future. Where independent literature searches are conducted, the module team cannot guarantee that all materials found via the library are screen reader compatible. However, there will always be sufficient alternatives to ensure students can complete compulsory assignments.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages .

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Request prospectus    

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© . . .

• Doctor of Psychology in Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology Doctor of Psychology

• Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate research
• Start Date(s): October 2024
• Duration: Two and a half years part-time
• Study Mode(s): Part-time
• Campus: City Campus
• Entry Requirements: More information

Introduction:

The Doctor of Psychology in Forensic Psychology (DPsych in Forensic Psychology) is a research-based professional doctoral course for practicing forensic psychologists and aims to develop reflective researching practitioners.

This DPsych in Forensic Psychology is a two and a half year part-time research-based programme which allows experienced practicing forensic psychologists the opportunity to further develop their knowledge, understanding, skills, qualities and attributes in a specialist area of forensic psychology. Throughout the course you will be encouraged to engage in a process of continuous reflection on yourself, your practice and your research, which will ensure that you develop as a reflective researching practitioner.

What you’ll study

The DPsych in Forensic Psychology will provide you with an opportunity to explore the complex relationships between knowledge, theory and practice in forensic psychology and to explore the complex relationship between understanding the sector and changing it.

You'll develop as a reflective researching practitioner in the field of forensic psychology through the synthesis of practice with research and you'll develop your ability to design and implement independent and original research at the boundaries of knowledge of forensic psychology.

The course will enable you to undertake critical investigation and evaluation of a forensic psychology topic in order to develop the intellectual and personal adaptability to be able to inform organisational and societal change.

You'll develop a range of skills including your judgement, foresight and problem analysis by applying theoretical and philosophically tuned skills to the research material. You'll also develop your communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with the academics and practitioners from the academia and the communities in which people live, and to act as interpreters between the two.

This course comprises of two modules designed to allow you to specialise in an area of forensic psychology that interests you. The course also incorporates individual learning plans which are reviewed regularly and include your written reflections on development.

The DPsych in Forensic Psychology consists of 540 credits with 180 level 7 credits awarded as Accredited Prior Learning (APL), at admission, for completion of an MSc in Forensic Psychology (or equivalent). A further 60 level 8 APL credits can be awarded on evidence of Doctoral level research competence which will exempt you from Module One.

To obtain a DPsych in Forensic Psychology you will need to successfully complete the full 540 credits. You may be awarded an MProf in Forensic Psychology at any point from the end of Year Two of the course. If you wish to withdraw before completion of the DPsych, if meeting the criteria for the MProf award, you may submit for examination for this award.

Module One: Foundations in Research (60 credits)

This module aims to develop research competence suitable to undertake the DPsych thesis portfolio. The aims of the module are to allow you to:

• research a topic or issue in forensic psychology at Doctorate level
• understand how the process of research and analysis can be utilised to structure developments in forensic psychology professional practice
• conceptualise, design and implement appropriate research methodologies and adjust the project design in light of unforeseen problems and contradictions
• nurture professional development as a reflective researching practitioner in the field of forensic psychology
• exercise personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in undertaking research in complex and unpredictable situations in professional environments.

Module Two: Thesis Portfolio (300 credits)

The aim of this module is to develop doctoral level researching practitioners in the field of forensic psychology. The aims of the module are to:

• allow you an opportunity to explore the complex relationships between knowledge, theory and practice in forensic psychology and to explore the complex relationship between understanding the sector and changing it
• enable you to develop as reflective researching practitioners in the field of forensic psychology through the synthesis of practice with research
• develop your ability to design and implement independent and original research at the boundaries of knowledge of forensic psychology
• get an opportunity to develop your judgement, foresight and problem analysis by applying theoretical and philosophically tuned skills to the research material
• enable you to undertake critical investigation and evaluation of a forensic psychology topic in order to develop your intellectual and personal adaptability to be able to inform organisational and societal change.

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