Forensic Psychology MSc
1 Year Full Time | September Start
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Forensic Psychology MSc
Overview
The MSc Forensic Psychology course offers an in-depth exploration of the field, blending theoretical foundations with practical application in a criminal justice context. This course is available as both full time and part time pathways.
You can gain insight from experienced practitioners and researchers, with a focus on psychological aspects of offending behaviour and how the legal system functions. Innovative assessments and reflective practice, enable you to develop critical employability skills.
Throughout the course you will explore the psychological underpinnings of criminal behaviour with topics including why people commit crime, how people in prison are assessed by psychologists, treatment and interventions for people who commit crime, contemporary issues and challenges within the Criminal Justice System, police investigation and working with vulnerable victims and witnesses in court.
This course will appeal to those aspiring to work in forensic psychology in settings such as prisons and secure hospitals, as well as those interested in working in related disciplines such as the Probation Service, the police and in mental health.
See other similar courses you may be interested in: Psychology MSc
Entry Requirements 2026/27
Standard Entry
Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in Psychology (or MSc equivalent).
International qualifications:
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
Additional Information:
Applicants who have completed their degree within the UK are required to provide written proof of GBC/GBR status from their UK University. All applicants who have completed their first degree outside the UK are required to apply to the BPS for consideration of GBC/GBR. Written confirmation of GBC/GBR will be required. Please bear in mind that this process can take a considerable amount of time and relevant applicants should contact the BPS as soon as possible.
English language requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
Fees and Funding 2026/27 Entry
Full UK Fee: £11,250
Tuition fees in the academic year 2027/28* will be £10,050. Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap. *if your course is longer than one year
Full International Fee: £21,500
This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.
Scholarships and Discounts
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
Throughout this course, you will be introduced to relevant psychological theory, such as theories of criminal behaviour. You will also learn about the key skills and competencies required for working as a practitioner forensic psychologist, including forensic assessment, engaging in reflective practice and consultancy projects. Additionally, you will learn about the legal and investigative process, including what happens within the court room. You will have the opportunity to consider contemporary issues and challenges within the discipline and the Criminal Justice System more broadly, whilst reflecting on how forensic psychology can be applied to identify real world solutions.
Study Options
The following alternative study options are available for this course:
Part Time
Sep start
Features and Benefits
- Facilities: Your learning experience will be enriched by university facilities including our new research laboratories.
- Student Experience: Psychology at Northumbria is ranked in the Top 10 in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2026). Research Power: Northumbria’s research in
- Research Power: Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience is ranked 15th in the UK for research power out of 93 submissions (REF, 2021).
- Top School: Forensic Science at Northumbria is ranked 4th in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2026.
Careers & Employability
The MSc Forensic Psychology course is designed to enhance your employability by equipping you with transferable skills such as problem-solving, communication, critical evaluation, and time management.
You’ll have opportunities for networking with professionals through external collaborations with experts in the field and access to career guidance.
Completion of an MSc in Forensic Psychology could be useful for a range of careers within the Criminal Justice System.
Staff
You’ll be taught by leading academics and active researchers in forensic psychology, bringing cutting-edge knowledge to the course.
The staff’s expertise spans a variety of areas, including His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, the National Health Service and the legal system, ensuring you learn from professionals at the forefront of the discipline.
Facilities
You’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including the Experimental Psychology Lab, designed for group work and data collection. Research equipment such as EEG, eye-tracking, virtual reality, and motion capture can support your thesis and projects.
Online tools like Blackboard provide additional resources, including lecture captures, interactive workshops, and feedback systems, ensuring a comprehensive and supportive learning environment.
These facilities help you apply theoretical knowledge to practical, real-world forensic psychology scenarios.
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints
