Forensic Psychology, MSc

Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.

To be considered for this Masters degree you will need:

• An initial degree (a minimum of a 2.1) in Psychology (conferring Graduate Basis for Chartership – GBC)
  If you have studied overseas and your degree is not accredited by the British Psychological Society you could visit https://www.bps.org.uk/join-us/membership/graduate-membership (see the non-UK tab) for more information on how to apply for Graduate Membership.

• A well written personal statement which answers the following questions:

1. Why you want to study for an MSc in Forensic Psychology (max 200 words)

2. Your understanding of what a Forensic Psychologist does in their role (max 200 words)

3. Describe any employment or voluntary experience and how it might be relevant to this programme of study  (max 200 words)

4. Finally, tell us a little about yourself, your interests and career aspirations (max 350 words)

• A current academic reference.

• If English is not your first language you will need to have a minimum of IELTS 7, with a minimum of 6.5 in all domains, or a University approved equivalent, prior to starting the programme.

Applicants who meet all the above criteria will be invited to a short on-line interview and scored based on a number of questions. If not initially made an offer following the interview, candidates can be held on a waitlist or offered an alternative eligible course.

Student learning is based on a blended learning approach and facilitated through a wide range of methods including lectures, online content, independent study, observations, group based working and inquiry based learning.

For the taught part of the programme you will undertake three 30 credit core modules which are unique to this programme. These cover Professional Issues in Forensic Psychology Practice, Legal and Criminological Psychology and Understanding and Working with those who Offend.  In addition, you will receive 30 credits of research teaching (20 credit Statistical and Research Methods and 10 credit Generic Research Skills) where the teaching is shared with other postgraduate psychology programmes.

You will also complete a 60 credit supervised research project over the course of the programme.

You will undertake a range of assessments the majority of which are based on the types of activities undertaken by forensic psychologists including:

• Developing an information leaflet
• Writing a case report
• Giving a short assessed presentation
• Writing a structured reflection
• Producing a policy paper

We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching.

Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. 

However, online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material and to revise for assessments. 

At least 40 credits

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh. Many University departments develop and offer Welsh medium or bilingual modules as part of their courses so you will need to discuss the possibilities with the relevant Programme Director. You can study a module or modules through the medium of Welsh where possible or submit your dissertation in Welsh with guidance from a subject specialist through the medium of Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

• Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
• Access to modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh.
• Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
• Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

• a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
• a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
• a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
• a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Accredited by the British Psychological Society.

Prof. Jason Davies -  Programme Director

Dr Laura Broome -  Programme Admissions Lead & Module Coordinator for Investigative and Legal Psychology

Dr Vasiliki Kravvariti - Module Coordinator for Professional Issues and Core Concepts in Forensic Psychology 

Prof. Phil Reed -  Module Coordinator for Research Method

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

We also have a range of Taught Master's Scholarships available.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Should you wish to work with local services, for placement or research, you will need to pay fees associated with:

• Enhanced DBS check
• Travel to and from the service site

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.

Selection for the programme will be based on the written application, academic references and an interview.

When writing your personal statement for your application, please ensure that you address the following four questions under the corresponding headings:

1. Why you want to study for an MSc in Forensic Psychology (max 200 words)
2. Your understanding of what a Forensic Psychologist does in their role (max 200 words)
3. Describe any employment or voluntary experience and how it might be relevant to this programme of study (max 200 words)
4. Finally, tell us a little about yourself, your interests and career aspirations (max 350 words

Supply a current academic reference.

If English is not your first language you will need to have a minimum of IELTS 7, with a minimum of 6.5 in all domains, or a University approved equivalent, prior to starting the programme.

Applicants who meet all the above criteria will be invited to a short online interview and scored based on a number of questions. If not initially made an offer following the interview, candidates can be held on a waitlist or offered an alternative eligible course.

For any information about the application process please email study@swansea.ac.uk.

International students – visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our website - https://www.swansea.ac.uk/international-campuslife/immigration/

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

For any information about the programme please email the Admission Lead, Dr Laura Broome: l.broome@Swansea.ac.uk