MSc Applied Forensic Psychology

Buckinghamshire New University

Course Overview

Are you interested in becoming a Chartered Forensic Psychologist? Are you passionate about pursuing a career focused on rehabilitating criminals and delivering interventions to reform criminal behaviour?

Our MSc Forensic Psychology programme will not only give you the knowledge and skills you need but will also turn you into an innovative and creative leader and practitioner. Throughout your time on this course you’ll experience hands-on learning, working with offenders on treatment and rehabilitation programmes, and have the opportunity to be involved in psychological interventions.

What facilities can I use?

You’ll have the opportunity to use our state-of-the-art observation laboratory to engage in the measurement of psycho-physiological responses using Biopac. You’ll be able to measure the activity of the cardiovascular system, brain, autonomic nervous system and more.

You’ll also have access to Tobii eye tracking equipment and HTC Vive, a virtual reality software, meaning you can push the boundaries and get creative with your research ideas!

You’ll use these facilities regularly while role-playing forensic scenarios and assessing different interventions.

Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments – you’ll have access to hundreds of specialist books, articles and online journals. Not to mention there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study time.

Because this course has a blended-learning format, we’ll also sign you up to our Virtual Learning Environment which means you’ll have access to lots of online resources wherever you are in the world!

What will I study?

In the weeks you attend in-person workshops, you’ll be based in a forensic setting for two days each week. We have strong links with a number of different institutions such as HMP Bullingdon, HMP Wormwood Scrubs, HMP Woodhill, HMP Grendon and HMYOI Aylesbury meaning

You’ll hear from qualified forensic psychologists, prison officers, senior managers and you’ll even get a chance to interact directly with prisoner’s, so you’ll get a real taste of what it’s like to work on the ‘front-line’.

The level of industry insight and contact will be invaluable in securing work and developing your confidence as a practitioner.

How will I be taught and assessed?

Across the course of the programme, you’ll learn about police psychology, the legal and criminal justice system, vulnerable groups in forensic settings and the journey of change through a forensic lens.

You’ll learn to measure intervention effectiveness and facilitate interventions using mock scenarios and role plays, as well as working directly with prisoners.

You’ll also work closely with your personal tutor to dive into a subject of particular interest to you through your final dissertation project.

We use a mixture of assessment methods to mirror modes of communication expected of graduates in this field. For example, you’ll complete risk assessments, professional case reports and deliver presentations to an expert audience.

What are my career prospects?

By the end of this course, you’ll be well equipped to work in a variety of forensic psychology environments whether that’s in prisons, the probation service or victim work.

You could also specialise in delivering interventions in prisons and other rehabilitation settings.