Everything you need to know...
-
What is the fee?
Home: £10,620 for the course
International/EU: £17,725 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
-
Where will I study?
-
When do I start?
September 2025
Where will I study?
Course summary
- Explore psychological theories of criminal behaviour and offender rehabilitation.
- Apply ethical practices in forensic psychology to real-world settings.
- Gain key skills in critical thinking, research, ethical practice, and communication.
- Develop consultancy skills by working with professionals in forensic psychology and criminal justice.
- Progress towards Stage One of the BPS chartership process in forensic psychology.
You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of criminal behaviour, offender rehabilitation and investigative psychology, while applying theoretical concepts to practical settings. Upon completion, you’ll be equipped to advance towards Stage Two of the BPS chartership process if you’re eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (otherwise you can apply for a BPS-accredited conversion course, MSc Psychology or MSc Developmental Psychology), or to pursue various roles across forensic psychology and criminal justice.
Please note the application closing date is Friday 25th April 2025, and all applications will be considered on Thursday 8th May 2025.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Graduate View
‘The teaching staff were both knowledgeable and passionate about their subject field. Their passion was infectious, and one of the reasons I became interested in furthering my studies. This course was the stepping stone I needed to progress to PHD level.’
Emma Finch, MSc Forensic Psychology, 2018 graduate
How you learn
The course is designed to provide a supportive, challenging and inclusive learning experience, enabling you to reach your full potential, both academically and professionally. You’ll be encouraged to apply empirical research to critically evaluate current challenges and emerging developments in the field.
You’ll gain insights into psychological theories of criminal behaviour, how the criminal justice system operates and the role of psychology within it – including offender assessment and intervention. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop consultancy skills by presenting your findings to professional audiences and conducting your own empirical research project.
The course uses a variety of teaching methods that combine theoretical learning with practical experience. Your learning will be informed by current research and delivered through interactive and engaging lectures and workshops. We focus on active participation, with student-led discussions, case studies and hands-on projects all helping you apply forensic psychology principles to real-world issues. You’ll also have access to online resources and interactive forums for further independent study and peer-supported learning.
This is an on-campus, weekly attendance course, with full-time delivery being across two days a week, and part-time over one day a week. You’ll have 27 hours of face-to-face contact per module, with 22.5 of these on campus, and 4.5 online.
You learn through:
- lectures and workshops
- case studies and practical exercises
- access to online resources
- peer-supported learning
- independent study
- exams, presentations and posters
- case study and research reports
- client-based portfolios
- reflective practice
- a dissertation
Key themes
Key topics include offender assessment and rehabilitation, investigative psychology, the legal system and research methods.
Key areas that you will study include:
- why people offend
- how offences are dealt with in the criminal justice system
- how those who offend are assessed for risk, and how risk is managed
- how interventions are used to help prevent offending
- how research is undertaken and used in the criminal justice system
- how psychological professionals undertake different types of work within the legal system
- how to apply ethical practice standards to work in forensic psychology
Course support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- access to dedicated student support advisers including academic, employability and personal advisers
- access to our career services, including timetabled sessions to enhance employability and professional development
- online resources and Skills Centre for assignment help
Additionally, each course module highlights the knowledge and transferable skills you'll develop, preparing you for future careers.
Course leaders and tutors
Applied learning
The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) module is designed to prepare you for professional practice in forensic psychology. You'll explore the pathway to becoming a forensic psychologist, engaging in reflective practice discussions and hearing directly from industry practitioners. Additionally, timetabled sessions with the university’s careers services will focus on key employability skills – including CV development, interview techniques and voluntary work opportunities. You’ll also have access to one-on-one career adviser meetings for personalised guidance.
Modules such as Assessment of Offenders, Interventions with Offenders, Investigative Psychology, and Legal and Criminal Justice focus on applying psychological theories to real-world situations. You’ll work through case studies and scenarios directly tied to the criminal justice system, encouraging critical self-reflection and emphasising the practical relevance of forensic psychology in diverse contexts.
Live projects
You’ll collaborate with external agencies within the criminal justice field. These live projects allow you to contribute to real-world tasks – such as developing informational pamphlets, conducting literature reviews or analysing data for agency clients. Your work will be directly used by professional bodies, giving you valuable hands-on experience and insight into forensic consultancy.
Networking opportunities
Throughout the course you’ll meet a range of guest speakers and practitioners working in forensic psychology and related fields, such as police officers, probation officers and forensic psychologists. These networking opportunities provide invaluable insights into the profession and allow you to build connections that could support your future career. The course leader, a practitioner forensic psychologist, will also share their own professional experiences, illustrating the real-world application of theory and the importance of evidence-based practice.
Previous students are also invited to share their career journeys, discussing their progression to Stage 2 of becoming a forensic psychologist, pursuing a PhD or working in related fields. These sessions give you practical advice on navigating your career options and the steps needed for success.
Future careers
This course prepares you for the following potential careers:
- forensic psychologist
- probation officer/
- probation services officer
- police careers
- substance-use support work
- research and academic careers
- legal and criminal justice roles
Previous graduates have gone on to work for the Prison Service, the Probation Service, the Police, and organisations such as the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn more about your department
Psychology Facilities Tour
Take a look around Sheffield Hallam University's psychology facilities with student Angelica.
Equipment and facilities
You’ll have access to our specialist equipment and facilities, including:
- psychological testing labs
- transcribing suites
- risk assessment tools used for offenders
- mental health and neurodiversity assessments
You can also book specialist assessment materials and software through subject-specialist booking service.
360 tour - psychology facilities
Entry requirements
All students
You should have successfully completed an undergraduate honours degree in psychology (2:1 or above). Undergraduate honours degrees in criminology or other relevant disciplines may also be considered. It would be helpful if your previous studies included research methods.
If you have successfully completed an undergraduate honours degree in psychology (or other relevant discipline) with a 2:2, you may be considered if you can satisfy the course team that you have the ability to complete the course (e.g., through evidence significant work experience in criminal justice, or successful completion of other relevant postgraduate study). For example, your work experience could be in the voluntary sector in youth justice, support work, drug rehabilitation, or programme facilitation.
If your undergraduate degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC) of the BPS. This means that by completing the MSc Forensic Psychology, you will fulfil Stage 1 of the requirements towards chartered membership of the BPS and full membership of the Division of Forensic Psychology.
If your undergraduate degree is not accredited by the BPS, you can gain eligibility for the GBC of the BPS through alternative routes. Such routes include BPS acceptance of an overseas psychology degree, or undertaking a conversion course such as a BPS accredited MSc in Psychology.
If English is not your first language or your undergraduate degree was not conducted in English, then you will be required to have an English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS (or equivalent) band 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in writing.
When completing your application form, please keep in mind that the selection panel will be considering the following:
• your grades
• your relevant work experience (paid or voluntary), or planned
• your personal statement, which should reflect your understanding of forensic psychology, and careers in this field, explain why you wish to undertake the course, and how the course fits in with your career aspirations. Try to include reference to the course-specific modules, and give some evidence as to how these fit with your particular interests. You should also discuss any relevant research you have undertaken during other studies, and what research interests you would like to pursue during the course.
As there are very limited places available on the MSc Forensic Psychology, it is important that your application form is completed fully and you cover the points indicated above in clear and concise detail. We reserve the right not to consider incomplete applications.
The selection panel may also invite applicants to attend a brief interview as part of the application process, which can be either face-to-face or via Skype.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Applied Forensic Consultancy
Case Formulation: Assessment Of Offenders
Case Formulation: Interventions With Offenders
Continuing Professional Development In Forensic Psychology
Ethics In Forensic Research And Practice
Forensic Psychology Dissertation
Investigative Psychology
Legal And Criminal Justice
Qualitative Research Methods For Forensic Psychology
Quantitative Research Methods For Forensic Psychology
Theories Of Criminal Behaviour
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Social Sciences (PDF, 154.4KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
