MSc Forensic Psychology

Birmingham City University's MSc Forensic Psychology is a one-year degree designed to prepare students for a successful career as a forensic psychologist. The course focuses on understanding criminal behaviour, the psychology of victims, and the legal system. 

Experienced tutors teach this programme, covering important areas such as investigative psychology, how to assess offenders, giving evidence in court, and treating offenders. 

Teaching includes lectures, case studies, workshops, and visits to criminal justice sites, while assessments include projects, examinations, presentations, and a dissertation.

Birmingham City University offers excellent facilities to support practical learning for MSc Forensic Psychology students, including mock courtrooms and psychology labs. The course is taken in the Curzon Building, a £63 million facility with an interviewing suite and specialist psychology labs. 

These labs are fitted with advanced equipment like EEG and eye-tracking technology, which helps students to gain a deeper understanding of what they are learning. BCU’s links to the criminal justice sector also help graduates gain knowledge and land jobs faster.

Practical experience working with offenders and victims of crime, whether paid or as a volunteer, is a plus. If you're a part-time student, you'll be expected to work in a forensic-related role.

Grade Requirements

• Candidates must have a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree, or equivalent, in Psychology or an MSc or Graduate Diploma in Psychology, with evidence of strong research methods skills.
• Applicants with International Psychology degrees must hold qualifications equivalent to the BPS standard in research methods and statistics.

English Proficiency

• International students must have an IELTS overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.

International students interested in the MSc Forensic Psychology at Birmingham City University should expect to pay £18,600 for full-time study in the 2025/26 academic year.

Birmingham City University (BCU) provides scholarships and bursaries to help international students with tuition fees and other costs. For postgraduate students, the International Postgraduate Merit Scholarships offer a reduction: £2,000 for those with a first-class undergraduate degree, £1,500 for a 2:1 degree, and £1,000 for a 2:2 degree. 

The Postgrad Solutions bursaries, with other external and partner bursary offers, provide five awards of £2,000 each. Further financial support can be found through the Master’s Loan, available for Irish and EU students for up to £12,741, covering tuition and living expenses.

Graduates of the MSc Forensic Psychology course from Birmingham City University are well-prepared for roles such as:

• Forensic Psychologist
• Probation Officer
• Police Analyst or Investigator
• Victim Support Specialist 
• Expert Witness or Consultant
• Prison Psychologist

Candidates interested in this course should contact an AHZ counsellor for assistance with their application.