Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,620 for the course
International/EU: £17,725 for the course -
How long will I study?
2 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
Where will I study?
Course summary
- Study a British Psychology Society accredited course.
- Work towards completing Stage One of the two-stage BPS chartership process.
- Learn new research methods and conduct your own empirical project.
- Gain consultancy skills, communicating with professional audiences.
- Develop the knowledge, skills, values and academic approach to work in areas relating to forensic psychology.
On this course, you'll study both psychological theory and practice. You'll focus on the role of psychology within criminal justice processes – including investigative and legal and criminal processes, and how offenders are assessed, rehabilitated and reintegrated. When you graduate you'll be prepared for a range of worthwhile career paths.
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
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.
The course has a blended learning approach. You'll attend four 'block weeks' per year – in October, November, February and March – for 2.5 days for each of those weeks.
During the block weeks, you'll participate in workshop-based activities on topics in forensic psychology. The rest of your learning will be undertaken online, with screencasts, online activities and discussion threads.
You learn through
- workshop-based activities on campus
- independent study
- online activities
- guest lecturers
- screencasts
Course leaders and tutors
Jane Adlard
Programme Director MSc Forensic PsychologyApplied learning
Networking opportunities
There are guest speakers from the field of criminal justice, including practising psychologists and other professionals in the field. You’ll gain experience in research skills, and also learn about ongoing personal and professional development – as well as ethical practice in forensic psychology.
Future careers
This course prepares you to go on to Stage 2 of the chartership process, or further postgraduate study such as a PhD.
The course also prepares you for a career in
- crime analysis
- the police
- research
- interventions
- psychology
- appropriate adult services
- youth justice, probation and prisons
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
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
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.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Assessment And Formulation
Offender Treatment And Interventions
Quantitative Research Methods
Theories Of Criminal Behaviour
Final year
Compulsory modules
Applied Forensic Consultancy
Dissertation And Continuing Professional Development
Investigative Psychology
Legal And Criminal Justice
Qualitative Research Methods
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 are: Year 1: £3,540 Year 2: £7,080.
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
This course is not eligible for full-time Student visa sponsorship. International/EU students may apply for part-time Student visa sponsorship on an individual basis. Please contact Admissions for further advice. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2025/26 are: Year 1: £5,910 Year 2: £11,820
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available 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, 141.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.