MSc Applied Forensic Psychology

Why study this subject?

Forensic psychologists work across the criminal justice system, in prison and probation services, secure hospitals, the police forces and the courts. A masters course is a great way to consolidate what you have learned, build upon your studies and gain key skills.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

Our specially developed blended learning master’s is designed to offer you the convenience of being able to complete your studies alongside your current employment. You’ll access all your study materials online while also attending three, one-week teaching workshops at our High Wycombe campus.

You can choose to complete the course full-time over one year, or part-time over two. We’ve designed this course to fit in easily with your current work commitments.

We pride ourselves on teaching practical skills wherever and whenever we can, meaning you will always leave us feeling confident and prepared for the future. This will give you a sense of what it’s really like to work in the world of forensic psychology.

What facilities can I use?

Because this course has a blended-learning format, we’ll sign you up to our Virtual Learning Environment which means you’ll have access to lots of online resources wherever you are.

What will I study?

Our specially-developed blended learning Master’s offers you the opportunity to complete your studies flexibly alongside your current employment through online learning.

After graduation, and you go on to find employment, you may find yourself working with prisoners on treatment and rehabilitation programmes, and become involved in psychological interventions designed to modify criminal behaviour. You may also be called upon to give expert evidence to various audiences, including courts, and parole and mental health boards. 

Within our course, you will develop a skills base which will enable you to practice Forensic Psychology effectively and help prepare you to complete these important tasks. 

Our course will allow you to work through materials online, while also attending three, one-week blocks on campus. You can choose to complete the course full time over a year, or part time, fitting in the training more easily alongside your current work.

Buckinghamshire New University has strong links with a number of different prison establishments (based on category and population). In the course, therefore, your learning content will be informed by information gained from these partnerships and the research conducted by our lecturers. 

Serial killer archive

At Buckinghamshire New University, there are a number of undergraduate programmes where students delve into why people commit crime (at a societal, biological and psychological level), how they are investigated and how they evade capture, the dynamic between criminal and victims (the victimology), the support for victims and the psychology of repair and rehabilitation. These programmes include the BSc. (Hons) Forensic Psychology which tackles the psychological aspect and the BSc. (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Studies which combines a study of criminology with an examination of the Forensic Science component of investigations.

Dennis Nilsen gained notoriety as a serial killer. During the period from 1978 to 1983 he preyed upon some of the most vulnerable members of certain societal groups. At the time, these marginalised groups were often dismissed and ignored by investigators. Additionally, there were often victim-blaming narratives perpetuated in the media. In 1983, Nilsen faced justice and was convicted of six counts of murder and two of attempted murder. His sentence was life imprisonment, initially with a recommendation to serve a minimum of 25 years, which was later changed to a whole life tariff. Nilsen died on May 12, 2018, at York Hospital, due to medical complications following surgery.

The case remains a significant chapter in criminal history for many reasons. BNU has acquired an extensive collection of various personal documents and materials connected to Dennis Nilsen which will benefit students’ learning on Forensic Psychology and Criminology degree courses (undergraduate and postgraduate). The archive will also be used to support research projects available to funded research students and, once digitised, be available to academic researchers. The University will ensure that the archive is used only to develop our students’ learning and to support wider academic research. BNU will ensure that all those who access the archive are respectful to Nilsen’s victims and their families. 

How will I be taught and assessed?

A reflective approach to assessment is used throughout the programme, giving you the opportunity to apply theory and research findings to forensic clients and settings.

Assessments are a mix of written assignments in a report format, presentations, simulations, and discussions of a reflective nature. You are encouraged to build on earlier assignments as they progress in order to develop expertise in all areas important to forensic psychologists. 

Your course will culminate in an extended research project that brings together all your learning from across the course.