MA in Criminology with Forensic Psychology
Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 9,860 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* there is no application deadline for postgraduate courses
** home full-time: £9,860 | international full-time: £15,800
Introduction
Why choose this course?
This Criminology with Forensic Psychology MA programme enables you to combine two complementary subject areas.
The criminology elements will introduce you to the complex nature of crime, harm and victimisation, together with an appreciation of the role of criminal justice systems in relation to crime control, protection and the delivery of justice.
In the forensic component of the course, you will study investigative and legal processes. For example, how psychological methods can improve interviewing techniques and police decision-making through different profiling methods which are also critically evaluated.
This course is designed for those who have a social science, socio-legal or policy studies background and who want to develop their knowledge further. The course is open to those who have a good undergraduate degree in a relevant area, and, or, to those whose background is characterised by practitioner experience at an appropriate level in a relevant field.
You will also explore the practice and boundaries of Behavioural Investigative Advice in the UK. The criminology course examines the social, economic and political contexts that give rise to crime and victimisation. You will explore and challenge formal responses to offending behaviour, including policing, punishment and rehabilitation, and wider strategies of social control.
You will study the criminalisation process and engage critically with ‘what works' to reduce crime.
Note: If you are interested in becoming a practising psychologist you should undertake the MSc in Forensic Psychology as this programme is BPS-accredited
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- Kingston's location offers opportunities to see the criminal justice system in operation through the close network of courts, prisons and community-based crime-reduction programmes.
- In addition to learning about forensic psychology and the substantive elements of criminological theory, research and practice, the course examines an array of social harms and perspectives which have traditionally been neglected by criminologists and the legal system.
- The course offers opportunities to learn first-hand experiences of imprisonment, transitions into the community and the desistance process.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
What you will study
Criminology is a dynamic and multi-disciplinary subject that draws upon a range of theoretical frameworks and social research techniques to explore criminological phenomena. You will engage with the theoretical ideas that govern the discipline and apply them to better understand the substantive issues in the study of crime, harm and justice. In the forensic psychology component, you will study the psychological processes underpinning investigative techniques and judicial processes. The programme will involve a critical appreciation of how psychology can be used to improve: police decision-making when interviewing witnesses and courtroom procedures.
- Full-time: This course, studied across one year, is made up of three core modules, a dissertation and one elective module.
- Part-time: Typically, as a part-time student you will study two core modules in Year 1. In Year 2 you will take one core module and a dissertation. In addition, you will study one further elective module which may take place in Year 1 or Year 2.
Modules
Core modules
- Investigative and Legal Processes in Forensic Psychology
- Understanding Crime and Criminal Careers
- Criminological Research in Practice
- Criminology Dissertation
- Punishment: History and Meaning
- Victimology
Please note
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
After you graduate
This course can lead to careers within various areas, working for both public and private organisations. This may include policy-making; offender management; crime reduction and multi-agency partnership work; security and policing; criminological research; local and national government; and work for related advocacy and policy-based organisations.
Recent graduates have gone on to work for Metropolitan Police Service, Avon & Somerset Police, HM Prison Service, Suzy Lamplugh Trust/National Stalking Helpline, Prison Advice Care Trust and private security.