MSc Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology at Winchester provides the academic component (Stage 1) of the route to becoming a Chartered Forensic Psychologist with the British Psychological Society’s Division of Forensic Psychology and Practitioner Forensic Psychologist status with the Health and Care Professions Council. The programme also supports you with the transition towards Stage 2 of the chartership process by incorporating practice-based assessments. The course introduces the context and application of psychology in various forensic settings including the legal and criminal justice system, forensic psychological practice and forensic mental health. You are introduced to the role of a forensic psychologist in practice. The programme focuses on core theoretical models of crime with an emphasis on theoretical, practical and methodological limitations. When considering applied skills in forensic practice, there is a focus on specialist assessments, core treatments and interventions utilised when working with various client groups in a forensic setting. Client groups include offenders in prison, secure hospitals and the community, as well as offenders on probation and within the legal system (court assessment). You gain the ability to design, conduct, analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological research in a chosen specialised research area. There is an emphasis on reflective practice skills, and professional and ethical practice in the workplace. Students are also encouraged to work with the university’s volunteering team, to seek out opportunities for working or volunteering in relevant forensic practice roles alongside their course Core modules include Foundations of Forensic Psychology Practice, The Criminal Justice System and the Legal Framework, Specialist Skills in Treatment and Interventions, and Investigative Psychology. You have access to excellent facilities including numerous research cubicles and laboratories equipped for conducting forensic interviews, developmental research, EEG and social observation. There is a strong criminal investigation representation and practitioner focus within the teaching team, and there is a departmental forensic research group which complements the programme. Forensic Psychology graduates pursue careers in various specialisms within criminal justice pathways, including further training to become Registered Forensic Psychologists. The knowledge and transferable skills acquired can also be useful for a career as a mental health practitioner, crime analyst or researcher. Find out more about the Psychology Department . Accreditation The Forensic Psychology programme at Winchester is accredited through the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides the academic component (Stage 1) of the route to becoming a Chartered Forensic Psychologist with full membership of the BPS’s Division of Forensic Psychology. Successful completion of Stage 1 enables graduates to progress to further study such as Stage 2, or Doctorate level training, the standard necessary to become a Registered Forensic Psychologist through the Health and Care Professions Council.

A first or second-class honours degree (or recognised equivalent qualification) in Psychology and Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Students who do not fulfil this GBC entry requirement are considered on an individual basis by the programme team.