MSc Forensic Psychology
2-3 years
Part Time
Tuition: GBP 9,720
Paid Monthly: Pay in Instalment
Intakes: Sept 2026
Deadline: 30 June 2026
Course overview
The Online MSc in Forensic Psychology course examines the psychological theories pertinent to the comprehension of criminal aspects through the lens of a variety of patient groups within the scope of forensic psychology practice. This Masters in Psychology course from the University of Derby is BPS accredited, and is structured to impart students with the skills and competencies necessary to identify, understand, select, and evaluate the efficacy of interventions available for a range of clinical subjects.
Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), this online MSc Forensic Psychology course is a Stage 1 qualification for people who aspire to work as forensic therapists in the UK.
Gain the information and abilities required to advance toward employment in a variety of forensic psychology-related situations and settings, including correctional facilities, community settings, courts, and social enterprises.
Aspiring therapists can move on to obtaining a stage 2 certificate after completing this online psychology degree, which is the last step toward becoming a licensed forensic therapist.
The teaching team for the Online MSc in Forensic Psychology course consists of forensic academics and practitioners with extensive work experience with victims and offenders in a broad range of forensic contexts, and who will bring a wealth of expertise and specialist knowledge to enrich the student’s learning journey.
MSc Forensic Psychology
MSc Forensic Psychology
Accreditation
This online MSc Forensic Psychology course is accredited by the BPS meaning the course counts as a Stage 1 qualification for those who already hold Graduate Basis of Chartership (GBC) with the BPS.
Qualifying as a forensic psychologist:
Gaining a BPS accredited MSc is the second step (Stage 1) towards becoming a registered forensic therapist. The final step is to complete stage 2 of the applied training which is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
The British Psychological Society was established over a 120 years ago and champions the field of Psychology, Psychologists and the wider professions in the field. With over 65,000 members, the organisation is committed to aiding the field in having a positive impact on both Psychologists, as well as the community and its individuals.
Assessment
The Online MSc Forensic Psychology course is taught by our team of specialist academics, who bring a wealth of expertise and niche knowledge to enhance the forensic therapists’ learning journey.
Students will be taught through
- Weekly live sessions
- Pre-recorded videos
- Dynamic Microsoft Teams spaces to discuss key topics
- Guest lectures delivered by industry specialists
- Independent online study and research
Each module in the Online MSc Forensic Psychology course is taught through a rich variety of activities with timely and focused feedback.
The Online Masters Forensic Psychology course is assessed through 100% coursework, completed individually, through a range of methods such as essays, intervention reports, and research project reports. This structure is designed to ensure students meet the learning outcomes while also supporting the development of their professional and employability skills.
Benefits
This Online Psychology course is delivered entirely online, allowing study from anywhere in the world.
Student support and guidance on the Online MSc Forensic Psychology degree:
Whilst forensic therapists are encouraged to become life-long, independent learners, additional support and guidance is provided to help achieve these goals. achieve your goals, including a dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor. In addition, students have access to the University of Derby:
- Library
- Health and Wellbeing Centre
- Careers and Employability Service
- IT Support
- Union of Students
- Develop@Derby for study, personal and employability skills
Career path
Forensic therapists can move on to completing the final stage of their training to become a registered forensic psychologist by completing an HCPC approved stage 2 qualification.
The National Health Service (NHS) and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) are the two biggest employers of certified forensic psychologists in the United Kingdom. Forensic psychologists can however, also find employment in social services, the police, private secure hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, municipal and federal government, and academia.
If graduates decide not to pursue a career as forensic therapists, this MSc can also take them into other roles, such as:
- Offender manager (prison or probation)
- Roles with youth justice boards and youth offending teams
- Offending behaviour programme facilitator
- Social researcher in central or local government
- Policymaker within the criminal justice system
- Criminal intelligence analyst
- Behavioural support mentor in a school
- Mental health recovery worker
- Therapy coordinator
- Mental health advisor at a university
Career Progression
- Social Work or Counselling and Psychotherapy
- PhD in Forensic Psychology
Eligibility
Applicants are required to have a British Psychological Society (BPS) recognised undergraduate degree (minimum 2.1) in Psychology (or equivalent) that confers Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the Society. Eligible applicants will be asked to submit a draft research proposal as well as undergo an interview prior to admission onto the course.
You can also apply for this course if your Psychology degree (minimum 2:1) is not accredited by the BPS (does not confer GBC). Please note, however, for this MSc Forensic Psychology to be used as a Stage 1 qualification in Forensic Psychology prior to continuing onto Stage 2 and applying for registration with the HCPC, GBC is a requirement; applicants would need to complete a BPS accredited conversion course in Psychology.
Alternatively, if you hold a BPS accredited undergraduate degree in Psychology (2.2), the final selection for applicants holding a 2.2 undergraduate degree is based on an interview process.
Core Modules
Formulation is the process or product of gathering and integrating diverse information to develop a concise account of the nature and etiology of the problems related to offending behaviours to guide idiographic treatment design and other decision-making.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Report upon the differing characteristics of a range of offender client groups including the relevance of the psychological paradigms, life span, and individual differences in relation to offending behaviours
- Report upon the differing characteristics of a range of victim client groups: Including the relevance of the psychological paradigms and individual differences in relation to victimology
- Compare and critically analyse the theories and empirical research regarding the differing needs of a range of offender client groups and a range of victim / survivor groups
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Report upon the issues relating to the organisational culture and systems unique to a number of forensic settings
- Review a range of interventions (both HMPPS accredited and non-accredited)
- describe the different approaches
- apply underpinning theories and current research to identify their strengths and weaknesses to conclude the effectiveness of those interventions
- recognise the various approaches that inform the selection of appropriate interventions in different settings and with different client groups
- Reflect upon your own contribution to group work.
The module is also intended to support students’ own professional development, and a series of reflective activities are designed to enable students to reflect on, and plan for, their own professional development as applied psychologists.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of applied psychology training and practice in the UK
- Understand the principles of critical self-reflection
- Critically reflect on personal and professional development in the context of applied psychology
Module content
This module will cover topic areas such as:
- UK and international perspectives and training models
- Scientist-practitioner perspective
- Applied psychology competencies
- Professional competence and regulation
- Multi/inter-disciplinary working and leadership
- Communication skills
- Motivational interviewing
- Facilitating behaviour change
- Professional development planning
- Reflective practice
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an ability to identify, review, analyse and evaluate relevant empirical evidence to identify pertinent areas for psychological research, and articulate appropriate research question or hypothesis
- Design a piece of health psychology research and demonstrate awareness of and competence in applying all relevant ethical guidelines and principles
- Conduct a feasible and ethical empirical study to address pertinent research question(s) and analyse and interpret the findings of the study to form coherent conclusions about the research question(s)
- Present research in a way that is consistent with the standards of presentation and clarity expected of a professional research report within the field of psychology
Course fee
Global:
- Course Fee: GBP 9,450
+VAT if applicable
Fees are determined by where applicants are currently working and residing
GBP is Great British Pounds
Academics
Refaat Kazoun
Philippe Riewer
Ajith Kumar
What our student say
Khaled Abdullah Ahmed Nusair
University of Leicester
MBA
It was an exciting, interesting journey within the University modules, staff, tutors and program. The staff at Stafford are very supportive, cooperative and professional, I am really thankful to all of them.
