MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health

This course, part of a suite of courses in the field of forensic psychology at Coventry University, which also includes MSc Forensic Psychology, and MSc Forensic Psychology and Offender Rehabilitation, is designed to provide you with a thorough grounding in the theory, themes, issues and practical skills we consider to be central to forensic psychology and forensic mental health settings.

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In 2017, the National Audit Office estimated that 10% of the prison population in England was receiving treatment for a mental health problem. Further, that 37% of people in prison had reported mental health problems to HM Inspector of Prisons. In this course, you will have the opportunity to study the types of mental health disorders commonly found in prisons, and be taught how to assess and work with individuals in forensic settings, including understanding appropriate treatment programmes and the psychological challenges that can be faced by staff working in the prison service.

The course has been designed to cover the British Psychological Society’s Division of Forensic Psychology's (“DFP”) core curriculum, which includes foundational topics such as the theoretical basis of forensic psychology across a range of settings and risk assessment, as well as focusing on mental health issues in forensic settings. The aim of the course upon successful completion is for you to have gained an understanding of the influence mental health can have on how offenders and victims think, feel and act, as well as the opportunity to consider how our criminal justice system can respond to such individuals.

Our current staff for this course have over 100 years’ worth of combined, varied professional psychological experience, either as British Psychological Society Chartered/Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered Members themselves, and/or as active researchers.

Applicants should hold the equivalent of a minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree in Psychology. Consideration will be given to applicants who hold the equivalent of a minimum of 2:2 undergraduate degrees in Science or Social Sciences where a minimum of 50% of undergraduate study is in Psychology with evidence of studying curriculum including research methods.  

 This course requires IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5. Pre-sessional English is available if required.

According to the British Psychological Society, the largest single employer of forensic psychologists in the UK is the HM Prison Service. Psychologists can also be found employed in rehabilitation units, secure hospitals, the Social Services, conducting research in University Departments and working in private consultancy.

There are two stages to becoming a practising Forensic Psychologist and Chartered Member of the BPS; requiring a combination of professional education and practice. In the first instance, you need the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), followed by an accredited Masters in Forensic Psychology, such as this course.

The second stage requires a minimum of two years of supervised practice and successful completion of Stage 2 of the BPS Qualification in Forensic Psychology before you are eligible to register with the HCPC and use the title of ‘Forensic Psychologist’.

By studying Forensic Psychology and Mental Health, you should be able to develop knowledge and skills that are relevant across the criminal justice system in a variety of roles, including: crime scene analyst; trainee forensic psychologist; trainee clinical psychologist; behavioural investigative advisor; lecturer in forensic psychology; Home Office, local government or police researcher; police officer; youth offending team worker; offending behaviour programme facilitator, or probation officer.

Where our graduates work

Some of our previous MSc Forensic Psychology graduates have gone on to further study, or into Stage 2 of the BPS Qualification in Forensic Psychology. Other Graduates have gone on to work for HMPPS, including a range of prison settings such as those dedicated to the rehabilitation of sexual offenders.