Forensic Mental Health Research

Forensic Mental Health Research is for psychiatrists or graduates in psychology, neuroscience, mental health nursing or similar disciplines. Develops necessary skills for scientific work on aetiology and effective treatment of mentally disordered offenders. Exceptional opportunities for research training with teaching from a distinguished multidisciplinary team. Ideal step towards a PhD.

• Exceptional opportunities for clinical and research training with teaching from a distinguished multidisciplinary team.
• Strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and developing the critical skills to evaluate new research.
• Students come from a stimulating range of professional and academic disciplines.  

Student destinations Programme leader/s Awarding Institution Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent) Duration Location Year of entry 2013
Offered by Closing date Intake Fees Contact information Email Website

Designed for individuals with degrees in health related disciplines (e.g. medicine, psychology, neuroscience, mental health nursing). Aims to develop students’ analytical and research skills so they can pursue scientific work on the aetiology and effective treatment of mentally disordered offenders. We expect this MSc to provide an ideal first step towards a PhD.

The programme aims to provide students with the knowledge and advanced skills necessary to conduct research that will contribute to the identification of the causes of antisocial behaviour among persons with mental disorders, to the development of effective treatments for reducing antisocial and/or criminal behaviours and to the development of programmes to prevent these behaviours in children and adolescents at risk for mental disorders.



Core programme content

• Associations between mental disorders and antisocial and criminal behaviours
• Research Methodology & Statistics
• Dissertation.

Indicative non-core content
Optional modules (subject to availability).

30 credit modules, open to all students:

• Risk management, treatment and services for mentally disordered persons
• Mental Health Law
• Criminal Justice Mental Health
• Developmental disorders.

30 credit module, open to suitably qualified and experienced clinicians only:

• Structured Professional Risk Assessment and Management.

15 credit modules, open to all students:

• Psychology of the Legal & Investigative Process
• Introduction to Forensic Psychology Practice.

Assessment is by essays, a written examination, critical appraisal, poster presentation and a dissertation.


General entry advice

Applications from non-EU students: we aim to process these as soon as possible after receipt. of all information required.

Applications from EU students: some offers will be made in the spring and summer; remaining places will be offered in early July. Applicants may be telephoned, or invited for an informal interview, to explore points arising from the application, and also to ensure that applicants have a clear picture of what would be involved in taking this programme.

No application can be considered until full details of academic and (where relevant) employment history are received, including transcripts. We require two academic references. It is essential for applicants to ensure that they will have adequate time available to attend teaching and undertake the considerable amount of private study required to complete the programme successfully. Applicants will be asked to confirm this before places can be offered.

We expect applicants to provide us with sufficient information in the sections on education, employment details and personal statement to provide us with evidence that they have the necessary experience and academic background to cope with this very demanding programme.

Most applicants are self-funded. Some overseas applicants have been successful in obtaining government funding or international scholarships. Part-time applicants are sometimes able to secure full or partial funding from employers using CPD budgets.