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Forensic Psychology MSc

Our Forensic Psychology master's offers an advanced understanding of the theoretical and applied issues in forensic psychology.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2025
Understanding scholarships and funding webinar. Wednesday 13 November 13:00 GMT

Overview

The MSc Forensic Psychology offers comprehensive professional training in forensic psychology. The programme combines expertise from academics and practitioners. We always make sure that the programme content is relevant, up to date and evidence-based.

You'll get the opportunity to develop theoretical and clinical skills. These skills will enhance your future employability and career progression. We focus on supporting you in becoming a scientist-practitioner in forensic settings. You'll gain an in-depth knowledge of:

  • offending and victim pathways
  • psychological assessments
  • rehabilitation
  • investigative and court processes
  • topical issues within forensic psychology

You'll conduct risk assessments and case formulations during practical sessions. You'll conduct structured framework research relating to forensic psychology practice. The course has two different routes:

  • Forensic Psychology, MSc (Accredited)
  • Forensic Psychology, MSc (Non-accredited)

We offer both accredited and non-accredited courses:

Forensic Psychology, MSc (Accredited)

This route is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), thereby accounting for Stage 1 of the Qualification in Forensic Psychology. You must have a first degree in psychology providing Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the BPS to apply to this course.

Forensic Psychology, MSc (Non-accredited)

This route is not accredited by the BPS. It does not fulfill Stage 1 of the BPS qualification in forensic psychology. If you want to progress onto Stage 2 of the Qualification in Forensic Psychology in the future, you need to go back and complete the necessary conversion programme. This is to give you the requisite GBC with the BPS.

This route is for those students who do not have a first degree in psychology providing GBC with the BPS. Their degree must cover research methods and statistics relevant to psychology. For example, a joint or combined degree that includes psychology or an international psychology degree that does not confer GBC with the BPS).

Other qualifications/experience may be acceptable. This will be considered by the Programme Director. Applicants may include:

  • mental health specialists
  • police officers
  • prison officers
  • social workers
  • support workers

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Important information

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What you'll learn

You will gain demonstrable, advanced knowledge and critical understanding in:

  • theories and professional issues of forensic psychology
  • the breadth and depth of forensic psychology practice and clinically relevant legislations
  • interdisciplinary nature of legal processes and psychological knowledge of criminal justice systems
  • investigative psychology and forensic interviewing
  • investigative processes, from pre-trial/conviction to through/after-care and restorative justice
  • legal, ethical and contextual issues in the evaluation of research and practice
  • interdisciplinary nature of legal processes and psychological knowledge to criminal justice systems

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

How you'll learn

Your development

Professional skills

You will gain professional skills in:

  • writing professional and analytical reports
  • developing forensic case formulations
  • independent learning
  • project planning
  • problem-solving
  • time management
  • teamwork
  • reflection

Your future

Careers

Graduates have successfully gained clinically relevant job roles including:

  • assistant psychologist
  • facilitator
  • trainee psychologists
  • forensics researcher

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Facilities

The Dame Margaret Barbour Building is home to the School of Psychology at Newcastle University. This bespoke facility is the newest addition to the Faculty of Medical Sciences. It offers psychology facilities such as:

  • forensic interviewing suite
  • nutrition and food preference unit
  • media and behaviour lab
  • medical consultation rooms
  • psychological testing cubicles

Find out more about our psychology facilities

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

  • matriculation
  • registration
  • tuition (or supervision)
  • library access
  • examination
  • re-examination
  • graduation

Find out more about:

Search for funding

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Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

How to apply


Using the application portal

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Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.


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Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Dr Darren Johnson
Chartered and Registered Forensic Psychologist
Lecturer in Forensic Psychology and Degree Programme Director
School of Psychology
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5914
Email: Darren.Johnson3@Newcastle.ac.uk

Karen Wilson
Senior Programme Administrator
School of Psychology
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 7925
Email: masters.forensic@ncl.ac.uk

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