MSc Investigative Forensic Psychology

at Bournemouth University

Core units
 

• Investigative Psychology: The theoretical and practical understanding of investigative psychology, focusing on serious crime investigations. You will initially explore the roles psychologists can play and general theories regarding why people commit crime, and subsequently specific theories as applied to different crime types including murder and violent crime, serial and sexual offending, group offending and cyber-crime.  

• Forensic Perspectives in Face-Processing: Focuses on the individual differences in face-processing, with an emphasis on the forensic implications of this work. As well as examining cognitive and personality factors that may influence our face recognition ability, you’ll consider social biases that affect our ability to process faces. 

• Professional Practice & Court Skills: Providing you with an understanding of, and initial training in expert witness and courtroom skills, legal and practical aspects of evidence. We will demonstrate pre-trial duties, courtroom procedures, lawyers’ requirements, and the preparation and structure of the expert witness’ report. 

• Advanced Research Methods: You will explore a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods and tools used for conducting advanced level research. It evaluates the intricacies of experimental design in different contexts. The unit will prepare you to undertake independent research using advanced research techniques.

• Advanced Statistics: This unit covers appropriate selection and use of a range of statistical techniques intended for analysing data from psychological research.

• Key Transferable Skills - Here the key skills for interpreting, presenting, writing and publishing research are taught. Topics include writing research and grant proposals, presentation skills and developing advanced writing skills.

• Research Project: You’ll work closely with a member of staff engaging in discussions in order to choose an appropriate research project based around a particular topic that interests you, or expanding an element from the course that you want to pursue further, perhaps linked to your future career aspirations. 

The normal requirements for embarking upon this course are:
 

• A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject or equivalent.

If you lack the formal academic qualifications needed to enter a postgraduate or post-experience degree, there are several alternative routes to follow. Some of these are based on experience. 

English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:
 

• IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with minimum 6.5 in each component, or equivalent.

​Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:
 

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.
• Accommodation and living costs. 
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately.
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas) if this is part of your course of study. 
• Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable).
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study.
• SportBU membership.

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

Graduates from this course have gone on to a rich variety of job roles, including researcher/analyst for the Office of National Statistics, Police Constable, Civilian Investigator, Serious Crime Analyst at the National Crime Agency, Assistant Serious Crime Analyst at the National Crime Agency, some specialist policing roles (for example in County Lines Team), taking 999 calls, and Ministry of Justice (HM Courts & Tribunals Service).