Forensic Psychology

Entry requirements

1.Degree requirement

a. GBC status

You must hold, or have applied for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC, formerly GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Please note that Graduate Membership of the BPS is not accepted.

You will normally have GBC status if you hold a Psychology honours degree accredited by the BPS. Otherwise, you can apply to have your existing degree assessed by the BPS, or take a conversion course. If you are not sure whether you hold GBC status, please contact the BPS directly.

b. Adequate level of academic achievement

You must also hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree with a classification (grade average) of a high 2.1 (i.e. average grade of 65 or over) or Merit in the UK system (the second highest classification after First/Distinction). Results from institutions in other countries will be assessed individually according to this standard.

An assessed piece of coursework must also be submitted as part of the application for review by the programme director.

c. Statistics and research methods training in the social sciences

This programme includes a one-year statistics sequence which you must normally pass in order to receive your award. The teaching assumes that you are familiar with the following topics:

1. Means and standard deviations
2. Distributions, hypothesis testing and statistical significance
3. t-tests
4. Correlation coefficients
5. Variables and measurement

Therefore, your existing degree transcript should note that you have taken and passed a minimum of one term each in statistics and social science research methods courses (or two terms of a joint statistics and research methods course).

2. Forensic-related work/research experience

We encourage applicants to gain voluntary (or in some cases paid) work/research experience in a forensic setting, for example victim support, the police, the prison service, the NHS, or forensic-relevant charities. However, relevant work experience is not mandatory for entry to this programme.

The University of Kent's Code of Practice provides guidance on the practice and operation of APL (accreditation of prior learning).

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Immerse yourself in the only MSc programme that offers an entire module on offender cognition, explore relapse prevention, sex offenders with learning disabilities and the socio-demographic and psychological factors that lead to behaviours in some individuals and not others. This course is accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS) and satisfies the academic component of professional training required to become a chartered forensic psychologist.

Reasons to study MSc Forensic Psychology at Kent

• Become part of Kent's Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology (CORE-FP) alongside a large team of internationally-renowned experts who are involved in major journals and assess and treat individuals who have offended
• Visit secure forensic establishments to broaden your experience and talk with staff who are chartered
• Test out your own theories and hypotheses in our excellent facilities, including brain stimulation and virtual reality laboratories
• Over 80% of our Psychology research was classified as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ for environment and publications in Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
• Recognition by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as meeting the nationally recognised criteria for preparation training for PhD research.

What you’ll learn

Build on existing knowledge, abilities and skills by developing both in basic and advanced contemporary statistical and methodological issues in psychology. This degree will prepare you for doctoral study, an academic career or a job in the NHS as a psychologist.

Information for international students

Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Please note that international fee-paying students cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.

English language entry requirements

The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.

For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.

Need help with English?

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.

Fees and funding

For further information about funding, including scholarships, please visit our funding web pages.