Overview
- A new programme developed to look to the future of forensic psychology
- Combining the portfolio expertise in training therapeutic skills with training in complex forensic understanding
- Opportunity to join a programme engaged with a network of forensic providers across different forensic settings
- Commitment to interprofessional learning and development
- Supervisors with extensive experience in forensic psychology, clinical neuropsychology and mood disorders
- Commitment to equity, inclusion and promoting diversity
Top 75 in the world for Psychology
11th in the UK for internationally excellent research in Psychology
Internationally respected and fast developing social, environmental and organisational psychology research group, and a major centre for cognitive, clinical and neuroscience research
Accreditation
The Doctor of Forensic Psychology programme is an integrated taught, research and placement-based training programme for aspirational early career forensic psychologists seeking to learn the knowledge, skills, values and competences required to practise as a Health and Care Professions Council registered Forensic Psychologist and meet Chartered status within the British Psychological Society’s Division of Forensic Psychology.
Supervision
Students have access to senior, research active supervisors and teachers in a range of research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative, with a wide spectrum of research interests. For more information about the course team and their clinical and research interests, see our Staff Profiles.
You can expect:
• High-quality research supervision to develop and nurture your potential
• A tailored supervision approach to help best suit your requirements
• Accessible supervisors who are enthusiastic about working directly with postgraduate research students
• Regular meetings with your supervisor
• Regular meetings with your supervisory team, other members of your research group, and mentors
Course content
This exciting new Forensic Doctorate aims to train highly skilled professionals to enable to work in prisons, in the community, and within the criminal justice system. The programme trains students in conducting psychological applications and interventions, research, communicating psychological knowledge to others, and to train other professionals in psychological skills and knowledge. The programme is integrated with our DClinPsy programme ensuring quality teaching in therapeutic skills, as well as providing separate specialist forensic training. It is designed to support students to engage in the dual role of forensic psychologist practitioner and researcher, with students receiving a professional doctorate degree as an output.
Course design
This programme consists of an academic taught element, and research thesis, and placements. The programme aims to develop student competencies across the 4 core roles of a forensic psychologist and the relevant core competencies to practice as a forensic psychologist. The curriculum includes teaching on:
- Assessment & formulation
- Therapy & Intervention skills
- Theories of offending
- Professional issues & ethics
- Mental health & neurodevelopmental disorders
- Risk assessment
- Psychology & the court system
- Psychology, law & criminal justice
- Leadership & consultancy
- Supervision
- Research
Structure and delivery
The programme is delivered across 3 years, with the academic year starting in the last week of September. Students will attend Streatham Campus for a week of block teaching at the start of the Autumn, and Spring terms. The rest of the programme’s taught element and research supervision will be delivered online. In a usual week, students will spend: 1 day being taught academic content online, 1 day conducting their own research, and 3 days working on placement.
Collaboration with services
This programme is a collaborative endeavour with service providers. We have worked hard to identify not just the professional requirements of the British Psychological Society, and Health and Care Professions Council, but also to explore with service providers what they need from Forensic Psychologists. In this way students have the opportunity to join a doctorate that is grounded in practice, while also offered by a research-intensive university to gain the best of both dimensions.
DClinPGR Portfolio
The DForenPsy is located within the DClinPGR Portfolio, which offers a range of professional doctorates, providing candidates opportunities to develop interprofessional working skills, and to gain greater insight into people undertaking doctoral training as Health Care Professionals, Psychotherapists and Clinical Psychologists.
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Entry requirements
Graduate Basis for Registration (GBC) confirmed at time of application from the British Psychological Society.
Plus one of the following
- 1st class or 2:1 psychology degree or a non-psychology degree plus completion of an accredited psychology conversion course.
- 2:2 undergraduate psychology degree plus a relevant research Masters, DPhil or PhD.
- 2:2 without a Masters if one of the contextual admissions criteria is met.
You should be able to demonstrate research experience beyond undergraduate (e.g. audit).
You should have relevant experience, preferably in forensic psychology or a clinical psychology setting, beyond observation of working with a client a forensic psychologist would work with.
You should be able to demonstrate an ability to manage conflicting perspectives.
You should have experience of working with groups and managing complex relationships.
You should have an understanding of forensic contexts (minimum criteria of this would be through an observation).
You will need to pass an Enhanced DBS check.
We actively welcome applicants from a diversity of backgrounds (e.g., culture, socio-economic status).
International students
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2: view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country
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How to apply
Applications will be through the university
The information below applies to self-funded DForenPsy applicants. In some cases there may be funded places available through trusts or other organisations.
- Apply online through the University applications system.
- Complete the application form and include your relevant academic and work history.
- Include a personal statement that covers all of the additional entry information.
- If proceeding to the next stage, attend an interview with the programme team.
For international students, not based in the UK you will need to:
- Identify a BPS accredited supervisor and Forensic placement
- Ensure that you meet our English language entry requirements (international students only)
- Apply online
- Complete the application form and include your relevant academic and work history.
- Include a personal statement that covers all of the additional entry information.
- If proceeding to the next stage, attend an interview with the programme team.
Funding opportunities will be provided by the programme as they become available. Please email dforenpsy@exeter.ac.uk for further details.
We are currently liaising with a number of placement providers throughout England and Wales and so we are welcoming applications from a wide range of geographical locations. Although trainees will be required to attend the University for three weeks per year for block teaching at the start of each term.
Please note: programmes are subject to minimum enrolment cohort numbers.
Please note: The programme start date will be dependent on university academic approval.
For 2024 entry, the timeline is likely to be:
- May 17th Admissions close
- May 24th Interview offers sent out
- June 6th and 7th Interviews held in person at Exeter Streatham Campus
- June 7th and 10th Conditional offer letters sent
- Last week of September/first week of October Programme start date
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Fees and funding
In terms of funding we will put you in touch with any partners who may offer funding or sponsorship to trainees, if this becomes available. However, you may also wish to access a student loan, the details are available here. Please ensure you read the PGR Student loans page carefully.
We accept applicants who intend to use Accreditation of Prior Learning to transfer onto this doctoral programme. Please ensure you read the PGR Student loans page carefully.
Tuition fees per year 2024/25
Home:
- £14,000 per year for 3 years
International:
- £25,000 per year for 3 years
Funding opportunities will be provided by the programme as they become available. Please email dforenpsy@exter.ac.uk for further details.
Careers
This degree is an integrated Stage 1 and Stage 2 doctoral programme that on completion will allow you to practise as a Forensic Psychologist, and to be eligible for registration with the HCPC as a Forensic Psychologist. There are a range of different jobs that you will be eligible for on graduation including in prisons, secure services and community locations. There is increasing demand for Forensic Psychologists, making them highly employable. We are working with multiple employers who are keen to employ our graduates.
