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About this course
Renowned worldwide, this MSc in Investigative and Forensic Psychology is a high-quality master's course providing academic and research knowledge of forensic practice. This includes crime reduction and intervention; investigative procedures, forensic interviewing, court processes, custody and rehabilitation.
Introduction
Why Choose Investigative and Forensic Psychology at Liverpool?
it’s the only programme of its type offered by a Russell Group University
we have received multiple commendations by the British Psychological Society
the course is eligible for Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and eligible for ESRC 1+3 training studentship linked to a PhD programme
you’ll join sessions offered by a high number and calibre of external practitioners delivering key understanding of real-life applications
we place a strong emphasis on employability skills and as a result our students have gone on to be some of the most successful individuals in their field
the course attracts a large number of international students and visiting speakers.
Who is this course for?
This course is for you if you have a high 2:1 bachelor’s degree in Psychology (65% or above) and want to pursue a career in forensic psychology, law enforcement, investigations, intelligence, or go on to study a PhD and work in research/academia.
What you'll learn
Criminal Behaviour – statistics
Research Methods
Policing & Emergency Response
Assessment of the criminal act
Legal processes, court process and potential custodial and through care processes
Conceptual and theoretical exploration of aggression, deviance, decision-making, leadership and stress, memory, communication and persuasion.
The psychology of crowd dynamics.
Accreditation
Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as Stage 1 Forensic Chartership training (if applicants UG degree is accredited by BPS); recognised by the Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP, British Psychological Society), and also counts towards Chartered Forensic Status.
Applicants do not need to have completed a psychology degree recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as Graduate basis for chartership (GBC). However, if applicants do not have GBC then they need to be aware that unless they obtain GBC from the BPS before completing the masters they will not be able to progress to Stage 2 Forensic Chartership.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Final project
Dissertation (see module description below)
Examples of previous dissertations:
The construction and communication of Criminal Profiles: A New Zealand study.
Do treatment completers differ from Treatment Drop-outs in a British Voluntary Domestic Violence Intervention Programme? A Preliminary Investigation of Predictors of Attrition.
Adolescents who sexually harm: Can an identified subtype predict the risk of recidivism.
Help or hindrance? The use of text messages within crisis negotiation environment
Crime scene actions and characteristics of sexual offenders in Korea
An investigation into confidence in UK policing: bridging the gap between neo-Durkheimian theory and enhancing confidence in typically critical groups of society
Grooming for sexual exploration: An exploratory study of victims and perpetrator characteristics
Major Incident Leadership: A Perspective from the Emergency Services
Male on Male rape: A multivariate model of offence behaviour
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you're assessed
Assessment is by primarily through coursework. There is an in class exam for the module PSYC640 Research methods and statistics. Assessments align with the University of Liverpool commitment to have relevant, authentic and varied activities and are designed to lead directly to enhanced professional and personal objectives as well as being appropriate to the academic discipline.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Digital fluency
Confidence
Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
Research-connected teaching
Active learning
Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Gain a Postgraduate Certificate
If you enrol on a master’s degree and complete 60 credits you may be able to exit the programme early and earn a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) for the work you have completed. This usually amounts to one semester when completed full-time.
Gain a Postgraduate Diploma
If you enrol on a master’s degree and have completed 120 credits you may be able to exit the programme early and earn a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) for the work completed. This usually amounts to two full semesters when completed full-time, without having to complete the final dissertation module.
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
An exciting place for postgraduate study
Internationally recognised qualifications with a wide range of programmes
Access to some of the best specialist units in the UK
World-leading excellence in research and research-connected teaching
The MSc Investigative and Forensic Psychology is renowned worldwide and attracts a large number of international students and visiting speakers each year
Provides specialist training with taught and research components
Work alongside internationally-renowned academic researchers and experts in their field.
The course content is excellent, there are vast research opportunities, the staff are incredible and supportive and we get to see the real-world impact of what we’re learning in class.
Tulela Pea, MSc Investigative and Forensic Psychology 2022
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
On completion of the programme, your resulting knowledge, skills and attitudes will enable you to put psychological principles into effect in a variety of settings including research, practice and the interface of applied research.
The scientific aspects of the course, including the application of a reasoned approach, problem solving and manipulation of data, provide useful tools for careers in healthcare, law enforcement, finance, IT and research.
This Programme provides a solid grounding for careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, government agencies, education, commercial or industrial sectors.
Forensic and Investigative Psychologists can work in various fields, including:
Crime analysts and principal crime analysts working for police forces
National and International Police forces
Behavioural investigative advisors
Medium/high security prisons, psychiatric units or hospitals.
Home Office
Probation services
Youth offending teams
National Crime Agency
Office for National Statistics
PhD’s
Research associates
Lectureships
PsychD Clinical Psychology
Fraud investigators
Ministry of Defence
Security Services (MI5, MI6)
Defence and Science Technology Laboratory
Expert witness
Professional consultancy
Independent Office for Police Conduct
TiKTok Hate crime policy
Mobile phone cellsite analyst
With 88% of all graduates in work or further study within six months, our students enjoy high employability rates.
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Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
Career planning
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year - £11,700
International fees
Full-time place, per year - £28,300
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies..
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
If you’re a UK University of Liverpool graduate joining a master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive £3,000 off your tuition fees. You must have graduated in the last two years and received a widening access scholarship during your undergraduate studies.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
Qualification
Details
Postgraduate entry requirements
To apply, you must have a high 2:1 bachelor’s degree in Psychology (65% or above) with high marks in research methods and statistics.
You do not need to have completed a psychology degree recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as a Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC). However to progress to Stage 2 Forensic Chartership you must obtain GBC from the BPS.
All applicants must have some relevant work experience with a vulnerable client group (voluntary or paid), but not necessarily in a forensic setting.
Applicants who meet the minimum entry requirement will be invited to attend an online interview.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MSc, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
Qualification
Details
IELTS
7.0 overall, with no component below 6.5
TOEFL iBT
100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 21, reading 21, writing 21 and speaking 23. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Duolingo English Test
130 overall, with no component below 120
Pearson PTE Academic
69 overall, with no component below 61
LanguageCert Academic
75 overall, with no skill below 70
PSI Skills for English
C1 Pass in all bands
INDIA Standard XII
National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.
WAEC
C6 or above
Pre-sessional English
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
Your most recent IELTS score
Pre-sessional English course length
On campus or online
6.5 overall, with no component below 6.5
6 weeks
On campus
6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0
10 weeks
On campus and online options available
6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
12 weeks
On campus and online options available
6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5
20 weeks
On campus
5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0
30 weeks
On campus
5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5
40 weeks
On campus
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.