forensic psychology personal statement undergraduate

Guidance from our top admission experts — for free!

• Admit Finder

Discover Past Admits, Gauge Your Chances!

• Shortlist Builder

Personalized University Picks, Just a Click Away.

• Course Finder

Navigate Global Courses Tailored for You

• Scholarship Finder

Unlock Funding Opportunities Worldwide.

Mastering Your Forensic Psychology Personal Statement: A Comprehensive Guide

• Forensic Psychology Personal Statement: The Key to Unlocking Your Career

Embarking on a career in forensic psychology starts with the creation of a powerful personal statement. This document is not just a formality; it’s a critical part of your application that showcases your passion, qualifications, and uniqueness.

Whether you’re applying for a bachelor’s or a master’s program in forensic psychology, crafting an impactful personal statement can significantly influence your career trajectory.

• Understanding the Essence of a Forensic Psychology Personal Statement

Personal statement importance

A forensic psychology personal statement is more than just an academic summary. It is a narrative that intertwines your personal journey with your professional aspirations.

This statement should capture your deep-rooted interest in psychology, your understanding of criminology, and your eagerness to engage with the criminal justice system. It’s your opportunity to demonstrate how your experiences, both academic and personal, have prepared you for a career as a forensic psychologist.

Content considerations

When writing your personal statement, focus on specific experiences that have shaped your understanding and passion for forensic psychology. Discuss courses that have had a significant impact on you, like criminal psychology or clinical psychology.

Reflect on any research projects, internships, or volunteer work that have provided you with valuable insights into human behavior and the workings of the legal system.

Your statement should also highlight your problem-solving skills, your ability to analyze complex situations, and your commitment to understanding the criminal mind.

• Crafting a Compelling Narrative: Personal Statement Examples

Utilizing examples

Analyzing forensic psychology personal statement examples can be extremely beneficial. These examples serve as blueprints, showing you how to effectively structure your narrative and what key elements to include. Notice how successful statements balance academic achievements with personal experiences, demonstrating a well-rounded profile.

Personal anecdotes

Start Your University Applications with Ambitio Pro!

Get Ambitio Pro!

Begin your journey to top universities with Ambitio Pro. Our premium platform offers you the tools and support needed to craft standout applications.

Unlock Advanced Features for a More Comprehensive Application Experience!

Start your Journey today

Your personal experiences are what make your statement unique. Share stories that sparked your interest in forensic psychology. Perhaps you were inspired by a particular event, a book, or a lecture that opened your eyes to the complexities of the criminal mind. Use these anecdotes to convey your passion for the field and to illustrate how your interest has evolved over time.

• Merging Criminology and Psychology in Your Forensic Psychology Statement

Interdisciplinary focus

Forensic psychology sits at the intersection of psychology and criminology. Your statement should reflect a thorough understanding of both disciplines. Discuss how psychological theories apply to criminal behavior, how mental health issues intersect with the legal system, and how your studies have prepared you for the multifaceted challenges of this field.

Relevant coursework and experiences

Elaborate on any courses related to criminology and psychology that you have taken. Highlight any practical experiences, such as internships with law enforcement agencies or volunteer work in correctional facilities, that have given you firsthand insights into the field. Explain how these experiences have solidified your decision to pursue a career in forensic psychology.

• Tailoring Your Statement for a Forensic Psychology Masters Program

When applying for a master’s program in forensic psychology, your personal statement needs to demonstrate a higher level of academic and professional understanding compared to undergraduate applications.

This is your opportunity to showcase not just your passion and interest in the field, but also your readiness for advanced study and research. Here are some key areas to focus on:

1. Advanced Academic Foundation:

• Highlight Undergraduate Achievements: Discuss your undergraduate coursework, especially any advanced or specialized classes in psychology, criminology, or related fields. Mention how these courses have laid a solid foundation for your postgraduate studies.
• Research Projects: If you’ve participated in any research projects, particularly those related to forensic psychology, describe your role and what you learned. This could include literature reviews, data collection, analysis, or presenting findings at conferences or seminars.
• Thesis or Capstone Projects: If your undergraduate program included a thesis or capstone project, briefly outline your topic, your research methodology, and your conclusions. Explain how this project has prepared you for more advanced research in a master’s program.

2. Professional Exposure and Experience:

• Internships and Work Experience: Detail any relevant internships or work experiences, especially those in settings such as legal departments, correctional facilities, law enforcement agencies, or mental health institutions. Describe your responsibilities and any insights or skills you gained.
• Volunteering and Community Involvement: If you have volunteered in roles relevant to forensic psychology, such as aiding at-risk populations or working with justice-involved individuals, discuss these experiences. Highlight how they have enhanced your understanding of the field.

3. Academic and Career Objectives:

• Master’s Degree Goals: Clearly articulate why you are pursuing a master’s in forensic psychology. Link your academic interests with potential thesis topics or areas of specialization you wish to explore.
• Career Aspirations: Discuss your long-term career goals. Whether you aim to work in criminal profiling, provide expert witness testimony, or engage in policy development, explain how a master’s degree will facilitate these ambitions.

4. Personal Development and Skills:

• Critical Thinking and Analysis: Emphasize skills such as critical thinking and analytical abilities. Provide examples of how you have applied these skills in academic or professional settings.
• Communication Skills: Highlight your communication skills, both written and oral. Master’s programs often require presentations and extensive writing; show that you are prepared for this aspect of the program.
• Ethical Understanding: Forensic psychology often deals with sensitive issues. Discuss your understanding of ethical considerations in research and practice.

5. Alignment with the Program’s Offerings:

• Research Interests and Faculty Alignment: If there are specific faculty members whose research interests align with yours, mention them. Explain why their work excites you and how you could contribute to their research.
• Program-Specific Features: Identify unique features of the master’s program you’re applying to, such as specific courses, training opportunities, or the program’s philosophy. Explain how these aspects align with your academic and career goals.

6. Reflection and Personal Growth:

• Challenges and Learnings: Reflect on any challenges you’ve faced during your academic journey and how they’ve prepared you for graduate studies. This could include balancing work and study, overcoming academic hurdles, or personal growth experiences.

7. Conclusion:

• Reiterate Your Passion and Preparedness: In your concluding paragraphs, reassert your passion for forensic psychology and your preparedness for the challenges of a master’s program. Emphasize your commitment to contributing to the field and advancing your understanding and skills through graduate studies.
• The Role of a Forensic Psychologist: Articulating Your Understanding and Aspirations

Understanding the role

It’s crucial to demonstrate an understanding of what a forensic psychologist does. Discuss the various roles, such as providing expert testimony in court, working with law enforcement agencies, or participating in criminal profiling. Show that you understand both the challenges and the responsibilities that come with this career.

Personal Alignment

Explain why you are drawn to these roles and how your skills, experiences, and personal qualities align with the demands of the profession. Perhaps your ability to remain unbiased, your excellent communication skills, or your keen interest in human behavior make you a good fit for this career. Use specific examples to illustrate these points.

Highlighting Your Unique Journey: Personal Experiences and Motivations

Sharing your story.

Your unique experiences and personal motivations are what set you apart from other applicants. Share stories that demonstrate your long-standing interest in forensic psychology. Maybe you have a personal connection to the field, or maybe you’ve overcome challenges that have strengthened your commitment to pursuing this career.

Connecting personal and professional

It’s important to connect your personal journey to your professional aspirations. Show how your experiences have shaped not only your interest in forensic psychology but also your suitability for a career in this field. Discuss any relevant skills or qualities you’ve developed as a result of your experiences, such as empathy, resilience, or critical thinking.

What should I include in my forensic psychology personal statement?

Focus on your interest in psychology and criminology, understanding of the role of a forensic psychologist, relevant experiences, and career aspirations.

How long should my personal statement be?

Aim for 500-1000 words, but always adhere to the specific guidelines of the program you’re applying to.

Can I include personal experiences in my statement?

Yes, personal experiences that have shaped your interest in forensic psychology are valuable.

How important is my personal statement in the application process?

It’s crucial as it’s your chance to showcase your uniqueness beyond grades and test scores.

Should I mention specific psychology courses in my statement?

Yes, mentioning specific relevant courses can highlight your academic preparedness for the program.

Spread the Word!

Share across your social media if you found it helpful

Table of Contents

• • Forensic Psychology Personal Statement: The Key to Unlocking Your Career
• • Understanding the Essence of a Forensic Psychology Personal Statement
• • Crafting a Compelling Narrative: Personal Statement Examples
• • Merging Criminology and Psychology in Your Forensic Psychology Statement
• • Tailoring Your Statement for a Forensic Psychology Masters Program
• • The Role of a Forensic Psychologist: Articulating Your Understanding and Aspirations

Recent Blogs

How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Early Childhood Education

Crafting Your Economics Personal Statement: Expert Tips from the Student Room with a Focus on Cambridge and LSE

Understanding the Difference Between a Motivation Letter and Personal Statement

Let us make sure you get into the best.

Phone Number

eg. Fall 2024

• 2024 Winter
• 2024 Spring
• 2024 Summer

Enter verification code

Code was sent to

Resend OTP (30s)

• Our Experts

Connect with us on our social media

• Personal Statements
• Forensic Science Personal Statement

Forensic Science Personal Statement Example

Sample statement.

I have always been interested in science-based subjects and how they can be put to practical use in our daily lives. I also have a strong interest in crime related television programmes and real life crime cases. It is for this reason that I wish to undertake the formal study of Forensic Science.

One of the areas that I am most interested in is how genetic fingerprinting is used to identify suspects in criminal cases. I look forward to gaining further knowledge in this area and getting the chance to develop my laboratory skills and being part of a team working to solve a crime.

Not only am I interested in the biological aspect of crime solving but I am also fascinated by the workings of the human mind and what drives people to commit crimes. With this in mind I studied Psychology and Sociology at college so that I could better understand the criminal psyche.

During my time at school I held a number of responsible roles including being Head Girl, Chair of the Young Enterprise scheme, and Leader of the Student Parliament. As well as teaching me to communicate effectively I also developed teamwork skills, problem solving abilities, and learnt to use my initiative when faced with a new challenge.

Outside of school I volunteer for my local hospital radio station which involves hosting an evening radio show, taking phone calls from listeners, and collecting song requests from hospital patients.

I also enjoy reading factual books around the subject of Forensic Science and criminal psychology including ‘Fundamentals of Forensic Science’ by Academic Press and Dennis Howitt’s ‘Forensic and Criminal Psychology’.

I hope that by studying Forensic Science to the highest level will enable me to achieve the qualifications and skills I need to gain an entry level role as a laboratory assistant.

After this I hope to work my way up the career ladder and be part of a team solving crimes and helping to bring criminals to justice. I am also considering the possibility of undertaking a MSc after completing my undergraduate degree.

University Guides

• Accommodation
• + much more!

Sign up for news & advice about applying to uni

• Universities
• Fees & Finance
• For Parents
• International Students
• Terms and Conditions

• Oxbridge Law 24/25 Entry
• Non-Oxbridge Law 24/25 Entry
• Oxford PPE 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Economics 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Modern Languages 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Land Economy 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Psychology 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge English 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Human Sciences 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge History 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Geography 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Philosophy 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Classics 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Architecture 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge HSPS Programme 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Medicine 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Biomedical Sciences 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Engineering 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Natural Science 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Maths 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Computer Science 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Physics 24/25 Entry
• Oxford PPL 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Veterinary Science 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Chemistry 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Biology 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Biochemistry 24/25 Entry
• Non-Oxbridge Medicine 24/25 Entry
• Non-Oxbridge Dentistry 24/25 Entry
• IMAT Medicine 24/25 Entry
• Can’t Find Your Subject?
• Law Interview Programme
• PPE Interview Programme
• Economics Interview Programme
• Oxbridge Medicine Interview Programme
• Natural Science Interview Programme
• Engineering Interview Programme
• Maths Interview Programme
• Dentistry Interview Programme
• Medicine MMI Interview Programme
• Our Guarantee

Our Students

Student Success Stories

• University Access Scheme
• New Tutor Application Form
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Free Expert Consultation

Enrolment fees for all UniAdmissions Oxbridge Programmes will increase on the 1st April 2024.

• +44 (0) 208 068 0438
• [email protected]

SCIENCE PROGRAMMES (25/26 ENTRY)

HUMANITIES PROGRAMMES (25/26 ENTRY)

GET STARTED

Can't find your subject?

OXFORD TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)

CAMBRIDGE TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)

MEDICINE TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)

View Our Free admissions guides & resources

How UniAdmissions Cracked The Oxbridge Formula

Applying for Oxbridge is an opportunity seldom approached correctly. So how do you enter the top 16% of a strong cohort of applicants that get an offer? Discover how UniAdmissions get 2/3 of our students in.

When Do 2024 Medicine Offers Come Out?

When do UK Medical School Interviews start and when do they release their final offers to applicants? Find out all the dates for 2024 medical school admissions in this helpful guide.

Inside The UniAdmissions Portal: The UA Advantage

UniAdmissions students have access to the world's first dedicated Oxbridge admissions preparation platform, and this guide will help you discover exactly how the Portal will help you get your offer.

Discover all guides

ABOUT UNIADMISSIONS

Learn about who the world's first Oxbridge prep school are.

Learn about the Portal; the heart of our Programmes.

UniAdmissions' Foundation

The Foundation is our charitable arm to support disadvantaged students.

Students & Tutors

Discover who a UniAdmissions student is and our admissions criteria.

Learn about our high-performing Oxbridge tutors.

We're proud of our alumni. Read about their journey with UniAdmissions here.

Admissions Resources

Free Admissions Guides

Visit our Learning Centre and read our in-depth free guides.

We are the world's biggest Oxbridge application publisher. Learn more here.

Teachers Learning Hub

Learn about how to help your students get their place at Oxbridge.

Get Started

• Access Student Portal
• Oxbridge Programmes
• Open Day Webinar
• Tutor Application Form
• Common Questions
• Download Our Prospectus
• Book Consultation

Successful Personal Statement For Psychology At Oxford

Last Updated: 6th April 2022

Author: Rob Needleman

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through a Psychology applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Psychology Course at Oxford is a scientific discipline, involving the rigorous formulation and testing of ideas. It works through experiments and systematic observation rather than introspection.

Read on to see how this candidate demonstrates their academic interests and initiative.   

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement (the applicant uses most of the 4,000 characters available):

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxbridge Psychology comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts. 

With our  Oxbridge Psychology Premium Programme, your tutor will give you regular actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.  

Discover our Premium Programmes today to learn how you can enrol and triple your chances of success.  

Psychology Personal Statement

How does the mind work? The mind is a mystery housed within the most complex mechanism known to man: the human brain. My innate curiosity compels me to find out more about such a mystery through the study of Psychology.

I have long been interested in how our minds differ: for example, why have I always been a strong mathematician while my brother finds it challenging? Being a musician, I found Kathryn Vaughn’s research supporting a correlation between musical and mathematical abilities particularly thought provoking, while I have also wondered whether my childhood obsession with jigsaws helped me develop problem-solving skills, which are particularly relevant in Geometry: the area with the biggest rift in our abilities. Ann Dowker’s argument, in ‘Individual Differences’, that educational methods influence such differences was also particularly compelling. Therefore, in my gap year, whilst helping struggling learners in KS3 Mathematics at a local school, and, when I help educate children in Tanzania as an International Citizen Service volunteer with the VSO charity, I will evaluate the success of different educational methods. This will give me experience of carrying out my own research, and, will develop skills such as empathy, which is important in the more sensitive areas of Psychology. Furthermore, I recently assisted a University of Oxford researcher conducting follow-up assessments with children in local primary schools. These measured reading-age, language comprehension and numeracy level, and are used to gauge and refine the Catch-Up charity’s numeracy intervention programme. As some of the children being assessed were from a control group, my involvement also enlightened me to ethical aspects of research.

Differences that occur in the criminal mind are also of great interest to me. As an elected Student Ambassador for the Holocaust Educational Trust, I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau earlier this year, where I learnt about Rudolf Hoess. Hoess exterminated thousands of families, yet lived with his own family just outside the camp. This ignited an interest in complex behaviour; therefore I read Stanley Milgram’s research into whether ‘the Germans are different’, and learnt about his Theory of Obedience. This developed an interest in Forensic Psychology, and I subsequently attended a Forensics course at Nottingham University, where I learnt about a Forensic Psychologist’s role, during Mental Health tribunals, for example.

Deterioration of the mind, and methods to counteract this, also interest me. Reading the Psychologist has given me an insight into how the effectiveness of such methods could be analysed using a high-resolution 3D brain atlas; while a presentation from Claire Rytina enlightened me to useful cognitive treatment designed to rebuild and retrieve memory following her Viral Encephalitis. I have also voluntarily worked at a Nursing Home with some Dementia sufferers, and noticed that many sufferers enjoyed me playing music from their past, and sometimes, this triggered some of their memories. This made me wonder whether the music stimulated neurones which had lain dormant for years, similarly to when neurones are used for the first time, as Hubel and Weisel’s nature/nurture research has shown. Studying this in A level Biology gave me an interest in neuroscience, while Biology also stressed the importance of controls and fair tests, which are invaluable during Psychology experiments too. My mathematical skills in statistics will also be beneficial when analysing empirical evidence; and, the deep level of analysis and evaluation used for varying sources in A level History will be useful when studying case studies, while my essay techniques will help me when writing reports, and when considering issues from different perspectives.

Overall, I feel that my broad interests and skills will enable me to thrive as a Psychology student at a demanding University, where I would also make a positive contribution to University life.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

Successful Personal Statement For Natural Science (Physical) At Cambridge

Successful personal statement for economics at cambridge, successful personal statement for land economy at cambridge, successful personal statement for chemistry at oxford, successful personal statement for geography at oxford, successful personal statement for classics at oxford, successful personal statement for law at oxford, successful personal statement for classics at cambridge, successful personal statement for engineering at cambridge, successful personal statement for philosophy at cambridge, successful personal statement for veterinary medicine at cambridge, successful personal statement for psychological and behavioural sciences at cambridge, successful personal statement for history at oxford, successful personal statement for physics at oxford, successful personal statement for cambridge mathematics and physics, successful personal statement example for computer science at oxford, successful personal statement for english at cambridge, successful personal statement for oxford english language and literature, successful personal statement for medicine at oxford university, successful personal statement for modern languages at oxford, successful personal statement for engineering at oxford, successful personal statement for natural sciences (biological) at cambridge, successful personal statement for economics & management at oxford, successful personal statement for ppe at oxford, successful personal statement for law at cambridge, successful personal statement for dentistry at king’s college london, successful personal statement for medicine at cambridge.

Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide 

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This statement is powered by a broad range of academic interests — all of which the candidate has explored to a deep and commendable level. They are able to articulate how these interests came about, why they are important and how they intersect. In so doing, the candidate clearly demonstrates their ability to think independently, undertake independent projects and foster a wide-ranging curiosity. Furthermore, they clearly illustrate how their academic interests have had a bearing on their actions outside of the classroom; activities that require a substantial amount of initiative and endeavour.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

While the consideration of a range of different areas of psychology is illustrative of a consistently curious individual, this statement would have benefited from greater cohesion as an overall piece. The candidate could have also found a less rhetorical way of opening their statement; their tone at this point is not a mode of speech that they return to elsewhere, and as such, it seems somewhat like a non-sequitur. Their prose thereafter is much more engaging, and it seems unfulfilling and irrelevant to include such mystifying text at the start.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This candidate maturely presents their academic interests and particular areas of personal pursuit. As a result of this, they are able to demonstrate moments at which they have taken impressive amounts of initiative, and have really gone out of their way in order to experience their academic interests outside of the classroom. They are thereby able to fashion themselves as a curious, energetic, academic individual, who is able to think independently and develop their own work. There are potential areas for stylistic improvement within the statement, but they do not hinder the overall impression given of a capable and committed candidate.

This Personal Statement for Psychology is a great example of demonstrating academic interest and initiative. The candidate’s interest and passion are clearly shown which is vital to Admissions Tutors.

Remember, at Oxford, these Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Go to our Free Personal Statement Resources page for even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Oxford Psychology application.

With our  Oxbridge Psychology Premium Programme, we help you craft the perfect Personal   Statement , score highly on the TSA and teach you how to  Interview effectively .

Discover our Premium Programmes by clicking the button below to enrol and triple your chances of success.

UniAdmissions students placed at Oxford And Cambridge

Keep on learning

5 study secrets from actual oxbridge students.

We reached out to some successful Oxbridge students to find out exactly what their study secrets are. Here's what we…

AI Writing & UCAS Personal Statements: What You Need To Know

When it comes to writing in the 2020s, AI-Generation has become one of the most important issues for many industries,…

G5 University Applications: Your Essential Starter Guide

When researching UK university applications, you will likely have heard of Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge Universities), but you may also…

Developing The UniAdmissions Portal

For over a decade, UniAdmissions has worked to innovate preparation support for Oxbridge admissions support. Starting from preparation materials for…

The UniAdmissions Advantage: Inside The UniAdmissions Portal

If you're looking for the most effective way to prepare for your Oxbridge application, the UniAdmissions Portal is the answer.…

Cambridge Announces the ESAT to replace the NSAA and ENGAA

In 2023, it was announced by the University of Cambridge that many of their established admissions tests would stop being…

The Secrets to Oxbridge Admission.

• We cracked the Oxbridge formula . Find out what we discovered here.
• Looking for application support? Don't work with a random tutor. This is what you need to know first.
• Get up-to-date Oxbridge advice with our webinars. Follow our Open Days led by our experts and stay updated.
• Begin your Oxbridge journey with UniAdmissions through our programmes of support by clicking here.

Personal Statement Starter Guide

We have developed an 80-page E-Book filled with expert Personal Statement Advice. Inside, you’ll find guides on planning and writing your personal statement, as well as our full collection of 25+ Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements.

Get it directly to your inbox by registering your email.

How would you like to speak to an Admissions Consultant?

Example Personal Statement: Psychology

We analyse a student's personal statement.

This student applied to study Psychology and Criminology at Southampton, Royal Holloway and Swansea, as well as Psychology at Liverpool and Oxford Brookes. They received offers from all five of their universities.

Here we break their personal statement down into parts, analysing each section so you can learn from their experience.

I became interested in the relationship between human behaviour and the brain after a member of my family was diagnosed with dementia. Having noticed the relationships between the deteriorating condition and abnormal behaviour, I began to question how the brain affects memory and behaviour. My growing interest in the link between the biology of a person and their behaviour was what originally drove me to study Psychology A-Level. Studying Psychology at university will allow me to develop my research and problem solving skills as well as my interest in the mind and behaviour. 

You should outline your interest in the subject without relying on one specific ‘lightbulb’ moment - in this example, the student has identified an initial interest and mentioned how they expanded on it to make their decision to study Psychology at university.

Careful not to make your response too emotive - mentioning poor health in your family as a stimulus for your interest is fine providing you keep your writing academic rather than emotional. If it’s too difficult to write about, choose a different driver.

One of the topics I found most interesting during my A-Level course was Psychopathology. This topic led me to research the inner workings of the atypical mind, particularly the mind of a criminal in Psychopath Whisperer by Kent Kiehl. The most engaging aspect of the book was a case study into a repeat offending paedophile. Despite all rehabilitation efforts failing, further investigation found a large tumour in his frontal lobe which, when removed, stopped all deviant behaviours. I find the relationship between psychology and criminology fascinating and looked into this further starting with Jim Fallon’s TED Talk ‘Exploring the mind of a killer’ where I learnt about the thought processes behind the crime, why criminals commit a crime, and whether they have free will. I used this research to help develop my understanding of my module on abnormal behaviour and would like to study this further.

Point out something specific you have studied that interests you, but avoid writing ‘I am passionate about…’. Evidence your interests by writing about ways you’ve explored your subject independently. Exploring things you find interesting without being told to by a teacher demonstrates your natural curiosity in the subject, and will give you the scope to write about your interest in topics that will be on your future courses. 

Studying both Biology and Chemistry has helped me to develop my skills in conducting experiments, particularly my hypothesis writing and my ability to analyse experimental data. For example, in my Biology A-Level coursework, I studied the effect of caffeine on the breakdown of protein, hypothesising that protein breakdown would be faster after caffeine intake. I plotted my data on a variety of graphs and used them to identify the rate of the reaction. I explored my hypothesis further in psychology, looking into the effect of caffeine on mental conditions, including addiction. Using my in class research, I linked this to genetics and gene mutations as part of the nature vs nurture debate to bring in my interest in criminals as this is a key element of the study of criminal minds.  

You don’t need to explain or even list the A-Levels you’re taking, but you should point out any transferable skills you’ve built, especially if they’re listed on your course page. For example, psychology courses tend to ask for scientific and analytical skills so this student has pointed out their skills in experiments, and they’ve linked this back to an interest in psychology to show how they can use their analyses across their subjects.

Remember that you need to answer the question ‘what makes me a good candidate for this course’, so pick out key examples that demonstrate that you are!

Recently, I attended a lecture by Dr Guy Sutton, a Professor in Neuroscience at Nottingham University. He discussed dissection, brain function and - most interestingly - the neuropathology of Schizophrenia. This led me to research the relationship between this mental illness and criminal behaviour. I was fascinated to find that, where previously it was thought that Schizophrenia drove people to violence, evidence has been uncovered to suggest that criminality is not a symptom of this condition, and the correlation between Schizophrenia and crime is due to the homelessness, poverty, or drug abuse that so often accompanies this illness. My research impressed upon me the importance of studying the mind; this new evidence changed both the way Schizophrenics are treated in society, and how mentally ill criminals are sentenced. 

Research into and passion for your subject doesn’t have to be about reading - if you’ve visited a lecture, museum, or something similar, mention it to demonstrate your passion and commitment.

Make sure you don’t just mention the experience and move on; you should link together your experience and your reading, and reflect on what you learnt or how it improved your understanding of the subject. Linking your subject to real world events demonstrates to admissions tutors that you understand and appreciate its relevance in the world around you, and demonstrates that you are capable of processing and evaluating information independently.

I enjoy art where I love to explore the inner workings of the mind from a creative perspective. I entered a sculpture which represented motor neurone disease into a competition; I explored the conflict between the minds of both humans and animals, and my entry was exhibited in the Saatchi Gallery where I was asked to film a short video explaining my thought process behind the piece. I am also a bowler for both my District and County cricket teams where I was awarded ‘best bowler’ for three seasons for my hard work, dedication, and drive to improve. As a result of my improving teamwork and leadership skills, I am a Level 1 coach and have begun working towards my level two coaching certificate. I have recently been given the responsibility of running my own team where I hope to inspire the next generation of cricketers. 

Don’t be afraid to highlight your achievements - you should be proud of them! Make sure you point out any accolades, awards, or competitions you have won or taken part in, alongside any extra curricular activities that have helped you develop your skills. You don’t have to link these back to your subject - the point of this section is to demonstrate your skills, not show that you are suitable for psychology. You don’t need a conclusion - use those characters to fill out your examples! If you do choose to end on a conclusion, write about what you are looking forward to studying, rather than any career goals; you are applying to be a student, not a future psychologist!

Latest posts:

The student aspiration gap: what it is, why it matters, and how we fight it.

29th January 2024

Counselor spotlight: Augusto Neto at St. Paul's School, Brazil

8th January 2024

How Bloomberg is getting closer to disadvantaged students with Unifrog’s help

4th January 2024

How to create a gold-tier early careers strategy

21st December 2023

Unifrog World of Work Conference round-up

9th November 2023

10 years of Unifrog

6th November 2023

How to create an inclusive recruitment process

4th October 2023

Unifrog and Ford collaborate on skills development workshop for students

27th September 2023

Why should you join Unifrog’s employer community?

21st September 2023

How work experience benefits students – and how Unifrog's Placements tool can help

30th August 2023

Privacy & Terms

International schools

UK schools + colleges

Universities

Case studies

• MSc Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology MSc

• Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught
• Start Date(s): September 2024
• Duration: One year full-time / two years part-time
• Study Mode(s): Full-time / Part-time
• Campus: City Campus
• Entry Requirements: More information

Find us on:

• Connect through Facebook
• Connect through Twitter
• Connect through Instagram

Introduction:

This British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Forensic Psychology Masters degree is designed to prepare psychology graduates with the academic knowledge and skills necessary to conduct practical work and research within a forensic context. The BPS accreditation means that by obtaining the MSc in Forensic Psychology you'll be completing the first stage in your professional training required by the BPS to become a qualified practitioner within the field of forensic psychology (Chartered Forensic Psychologist).

The focus on blending research and practical expertise is reflected in the course team, which consists of forensic practitioners or academics who each have considerable experience working with offenders and victims in a range of forensic contexts in the UK. Attached to the MSc in Forensic Psychology is the Sexual Offences, Crime and Misconduct Research Unit ( SOCAMRU ), which incorporates a group of active researchers currently engaged in collaborative work with:

• HM Prison Service
• the Police Service
• the National Health Service (NHS)
• High Secure Hospitals.

Application deadline

The application deadline date for 2024 entry will be Friday 17th May 2024.

Applicants are advised to upload their reference documents as soon as possible, and preferably before submitting their application. Applicants for the course who do not upload references may be offered a place on the course (subject to a successful interview) on the condition that suitable and satisfactory references are provided before the start date. However, places cannot be confirmed until these references are received

What you’ll study

*We are currently reviewing the content of our courses to ensure that they remain relevant and current to our students’ future ambitions and society. Please continue to check this course webpage for the latest developments.

This course is designed to give you the academic knowledge and practical and research skills recommended by the BPS. You'll also develop the core practical skills that will equip you to become a practitioner in the field of forensic psychology.

During the course you may have the opportunity to gain real life experience within forensic settings. The team appreciate the difficulty of gaining experience in this field and the importance of doing so for your future career, and so offer a selection of different projects and opportunities which will open the door to the practical field of forensic psychology.

Example projects from previous students include: assisting with the evaluation of a treatment programme through interviewing staff; assessing the reliability of a scale with prisoners, including disseminating questionnaires; the impact on staff of working with suicidal prisoners; staff boundary management in Rampton secure hospital; detecting deception with eye-tracking; evaluating support for prisoners on release from prison including interviewing staff who work with mentally ill offenders and their families; testing suicide theories within an offending population.

A range of forensic work experience opportunities (usually one day per week during term time) and / or applied forensic projects are available each year. These will allow you to gain experience in the forensic field of work. For example, you may be working within a forensic environment or a secure hospital.

Explanations of Crime, Criminal Behaviour and Victimology

This module provides a conceptual basis for understanding crime, criminal behaviour and victimisation, as well as the evidence and theoretical basis for more applied modules such as Assessment, Formulation and Treatment and Professional Forensic Practice. In brief, this module covers the philosophical, historical and social meaning of crime, as well as methodological shortcomings associated with measuring crime. A range of theoretical explanations of criminal behaviour and victimisation are critically reviewed, including psychological models associated with adults, children, violent and sexual offending. This is assessed through two coursework essays, including a focus on reflective writing.

Police, Justice System and Psychology

This module will permit you to develop current knowledge of the relevant evidence base and an understanding of the ethical and legal factors influencing professional practice in the UK justice system. It will cover the legal framework of the law and the civil and criminal justice systems, with a detailed knowledge of the legal system in England and Wales. Legal processes and methods, in particular the role of the jury in legal decision-making, sentencing processes, expert testimony and legal statutes and case law will be considered. You will also develop an awareness and understanding of the structure and function of Police Services and related agencies. Psychology will be applied to the process of crime prevention and investigation, and students will gain an understanding of the limits on police powers, including the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). The role of the victim and vulnerable persons (e.g. children) in the justice system will be also be explored. This is assessed through a piece of coursework.

Prison, Rehabilitation and Aftercare

This module is the second module exploring a forensic context. This module will allow you to develop knowledge about forensic settings commonly encountered by offenders post-sentencing, in particular prisons, secure hospital settings and community initiatives. The role of the victim in post-sentencing initiatives will also be explored, e.g. victim-offender mediation.

Assessment, Formulation and Treatment of Offenders and Victims

In this module you will start to explore conceptual and applied issues associated with core practitioner skills of assessment, formulation and treatment of offenders and victims. You will gain a critical knowledge of risk assessment, clinical assessment and measurement tools, and develop an understanding of how this assessment information can be integrated with theoretical accounts to develop a formulation and treatment plan which addresses an individual's criminogenic and / or clinical needs.

Professional Forensic Practice

The module uses experiential and action learning to provide you with the opportunity to engage in theory-to-practice links. You will integrate academic knowledge with core practitioner skills and apply your knowledge and skills to problems commonly encountered in forensic psychological practice. You will also develop an academic and experiential appreciation of ethical, cultural and professional conduct considerations associated with the work of forensic psychologists. The Reflective Practice Group, which is part of this module, is aimed at providing you with a theoretical and experiential understanding of reflection and its importance in professional forensic practice. Writing a Reflective Diary will be a key part of the module, and will provide you with the opportunity to critically and creatively consider your experiences during the initial stages of the training to become a professional Forensic Psychologist. This is assessed through a risk assessment report based on a case study and the reflective diary.

Qualitative Research Design and Analysis One

This module aims to introduce you to the field of qualitative research. The main aims of this module are to outline the main philosophical and epistemological arguments supporting the use of qualitative research methods in psychology, outline the key issues, problems, and new insights that shape qualitative research design in psychology; familiarise you with a range of data collection techniques used by qualitative researchers in psychology; develop your capacity to manage and handle qualitative data; familiarise you with a range of data analytic techniques used by qualitative researchers in psychology (and to outline the differences between them) and to further develop your ability to report, present, and evaluate qualitative research. This is assessed through a piece of coursework.

Mixed Methods

This module will consider the ontological, epistemological, practical, and theoretical issues involved in combining qualitative and quantitative research in psychology. It will demonstrate some of the most effective ways in which quantitative and qualitative research techniques can be employed together within a single research programme, and it will also introduce a methodological approach which combine quantitative and qualitative elements within a single procedure (repertory grids). The main aim of the module will be to encourage you to see the connection, rather than the conventional 'division' that is drawn between quantitative and qualitative paradigms in psychology. This is assessed through a piece of coursework.

Advanced Experimentation and Statistics One and Two

Advanced Experimentation and Statistics One examines the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of statistics used in experimental research (e.g., statistical inference, power and effect size). The framework for the module is a regression / GLM approach to statistics that focuses on the relationship between multiple linear regression, ANOVA and ANCOVA. The module also covers application of these concepts in widely available computer software such as R and the relationship between different experimental designs (e.g., factorial designs, multi-stage sampling, RCTs, cross-sectional designs, longitudinal designs or single-case studies) and statistical issues such as power and generalizability. Practical issues such as dealing with violations of statistical assumptions or missing data are also considered. Advanced Experimentation and Statistics Two uses the regression framework adopted in Advanced Experimentation and Statistics One and introduces additional advanced statistical topics such as logistic regression, Poisson regression, meta-analysis and multilevel modeling. The module builds on practical topics introduced in Advanced Experimentation and Statistics One such as dealing with violations of assumptions and the limitations of standard research designs for real world data (e.g., handling unbalanced or missing data in repeated measures analyses).

Forensic Research Project

This is completed under the supervision of a research active member of staff. The research project is focussed on a forensic topic and can include qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods, all of which are covered on the course. The journal-style of the final report is designed to develop knowledge in publishing research and presenting information professionally as part of evidence-based practice and skills required for Stage 2 of the route to Chartership.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student profiles, gianna myers.

Forensic Psychology

I know exactly what I want to do with my career and this course has helped solidify that. It has also been really fun meeting new people and expanding my horizons.

No results were found

Video Gallery

Hear from-->