MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health / Entry requirements

Year of entry: 2025

Academic entry qualification overview

We require you to have:

  • a BSc Psychology degree (minimum Upper Second) or overseas equivalent , which confers Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) status with the British Psychological Society (BPS). If you are unsure whether your degree will give you eligibility for the GBC, you can check whether your degree was accredited for your intake year on the BPS website ;
  • evidence of attaining a minimum of an Upper Second across all BSc research methods taught units and the dissertation;
  • an understanding of the role of the forensic psychologist working in the UK, the applied nature of forensic psychology and why you wish to undertake further study of this field via your personal statement. You must demonstrate all three points in your personal statement to be considered for interview. Please review the guidance under the application tab for more detail on what your application must include.
  • ideally, you might have some relevant voluntary or paid experience involving forensic settings/forensic clients, eg working with offenders/people at risk of offending, victims, or observation of criminal courtroom proceedings. This should be demonstrated via your CV and/or reflected in your understanding of the field in your personal statement.

English language

International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system. We ask for English language proof from applicants from non-majority English speaking countries (a list of majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office, can be found here ).

Specifically, we require a minimum of:

  • IELTS : minimum 7.0 overall including 7.0 in the written section 
  • TOEFL: 100, including 25 in the written section

See further information about requirements for your country .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Other entry requirements

GBC status is achieved by completion of a psychology UG degree that is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

GBC status is necessary to become eligible for full membership of the Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP) within the BPS and subsequent status as a Chartered member of the Society. GBC status is also required as part of the application to register as a forensic psychologist with the HCPC. To graduate from this route, it is therefore important that you provide evidence of your GBC status. You may gain evidence of GBC status by applying to the BPS. Further information can be found on the BPS website