This course is a full-time, one-year MSc studied at the University of Leicester. It is accredited by the BPS Division of Forensic Psychology.

Course Summary

Forensic psychology is a major growth area in contemporary psychology.

The MSc Forensic Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). It is a full-time course designed to cover the application of psychology to forensic and legal issues.

The principal aim of the course in to equip students with a sound knowledge and understanding of a broad range of topics in forensic and legal psychology. This knowledge includes not only an appreciation of theory and fact, but also an awareness of the strengths and limitations of research evidence, as well as its applications.

Students studying on the MSc in Forensic Psychology will study the following academic modules:

• Psychology of Criminal Behaviour 
• Legal Psychology
• Forensic Psychology Practice 
• Research Methods
• Psychology and the Courts
• Empirical Dissertation

Students will also complete an eight-week work experience placement over the summer term.

A wide-range of placements are available, covering prisons, special hospitals, secure units, probation services, the police, and academic settings.

International students

We welcome you regardless of whether you have 'Graduate Basis for Registration' from the British Psychological Society.

Please note, however, that a student seeking to become a practising Forensic Psychologist in the UK would have to have 'Graduate Basis for Registration' from the British Psychological Society prior to enrolling in this course in order to become a Chartered Forensic Psychologist in the UK. The requirements for becoming a practising Forensic Psychologist in the UK can be found at the British Psychological Society website.

Publications (by ex-students)

Crawford E and Bull R. (2006) Teenagers' difficulties with key words regarding the criminal court process. Psychology, Crime & Law, 12, 653-667.

Grennan S and Woodhams J. (2007) The impact of bullying and coping strategies on the psychological distress of young offenders. Psychology, Crime & Law, 13, 487-504.

Norton R and Grant T. (2008) Rape myth in true and false rape allegations. Psychology, Crime & Law, 14, 275-285.

Palmer E and Binks C. (2008) Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory- II with incarcerated male offenders aged 18-21 years. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 18, 232-242.

Tonkin M, Bond JW and Woodhams J. (2009) Fashion conscious burglars? Testing the principles of offender profiling with footwear impressions recovered at monastic burglaries. Psychology, Crime & Law, 15, 327-345.

The deadline for the current year is 30th May 2012.
If you need further information please see below.

Next step: request an Information and Application Pack

For general queries about the course please contact:

Forensic Psychology Course Administrator
School of Psychology
University of Leicester
106 New Walk
Leicester LE1 7EA
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 116 252 2481
Fax: +44 (0) 116 223 1057

Email: ab102@le.ac.uk