MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health / Application and selection

Year of entry: 2024

How to apply

"Because the cohort is so small, you can build a pretty close bond within the first couple of weeks - we certainly have!

This makes for a great atmosphere in lectures and means you're not hesitant to share your ideas."

Myles Chadwick / Student

Please apply via our online application form . See the Application and selection section for details of the supporting documents that we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We process applications as soon as we receive them. The formal deadline is the end of July. We reserve the right to close applications earlier if the course is full.

Advice to applicants

Your application must include the following documents, please ensure the content of your application covers all the outlined criteria below as progression to interview is dependent on these aspects:

  • Evidence of attaining a minimum Upper Second in BSc Psychology.
  • Evidence of attaining a minimum Upper Second in all BSc research taught units and dissertation (e.g. copies of official degree certificates with translations if not in English).
  • Two academic references on letter headed paper or sent from work emails. Professional references can be provided in instances where you have been out of university for more than 3 years. We do not contact referees directly so please inform them yourself.
  • A personal statement. This should be a page in length and must demonstrate your understanding of the role of the Forensic Psychologist, your understanding of the applied nature of Forensic Psychology and why you want to undertake further study of Forensic Psychology. Please ensure you include all three elements as progression to interview is dependent on understanding of all three elements being shown.
  • A 500 word (maximum [excluding references]) research proposal suitable to undertake for an MSc dissertation project. This should include: a summary of relevant background research; aims and research questions; proposed methodology; proposed analysis. Please ensure you include all elements as this is required. Your proposal is assessed as to whether you design a feasible MSc level research project; whether the study examines a forensic psychological mechanism or topic; whether the study design is appropriate to test the aims and questions; and, whether the study is ethical in nature.
  • Full CV including relevant voluntary and paid work experience.
  • A scanned copy of your passport.
  • proof of English language proficiency (if required).

This is a very competitive course, so it's important to put a lot of effort into your personal statement and your research proposal.

Supporting documents can be uploaded with the online application form, or emailed to pgt.mentalhealth@manchester.ac.uk . We are unable to consider your application if you have not provided all of the necessary documents listed above.

Please make sure you include your University ID number on any correspondence and do not send any documents before you have submitted your application.

How your application is considered

Offers are made on the basis of application and interview. 

You must be able to demonstrate prior knowledge and understanding of the role of the forensic psychologist and psychological research skills as part of the application form/selection and interview process.

Skills, knowledge, abilities, interests

All applicants will be expected to have basic IT skills, familiarity with the internet and access to a PC and/or laptop.

Interview requirements

If your application is considered, you will attend a 30-minute interview. You will be required to present your research proposal, which you submitted with your application, as a ten-minute presentation. 

The interview will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions about the course and the University.

Interview dates for the September intake will be held monthly throughout the year, either face-to-face or online.

Applications will be considered up until July for a September start. However, as we consider applications on a first come, first served basis, it is likely that the course will be full by March/April.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

Self-funded international applicants will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

Please upload a copy of your current valid passport with your application showing the photograph page with your application. For CAS purposes, this must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until - which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.

You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course. This means that if you intend to begin a course on 19 September 2019, we will not issue you with a CAS number before 19 June 2019.

Your CAS number is only valid for one Tier 4 application.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved.

We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.