MSc Applied Forensic Psychology

You will develop real-world professional skills, along with robust theoretical understanding, which will stand you apart as a job candidate. Overview Your learning will be based on what the UK’s two largest employers of forensic psychologists told us that they need in a trainee forensic psychologist. When you graduate from the Master’s Programme in Applied Forensic Psychology, you will have rigorous analytical skills alongside practical skills, which will set you apart from others competing for the same jobs. You will enter employment with your eyes open to the challenges that you will face as a criminal justice professional, in terms of the populations with whom you will be working, and in terms of the challenges that are faced by criminal justice sector organisations. You will be skilled in understanding and conducting research, which you will learn to do to submission standard. Your robust research skills will enable you to apply independent critical analysis to existing and new theories and practices, throughout your career. Course details You will develop a robust understanding of the psychology research on which forensic psychology practice is based. This will be complemented by learning some of the real-life skills that forensic psychology practitioners use in their daily work. You will also have opportunities to engage in critical discussions with experienced forensic psychology practitioners, and with professionals from other criminal justice agencies. All of this will be underpinned by developing your own research skills to submission standard. Your robust research skills will enable you to apply independent critical analysis to existing and new theories and practices, throughout your career. Careers The largest UK employers of forensic psychologists are Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (in England and Wales) and the Scottish Prison Service. Forensic psychologists also work across other settings including hospitals, secure children’s homes, police forces, courts, and universities. In practice this means forensic psychologists assess, formulate, and intervene in those engaging in harmful behaviours to lead to safer societies. They communicate psychological knowledge and advice to other professionals. They develop and facilitate training for other professionals in forensic settings. They contribute to the international evidence base for forensic psychology. UK-trained forensic psychologists have also been recruited to jobs in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Barbados, mainland Europe, and the USA (note: USA jobs are in academia, because forensic psychology practitioners are not used in the same way there).