Criminology & Criminal Psychology
MSc
Postgraduate
September 2026
Overview
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Applications for this course will open shortly. Please check back here for updates. If you have any questions, please contact our Course Enquiries Team via email, WhatsApp, or phone on 01227 928000. Our course teams will also be available to answer your questions at our upcoming open days. |
Gain a deep and practical understanding of how psychology informs every stage of the criminal justice process with our MSc Forensic and Investigative Psychology.
This British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Master’s will equip you with the critical insight, analytical skills, and professional understanding needed to excel in forensic and criminal justice settings.
What you’ll learn
- Learn how psychologists contribute to legal investigations, court proceedings, secure settings, and rehabilitation programmes.
- Explore the psychological roots of criminal behaviour and examine how offenders move through the justice system, from investigation to rehabilitation.
- Understand the ethical, legal, and practical dimensions of working in high-stakes environments.
- Develop professional and ethical skills aligned with BPS and HCPC standards.
- Enhance your employability through practical learning and collaboration with active forensic psychologists.
Taught by experienced practitioners and researchers active in the field, this course blends cutting-edge theory with real-world application. You'll examine how psychological theory and research shape practices across all stages, from initial police investigation to sentencing and detention.
With access to specialist facilities such as virtual reality tools, eye-tracking technology, observation suites, and the innovative Hydra simulation system, you’ll gain hands-on experience relevant to professional forensic environments.
Whether you’re preparing for a role in the police, prison, or probation services, or working towards further doctoral study, this MSc offers the foundation for a rewarding and impactful career.
I learnt a lot of valuable skills and knowledge from this course. The content was really interesting and the assessments were practical which was helpful in gaining insight into the everyday tasks of a Forensic Psychologist. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in pursuing Forensic Psychology.Rebecca, graduate
Why study at CCCU?
Entry requirements
Students who have studied in the UK require:
A minimum of a 2:1 in a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Undergraduate Psychology degree OR a BPS accredited MSc Psychology (conversion course).
OR
A minimum of a 2:2 in a BPS accredited Undergraduate Psychology degree AND relevant experience in forensic or investigative settings.
Applicants with a 2:2 may be invited to interview at the discretion of the Course Director.
Students who have studied overseas require:
A minimum of a UK equivalent to a 2:1 in an undergraduate course with Psychology major, including successful completion of research methods modules (covering quantitative and qualitative approaches) and a dissertation (independent research project) module.
Overseas students whose course is not considered the equivalent of a BPS accredited undergraduate degree (as assessed by the BPS), would normally require completion of a BPS accredited psychology (undergraduate or MSc Psychology conversion degree) which confers Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS (GBC) before you would be eligible to apply for a UK Doctorate in Forensic Psychology programme. Therefore, you may wish to contact the BPS to ascertain if your degree is eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC).
IELTS: If English is not your first language we will require you to obtain IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 overall, with no less than 7.0 in writing and no less than 6.5 in all other bands.
Module information
Core/optional modules
*Modules subject to approval
How you’ll learn
The course provides a student centred and applied teaching and learning approach with an evidence-based emphasis to develop your knowledge and skills in forensic and investigative psychology, both in relation to professional practice and research.
These teaching methods have been designed to develop your Graduate Attributes which will distinguish you as a CCCU graduate and support your work-readiness upon graduation. As such, a combination of: directed learning; shared learning; independent learning; interactive learning; reflective learning; supervision led learning and the use of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) are drawn upon to enhance your forensic and investigative skills and knowledge throughout the duration of the programme.
For every hour of directed study, you are expected to put in around 5 to 6 hours of independent study. In total, you are expected to dedicate approximately 35 to 40 hours per week (including on-campus sessions) to your studies.
When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions, you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments/examinations, workshops and seminars. Our Graduate Attributes modules are designed to support you in developing your self-study skills, to effectively engage with these tasks.
Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class. You will be encouraged to develop your knowledge beyond the contents provided, by exploring the broader research literature available and pursuing your own lines of enquiry. For some assignments, you might undertake independent research. For this, you will work under the supervision of a member of the course team, and you will meet with your supervisor regularly.
Throughout your studies, all students are assigned a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) who will also double as your mentor. This person will be your first port of call and will be available throughout your time with us.
In addition to your modules, the course also provides bespoke sessions and optional field trips (subject to availability) during the various Personal Development and Academic Development weeks.
You will have opportunities to engage in extra-curricular activities including field trips to local prisons and forensic mental health settings where possible. We also seek to engage students in our Hydra-suite simulation (when available).
Virtual Learning Environment
All students will have access to a programme specific blackboard discussion board whereby they can raise issues, ask questions and provide feedback regarding their ongoing experience of the programme. Audio and/or visual recording of lectures is encouraged throughout the duration of the programme in addition to the use of flipped learning video recordings, readings or preparatory work prior to teaching.
Additional Facilities
Whilst the programme is delivered at the Canterbury Campus, all students have access to access to the: modern and extensive library; computing facilities; software supporting data collection and analysis in psychological research; learning resources (e.g. text, journals), and other online resources to support them on the programme at all CCCU Campuses (Canterbury, Medway, Salomons).
The course was well organised, structured to accommodate everyone's needs and prepared us to go into either practice or further academic research.ChelseaDoctorate Forensic Psychology Student
How you’ll be assessed
To obtain the MSc qualification, you must pass all modules totalling 180 credits. These modules include: four ‘content modules’ (20 credits each), two ‘research methods modules’ (20 credits each) and a research project module (60 credits).
The assessment methods used within the programme draw from a range of methods for students to demonstrate and enhance their forensic & investigative psychological skills from both a theoretical and practical approach.
The MSc Forensic & Investigative Psychology Assessment Strategy conforms to the Universities Regulations and Credit Framework for the Conferment of Awards. For each 20 credit module, the summative assessments are weighted at 4000 words or equivalent. In addition, each assignment enables students to develop transferable skills they can then draw upon when working within forensic settings and/or pursuing Stage 2 to become – Qualification in Forensic Psychology.
Modules may also include formative assessments (e.g. ungraded work). Whilst formative assessments do not contribute to a students’ grades, completion of these enhance their forensic & investigate psychological skills from both a personal and professional development perspective.
Each of the 20 credit modules generally have two summative assessments drawn from the following range: written assignments (e.g. critical review of the literature); presentations (e.g. oral, visual); practical assignments and reports (e.g. case study, consultation essay, American Psychology Association (APA) style data analysis report, APA style research report). The 60 credit Research Project is comprised of both formative and summative assessment(s), including a 14,400 word dissertation.
Your future career
This course has a strong focus on students gaining key skills for potential employability, including being a stepping stone towards a career in forensic &/or investigative psychology and/or further education. Therefore, upon successful completion of the course students will have gained a range of valuable specific and transferable professional and academic skills to help them pursue a career within forensic &/or investigative psychology.
Upon completion of this course, students may explore opportunities to work within forensic environments, seek employment with forensic mental health services (e.g. NHS, private sector), pursue employment as a probation officer, prison officer, assistant psychologist or police officer roles or further education (e.g. PhD, Doctorate clinical and Forensic Psychology).
Further education students may consider upon completion of this programme may include: MSc Research, PhD, Doctorate Clinical Psychology, Doctorate Clinical/Forensic Psychology, Stage 2 Qualification in Forensic Psychology or other postgraduate degrees that may support career progression.
Related courses
Fees
Government loans are available for some postgraduate Master’s courses. Loans are subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria.
The rules around course eligibility mean that in some cases it may depend on how you are studying (full-time or part-time) as to whether you can apply for a postgraduate loan. To check whether your course is eligible, you can email the Student Fees Team or call 01227 923 456.
Tuition Fees for 2026/27 have not yet been finalised. These course web pages will be updated with Tuition Fee information once they have been agreed.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for postgraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
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Duration:
1 yearLocation(s):
CanterburyPostgraduate student links
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