This MSc focuses on case formulation and the applied aspects of forensic psychology. There is an emphasis on working with different groups, including children/adolescents, violent or sexual offenders, and those with forensic mental health concerns.
The programme has a clear focus on practice-based topics in forensic psychology. Students are able to conduct a research project alongside academics who are active researchers in their fields. Areas of expertise amongst staff include understanding deception and interviewing skills; investigative and courtroom processes; sexual fantasy and sexual offending; and online sexual exploitation material.
The School’s forensic psychology team draws on the expertise of a range of practitioners working in applied forensic psychology settings to provide specialist input into the programme.
How You Study
Teaching will take the form of direct lectures, small group exercises, and workshop-style activities.
The programme is usually delivered on Monday and Tuesdays.
Postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend at least two to three hours in an independent study. For more detailed information please contact the Programme Leader.
Contact Hours
Owing to the nature of postgraduate programmes, a significant proportion of your time will be spent in independent study and research. Research students will have meetings with their academic supervisors, however, the regularity of these will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and the stage of the programme. For taught programmes, weekly contact hours may vary depending on the individual module options chosen and the stage of the study.
Methods of Assessment
The way you will be assessed on your course will vary depending on the subject and the type of postgraduate programme you select. A taught programme could include a written dissertation, exams, presentations, and projects. A research programme could include a thesis, oral examination, and presentation to a group of research academics. You may be expected to demonstrate how your research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding. Please see the individual course pages to find out more.
Modules
Advanced Research Methods and Skills (Core)
Forensic Child Psychology (Core)
MSc Thesis (Core)
Processes of Investigation and Justice (Core)
Professional Practice and Risk (Core)
Research Methods and Skills (Core)
Understanding Criminal Behaviour (Core)
Working with Client Groups (Core)
How You Are Assessed
Assessment methods vary for each module and could include coursework (such as a dissertation or essay), written exams, case studies, group work, or presentations.
Assessment Feedback
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to you promptly – usually within 15 working days after the submission date.
Scholarships
There are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, you can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study.
Course-Specific Additional Costs
For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required, depending on your course. Some courses provide opportunities for you to undertake field work or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for the travel, accommodation and your meals may be covered by the University and so is included in your fee.
Where these are optional you will normally (unless stated otherwise) be required to pay your own transportation, accommodation and meal costs.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.
Entry Requirements 2021-22
First or upper second class honours degree in psychology. All offers made to those still completing their BSc are contingent upon the applicant meeting these requirements.
To use the MSc in Forensic Psychology as Stage 1 in the route towards becoming a Chartered Forensic Psychologist, an essential pre-requisite is that you must be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society.
This means that you will have undertaken an undergraduate degree in psychology approved by the British Psychological Society. Those without an approved psychology degree must undertake a BPS accredited conversion course, before stage two training can begin.
Whilst the conversion course can be undertaken after the MSc, completion of the MSc assumes a base level knowledge of psychological theory. Therefore, applications without a BPS accredited psychology degree should consider undertaking the conversion prior to the completion of the MSc. However, some individuals without GBC may choose to take the MSc to further their understanding of Forensic Psychology but should be aware that the course could not then be used to work towards Chartership as a Forensic Psychologist.
You should normally have at least an upper second class degree in psychology. It is helpful if you have experience (voluntary or paid) working in a forensically relevant area or have undertaken a research project relevant to the forensic psychology field.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. This qualification must have been obtained prior to submitting your application.
For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
Teaching and Learning During Covid-19
At Lincoln, Covid-19 has encouraged us to review our practices and, as a result, to take the opportunity to find new ways to enhance the student experience. We have made changes to our teaching and learning approach and to our campus, to ensure that students and staff can enjoy a safe and positive learning experience. We will continue to follow Government guidance and work closely with the local Public Health experts as the situation progresses, and adapt our teaching and learning accordingly to keep our campus as safe as possible.
Accreditations and Memberships
This programme is accredited with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and for those with BPS Graduate Basis of Chartership (GBC), acts as Stage 1 training towards becoming a Chartered Forensic Psychologist.
Interviews
Candidates who meet the entry requirements will be invited to the University of Lincoln for an interview with two members of the Course team (normally the Programme Leader and one other staff member).
The interview will typically cover applicants:
- Interests in forensic psychology
- Knowledge of basic psychological theory
- Knowledge of research methods and ability to talk about your own undergraduate research (either completed or in progress)
- Students' own research interests and subjects within psychology that interest you
- Students' ability to apply basic psychological theory to the solving of real-world problems.
Interview questions are designed to help us understand a student’s level of knowledge of psychological theory and ability to apply it to real-world problems. For example, questions might take the form of “pick a psychological theory and use it to explain X; how would you design a study to test that hypothesis?”
For these questions, there is no right or wrong theory to pick. We are, however, interested in a student’s knowledge of the theory they choose and how they use it to attempt to solve the problem. In this regard, we are not expecting students to fully explain “X” but are more interested in how they attempt to solve the problem.
Applicants should expect to be able to choose, explain, and discuss psychological theories and research topics that are of interest to them.
Whilst we encourage applicants to attend face-to-face interviews, for those who are based overseas or are unable to travel to the University of Lincoln, there may be an opportunity to undertake an online interview.
Research Areas and Topics
Areas of interest within the course team include but are not limited to:
Personality disordered offenders
Occupational stress in prisons
Investigate procedures
Courtroom procedures
Physical violence and violent fantasy
Sexual violence and sexual fantasy
Sexual arousal and decision-making
Sexual behaviour
Compulsive and impulsive behaviour
Gambling and criminality
Addictions
Homelessness and criminality.
Facilities
The Sarah Swift Building is the home of the Schools of Health and Social Care and Psychology. The building houses specialist teaching and research spaces for both Schools, as well as general teaching and learning facilities for the wider University.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this programme may pursue careers in many different forensic settings and roles.
This MSc acts as Stage 1 training for those with Graduate Basis for Chartered membership accredited psychology degrees to become a Chartered Forensic and HCPC Registered Psychologist.
Features
We have a number of external lecturers that deliver teaching on our programmes across our modules.
These provide students with an opportunity to gain insight into real-world settings as well as a chance to network with practitioners working in relevant areas of forensic practice.
