Forensic Mental Health

We are proud to have been awarded an IoPPN Excellence Award in 2018 for student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Education Survey (PTES). Unravel the complex relationship between mental disorders and criminal behaviour. At the same time, develop the skills to establish, manage?and evaluate programmes designed to reduce antisocial behaviour.

You'll have a choice of two pathways: clinical forensic psychology or forensic mental health research. With different entry criteria, you'll need to pick the one that suits your interests and matches your level of experience.

Key benefits:

• Explore the neuroscientific understanding of the development of prosocial and antisocial behaviours across the lifespan
• Learn from a multi-disciplinary team of clinical academics who specialise in a range of forensic mental health areas
• Observe evidence-based practice in secure units, magistrates courts, prisons and more
• Take your first step towards clinical psychology training, a PhD or MD degree with British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited pathways (forensic psychology and clinical forensic psychology)
• Study surrounded by the expertise and facilities of the Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, MRC Social & Genetic Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Maurice Wohl Neuroscience Centre, and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre

Students join this course from a range of backgrounds - you might be a psychologist or psychiatrist, work as nurse or occupational therapist or have a background in criminology. Being part of this multidisciplinary community gives you a real flavour of working in this field.

Applicants should have, or be predicted to achieve, a 2:1 honours degree (minimum) or the equivalent, including an introduction to empirical research, in a relevant subject, e.g. psychology, neuroscience, criminology, psychiatry, mental health nursing or occupational therapy. In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.

MSc

You will be required to choose one of two pathways. This means that the combination of modules chosen will lead to a qualification which reflects your chosen focus of study. There are specific entry criteria for each pathway.

The two pathways are:

• Clinical Forensic Psychology (full-time only)
• Forensic Mental Health Research.

Students on the Clinical Forensic Psychology pathway will undertake a 60-day (minimum) clinical forensic placement working at the level of an assistant clinical psychologist and complete a module on Forensic Psychology Practice.

Students on the Forensic Mental Health Research pathway will complete additional research methods training and can also benefit from a 10-day voluntary clinical observation period in a forensic setting.

Required Modules:

Courses are divided into modules. A total of 180 credits is required for the MSc degree. Part-time students typically achieve 90 credits in each of their two years on the course.

Students select one of the following pathways, which determines their module selection for the course:

Clinical Forensic Psychology:

• Research Dissertation Forensic Mental Health (60 credits)
• Forensic Mental Health Practice in the Criminal Justice System: legal and investigative processes (15 credits)
• Prosocial and antisocial behaviours across the lifespan (15 credits)
• Specialist Forensic Services: assessment, treatment and development (15 credits)
• Research Methodology and Statistics A (15 credits)
• Forensic Psychology Practice in context (Clinical Forensic Psychology pathway only) (60 credits)

Forensic Mental Health Research:

• Research Dissertation Forensic Mental Health (60 credits)
• Forensic Mental Health Practice in the Criminal Justice System: legal and investigative processes (30 credits)
• Prosocial and antisocial behaviours across the lifespan (30 credits)
• Specialist Forensic Services: assessment, treatment and development (30 credits)
• Research Methodology and Statistic A & B (30 credits)

Fees:

• Full time overseas fees:

King's College London is one of the top 10 UK universities in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2018/19) and among the oldest in England.

King's vision is to make the world a better place, building on our history of pioneering research that has advanced and shaped modern life, such as: the discovery of the structure of DNA; research to better understand autism and develop life-changing therapies; informing air pollution awareness and policy; research that led to the development of radio, radar, television and mobile phones; and making maths available to the underprivileged. These are all ways that we are having a transformational impact on society.

Our intellectually rigorous teaching environment is coupled with a commitment to providing a rich and supportive student experience. We have more than 31,000 students (of whom nearly 12,800 are postgraduates, with 1,000 students enrolled in online masters courses) from 150 countries worldwide, meaning that students are part of a truly international community. Our 8,500 members of staff collaborate with students to help them get the most out of their degree. Many of our academics are also researchers working within and influencing their industries, meaning that students learn the latest thinking and understand its practical and contemporary relevance.

King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas'​, King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services.