School: School of Sciences and Engineering

MSc Forensic Psychology

Academic year

2022-2023
Taught Language: English

Course Summary

The MSc Forensic Psychology is a unique programme designed to prepare students for numerous diverse or specific careers within the general context of the Criminal Justice System. The programme is built around the fundamental theoretical, methodological and applied areas of Forensic Psychology.

In terms of the programme philosophy, the MSc Forensic Psychology reflects the academic skills underpinning the application of psychology to a forensic setting. It provides a strong emphasis on the application of Forensic Psychology in professional practice and how theoretical concepts are applied. Furthermore, the programme attends to victims and offenders. With regard to the latter, it follows the progression of an offender from their first contact with the criminal justice system until their eventual release into the community and/or transfer to conditions of less security. Attention is given to the victim and pre-trial issues (including civil justice). The role of on-going assessment, intervention and through-care are emphasised throughout the curriculum.

To foster professional growth, the programme places a strong emphasis upon developing professional report writing and presentation skills, methodological rigour, research expertise, independent learning and critical thinking. To facilitate this, students will be exposed to a learning and research environment that is rich in mentoring opportunities from members of the programme team with academic and/or practical forensic experience.

Within the programme, students have the option to take the practical experience module, which includes 1000 hours of supervised practical training.

Career Prospects

The course covers a range of forensic psychology topics and allows candidates to strengthen the knowledge and skills that are essential for becoming Certified Forensic Psychologists. The course has been specifically designed to reflect the academic skills required to apply psychology to a forensic setting, including universities, prisons, secure hospitals, probation, police services and the courts.

Overall, the course can prepare students for numerous diverse or specific careers in the public as well as the private sector. It provides graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue careers within the general context of the Criminal Justice System. Students who complete the practical experience module (1000 hours of supervised training) will be able to become registered Forensic Psychologists and practise the profession in Cyprus.

Modules

Compulsory
• Advanced Methods in Psychology
• Advanced Forensic Psychology Project
• Psychology and the Legal System
• Personal Attributes of Offenders and Victims
• Professional Practice: Forensic Consultancy and Supervision
• Forensic Risk Assessment
• Psychology, Investigation and the Courtroom
• Violent and Sexual Offenders: Intervention
• Forensic Mental Health

Optional
• Practical Experience

The 2nd year of the MSc Forensic Psychology consists of a multi component module which includes a series of practical workshops designed to enrich the trainees’ practical assessment and treatment skills. An indicative list of seminars is provided below:

  • Assessment skills
  • Forensic assessment interview
  • Professional issues (ethics in correctional facilities, confidentiality, conflict of interest, treatment refusal)
  • Core counselling skills
  • Assessment & diagnosis
  • Introduction to person-centred counselling
  • Formulation practice
  • Group processes
  • Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • Introduction to trauma-focused CBT
  • Introduction to play therapy for children that faced trauma
  • Anger management interventions for offenders
  • Problem solving interventions
  • Introduction to Contextual Behaviour Science
  • Introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  • Psychometric Testing and use of Projective Tests
  • Substance misuse treatment in forensic settings
  • Legislation awareness/ being an expert witness/ working as a forensic psychologist in criminal cases
  • Psychopharmacology in forensic settings
  • Child custody assessments
  • Competency to stand trial
  • Malingering
  • Suicidality in forensic mental health and prison setting
  • Special population (i.e. female offenders, minors etc.)
  • Substance and prison
  • Civil Law

In addition, the practical experience module provides trainees with the opportunity to have internships in a number of organisations, including weekly individual and group supervision.

Assessment Method

-

How to apply

STEP 1.

Complete the University of Central Lancashire application form. The form is also available here.

STEP 2.

Provide copies of your High School leaving certificate and other supporting documents (in native language & in English).
Undergraduate Applicants 
– School leaving certificate & mark sheet
– English language qualification (IELTS or IGCSE or any other equivalent)
– ID card or passport copy

Postgraduate Applicants 
– Bachelor degree & transcripts
– School leaving certificate & mark sheet
– English language qualification (IELTS or IGCSE or any other equivalent)
– Personal statement
– Curriculum Vitae (CV)
– Two reference letters
– ID card or passport copy

STEP 3.

Payment of €50 application fee (non-refundable).

 

The above documents may be submitted electronically via email to your University advisor or to admissions@uclancyprus.ac.cy.

 

METHODS OF PAYMENT
All payments should be made in Euros (€), to the University’s bank account or via electronic payment:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHEN MAKING A PAYMENT
> Provide your full name (student name)
> A copy of the bank transaction slip should be sent to: accounting@uclancyprus.ac.cy and admissions@uclancyprus.ac.cy

1. Bank Transfer

Bank: HELLENIC BANK
Account name: UCLan Cyprus
Account number: 314-10-868795-01
IBAN: CY86 0050 0314 0003 1410 8687 9501
SWIFT/BIC: HEBACY2N

2. Electronic Payment
JCC Smart
https://www.jccsmart.com/e-bill/22447015

NOTES:
1. In case you still do not have your School leaving certificate (for Undergraduates) or your Bachelor degree (for Postgraduates) you can provide the latest mark sheet you have and a conditional offer letter will be issued to secure your place at the University of Central Lancashire Cyprus.

2. In case you do not have an accredited English language qualification, we offer our recognised English language Admissions test. We also offer Intensive English Language courses which quickly enhance your English level. Please see more information here.

3. Students whose native language is English or have completed their High School education in English need to provide appropriate evidence.

Once the University has received all the above required documents via email along with the application fee, the UCLan Cyprus Admissions Department will proceed with an official evaluation and if the application is successful, will issue a Conditional/Unconditional Offer Letter stating the terms & conditions of your admission for the programme you are applying for.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT – VISA MATTERS

International students, who require a visa to enter Cyprus, upon acceptance of their offer letter must submit directly to the University all necessary requested documentation within the deadlines that will be provided. The University of Central Lancashire Cyprus Admissions Department will submit the Visa Application on their behalf and guide them further on the visa application process.

For more information regarding the visa process, click here or contact the Admissions Officers at admissions@uclancyprus.ac.cy or at +357 24 69 40 00 for further instructions and assistance on completing your visa application form.

Application deadline

The calendar is arranged so that students may start classes either during the last week of September or the first week of February. Candidates may submit an application for admission in any of the semesters. Due to the fact that formalities for the issue of an entry visa take at least 6 weeks, candidates are urged to file an application at least 8 weeks prior to the expected date of enrolment. Students are expected to be on campus prior to the beginning of the intended semester/session. In response to arising need, courses could be provided within the summer period.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Bachelor degree or equivalent (at least Lower Second Class).

> Proof of English Language knowledge of IELTS 6.5 level and above, or any other equivalent.

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Students who do not meet the above minimum entry criteria are subject to an interview from the Head of School of the program of study they are applying for.

2. Students who do not have any official English language qualification, can take the University’s English entrance exam.

Additional entry requirements

English language requirements

Proof of English Language knowledge of IELTS 6.5 level and above, or any other equivalent.

Fees and funding

Application Fees

POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
€8,925 for the entire programme (90 ECTS) from the original fee of €10,500 after the discount of €1,575 UCLan Cyprus Bursary.
With the following exemptions:

Additional Fee information

STUDENTS FEES UNTIL REGISTRATION: 

1. Application Fee: €50 > Applicable both to Locals/EU and International Students. Non-Refundable. The Head of Admissions can approve waiving of the application fee for certain cases.

2. Visa Application Fee: €140 > Applicable to those that will apply for a visa. Non-Refundable.

3. Deposit/Registration fee: (a) €1200 > for Locals/EU, (b) €5000 > for non-EU.

4. Student Pass: €60 for both UG and PG students (except DL students). For UG students this is payable every year of their study. This fee is payable upon the payment of the deposit.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS VISA RENEWAL FEES TO OTHER AUTHORITIES: 

For the renewal of the entry permit and the issuance of the Temporary Residence Permit (Pink Slip), the following charges apply and are payable to other Authorities/Organisations such as Government, Medical Centres, etc:

1. Pink Slip application fee: €35

2. Alien book fee: €70

3. Medical Insurance: €130

4. Medical tests (blood tests & x-ray): €60

Other Fees:

a. International Commercial Mediation Module under LLM programmes: €300 per student. This will be added as a note in the Offer Letters of the LLM students.

b. Graduation Fee: A €50 graduation fee is payable by every graduand participating in the graduation ceremony.

c. Retake of a Module: €600 for every module that needs to be retaken.

d. APL Module Evaluation Fee: After the start of Academic Year, €100 per module evaluation request, regardless of the decision. (non-refundable)

e. APEL Module: The module which is APELed is charged with 25% of the tuition fee of the module.

f.  Official Transcript: Additional official copy requested = €5 per set. Certified Copy of Degree: €10 per set.

g. Distance Learning Exams Fee: The University will indicate the nearest exam centre to your location or at the University campus. In case you will need to be accommodated to an exam centre/location not in the University’s list a Fee per Exam might be charged.

Provider information

Main Contact

12 – 14 University Avenue Pyla

Contact Person: UCLan

Phone: +35724694000