Mode of Study
Full-time, Part-time, Part-time by distance learningDuration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-timeStart date
September 2023Overview
Understanding the psychology of crime is essential to its investigation. If you're looking to start your career in criminal psychology, or you're already working in the field and want to aim for higher level roles, our MSc Criminal Psychology degree course will give you the knowledge and skills you need.
Psychology at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 5th of the modern universities for research quality
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
On this course, you'll get to analyse the criminal justice system with a view to making positive change. You'll explore complex behaviours, such as police interviewing and deception detection, and gain insight into courtroom psychology and jury decision making.
You'll learn how taking a psychological approach, such as through offender profiling, improves criminal investigations, and look at issues like offender rehabilitation and the links between offending behaviour and mental health.
You can study either full or part-time on campus, or part-time by distance learning, so you can fit your studies around your work schedule. You'll also have the chance to customise your qualification by choosing to combine your study of criminal psychology with another of our Criminal Justice Master's courses.
When you graduate, you'll be ready to work with offenders and/or victims within any area of the criminal justice system, including policing, law enforcement, probation and intelligence analysis.
This course is not accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Course highlights
- Customise your Criminal Psychology Master's degree by combining it with another of our Criminal Justice Master's courses, and graduate with a bespoke and highly specialised qualification
- Delve into the psychology of offending behaviour from the perspectives of causation, intervention and rehabilitation, while also assessing current legislation and placing a particular emphasis on mental health
- Learn from an experienced team of criminal psychology specialists in our School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and hear from industry expert guest speakers from around the world
- Have the opportunity to use our lab equipment to carry out your own research, such as our eye-tracking and VR technology, and crime scene and operational policing simulation spaces
- Be part of our community of researchers by getting involved with our criminology research groups, such as the Collaboration of Forensic Interviewing and the Probation, Prison and Penology research group
- Interact and explore criminal psychology with fellow professionals from the world of criminal justice
Tailor your degree to your interests and ambitions
As one of our Criminal Justice Master's courses, this course enables you to graduate with a degree title (see below) that reflects your interests and career goals by choosing specific modules.
You'll choose which modules you want to study at the start of the course. We'll help you choose the modules and degree title that matches your interests and career ambitions.
Degree title options
- MSc Criminal Psychology
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Economic Crime
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Forensic Investigation
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Intelligence
- MSc Criminal Psychology and International Criminal Justice
- MSc Cybercrime and Criminal Psychology
- MSc Criminal Psychology
- MSc Crime Science and Criminal Psychology
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Economic Crime
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Intelligence
- MSc Criminal Psychology and International Criminal Justice
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Victimology
My course enables me to learn how to make decisions which will help my future career. It's benefitted me by allowing us to engage with exceptional guest speakers and in field trips to be able to experience ‘hands on’ the real feel of the issues of crime, with specific discussion to particular offenders who have faced prison.
What you'll study on this MSc Criminal Psychology degree course
Explore modules on this course for:
Full-time (on campus)
Core modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate systematic knowledge, comprehensive understanding and critical awareness, and think independently, analytically and creatively about the subject area
- Recognise and critically evaluate the importance of social justice issues
- Recognise and critically evaluate the key issues in the subject area
- Critically analyse emerging areas of importance in the subject area
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Be able to synthesise new and existing knowledge to generate ideas and develop creative solutions to the benefit of society, within a small-scale research project within their chosen field
- Design, apply and critically evaluate research methodologies within the chosen subject area, demonstrating a commitment to ethical practice
- Conduct a systematic, methodologically and ethically sound research process (literature based or empirical research)
- Manage and reflect upon own learning and be able to communicate in a range of forms to audiences relevant to the academic and/or workplace community
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Recognise the challenges involved in undertaking ethical research and identify the research challenges that need to be accommodated within a proposal for a research project
- Construct a postgraduate research proposal with an ability to set out clear research objectives, and appropriate research design whilst able to select appropriate research methods
- Apply an appropriate research design, and deploy specific research method(s) to the research problem (or question) with a clear appreciation of how any ethical issues are addressed
- Effectively locate existing academic literature in their chosen field of research using bibliographic databases, with an appreciation of the breadth of other data sources, repositories and archives
If you take just the core modules listed on this page, you can take one or two of these specialist option modules.
If you take an additional core module from another Criminal Justice Master's course, you'll only take one specialist option module.
Relevant specialist options
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the concepts of dangerousness, risk and vulnerability within a criminal justice context
- Demonstrate an integrated understanding of the development of public protection policies, locate these within the broader development of criminal justice and victim-centred policies
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of contemporary debates concerning the complex relationships between the state, the offender and the victim, within the wider context of citizenship and rights
- Critically evaluate the development and implementation of policies and legislation
- Demonstrate critical and reflective understanding of the subject area within the context of ethical practice and social justice issues
- Demonstrate an intellectual curiosity for the subject area and engage imaginatively with new areas of investigation within and across discipline boundaries
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically discuss the potential contributions of psychological research and theory in the criminal justice arena
- Critically assess the application of psychology to the criminal justice system, from investigation to the courtroom
- Critically appraise the role of psychology in criminal justice policy and procedure
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically analyse a range of research studies making assessments as to their explanatory power and scientific rigour in the field of rehabilitation and desistence from crime
- Think independently, analytically and creatively about the rehabilitation of offenders and desistance from crime
- Analyse and critically appraise existing and new paradigms of knowledge in the rehabilitation of offenders
- Locate, access and engage with global information pertinent to leaving crime behind
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Evaluate critically the current research and academic understanding of the key concepts and debates within the field of addiction
- Evaluate critically the relationship between addictive behaviour and crime
- Evaluate critically the relationship between theory and practice in the delivery of services for individuals and communities for whom addiction and its associated problems are an issue
If you take just the core modules listed on this page plus one specialist option module, you can take one of these other available modules.
Other modules available
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- To develop a critical awareness of aquatic forensic investigation as a specialist field within the sector
- To demonstrate a critical and reflective knowledge of limitations of the field of aquatic forensic investigation
- To identify and critically evaluate necessary areas for future research in the field of aquatic forensic investigation
- To demonstrate the ability to think independently, critically and analytically to apply complex concepts and theory to complex forensic scenarios
- To demonstrate an advanced understanding of the relevant practical skills necessary effective aquatic investigation how these can be applied
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse and appraise the nature and scale of public and private sector fraud and corruption and to critically evaluate and compare the sources, methodology and limits to measurement
- Systematically evaluate different public and private sector strategies to counter fraud and corruption and to identify and critically assess the theoretical basis
- Critically examine and compare the success of arrangements to counter fraud and corruption in the public and private sectors
- Critically evaluate action taken in the public and private sectors to counter fraud and corruption and to apply knowledge gained to a case study of countering fraud and/or corruption
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the use of science and technology to support investigations and crime reduction activities
- Critically assess the utility of a variety of investigative tools that are available to support investigations and crime reduction activities
- Articulate and critically comment upon the range of specialist services available to investigators
- Devise appropriate strategies to make the most efficient, effective and economic use of scientific resources in support of investigations and crime reduction activities
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically and reflectively assess the strengths and weaknesses of differing systems of justice
- Critically analyse, compare and contrast the workings of inquisitorial and adversarial systems of justice
- Critically engage with contemporary global debates and the application of those to theoretical frameworks such as models of justice and philosophies of punishment
- Critically evaluate the development of international criminal law, including international courts and tribunals, and the operation of the UN, regional and national structures of international justice in response to those crimes
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate systematic knowledge, comprehensive understanding and critical awareness, and think independently, analytically and creatively about the subject area
- Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge and be able to analyse and appraise both new and existing knowledge and respond to challenges, locate and access information pertinent to the subject area, using digital and emerging technologies
- Recognise and evaluate the importance of social justice issues
- Demonstrate clear communication skills to different audiences
- Demonstrate enterprising and innovative skills and be adaptive and flexible to new situations
- Identify personal career development needs and make informed career choices
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate complexities and processes of economic crime schemes
- Diagnose complex economic crime schemes to discriminate the contributions of the various offence types
- Critically evaluate the social and economic impact of economic cybercrime
- Critically assess the effectiveness of crime reduction policies
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes for the module are:
- Design and formulate an appropriate strategy to recover forensic evidence in response to investigation requirements
- Critically appraise the utility of forensic methodologies to support investigation requirements
- Plan, manage and organise an appropriate forensic investigation response to a range of situations and crime contexts
- Defend and justify investigative decisions made in the use of forensic methods based on investigation requirements
- Develop skills in evidence assessment, recovery, analysis and interpretation
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically assess the notion of green criminology and environmental justice
- Critically analyse and articulate the range of perspectives surrounding ecological justice and species justice
- Critically examine the problem and scale of wildlife crime and wildlife trafficking
- Critically appraise the latest global advances in wildlife crime investigation, including surveillance, remote-sensing, drones, financial investigation, cyber investigation, forensics and big-data analysis
- Critically assess the suitability of systems and technology to counter wildlife trafficking, drawing upon socio-technical approaches
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- To develop a critical awareness of the concepts of globalisation, risk and security in relation to cyberspace
- To create a holistic understanding of the nature of cybersecurity threats facing organisations and states
- To estimate the diverse cybersecurity threats and responses, in relation to organisations and states
- To appraise the challenges of national cybersecurity strategies
- To develop an integrated interdisciplinary understanding of approaches to managing cyber-risks
- To assess the impact of global cybersecurity governance
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Appraise established intelligence processes and practice
- Critically assess the ways in which intelligence is used (and often is not used) to inform the investigative process
- Critically evaluate the utility of existing intelligence models
- Critically assess the range of analytical services that are available to intelligence professionals
- Critically assess the limits on the legitimate exercise of police powers in the context of intelligence
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes for this module are:
- To critically compare jurisdictional and regional narratives and debates relating to missing persons.
- To be able to identify and critically discuss a range of issues relevant to missing persons over time, both conceptual and practical.
- To identify and critically analyse sources from official and academic outlets discussing missing persons issues globally.
- To critically consider the implications of measures taken by state and other actors to deal with missing persons issues.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- To describe and examine different typologies, process, and methods of money laundering
- To develop a critical awareness of underlying regulatory and compliance frameworks
- To instil in students an appreciation of the business context in which money laundering occurs and is tackled
- To develop an integrated understanding of comparative strategies, structures and actions to tackle money laundering that will allow to engage in their critical evaluation
Part-time (on campus)
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate systematic knowledge, comprehensive understanding and critical awareness, and think independently, analytically and creatively about the subject area
- Recognise and critically evaluate the importance of social justice issues
- Recognise and critically evaluate the key issues in the subject area
- Critically analyse emerging areas of importance in the subject area
Specialist options
If you take just the core modules listed above, you can take one or two of these specialist option modules.
If you take an additional core module from another Criminal Justice Master's course, you'll only take one specialist option module.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the concepts of dangerousness, risk and vulnerability within a criminal justice context
- Demonstrate an integrated understanding of the development of public protection policies, locate these within the broader development of criminal justice and victim-centred policies
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of contemporary debates concerning the complex relationships between the state, the offender and the victim, within the wider context of citizenship and rights
- Critically evaluate the development and implementation of policies and legislation
- Demonstrate critical and reflective understanding of the subject area within the context of ethical practice and social justice issues
- Demonstrate an intellectual curiosity for the subject area and engage imaginatively with new areas of investigation within and across discipline boundaries
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically discuss the potential contributions of psychological research and theory in the criminal justice arena
- Critically assess the application of psychology to the criminal justice system, from investigation to the courtroom
- Critically appraise the role of psychology in criminal justice policy and procedure
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically analyse a range of research studies making assessments as to their explanatory power and scientific rigour in the field of rehabilitation and desistence from crime
- Think independently, analytically and creatively about the rehabilitation of offenders and desistance from crime
- Analyse and critically appraise existing and new paradigms of knowledge in the rehabilitation of offenders
- Locate, access and engage with global information pertinent to leaving crime behind
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Evaluate critically the current research and academic understanding of the key concepts and debates within the field of addiction
- Evaluate critically the relationship between addictive behaviour and crime
- Evaluate critically the relationship between theory and practice in the delivery of services for individuals and communities for whom addiction and its associated problems are an issue
Other available modules
If you take just the core modules listed above plus one specialist option module, you can take one of these other available modules.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- To develop a critical awareness of aquatic forensic investigation as a specialist field within the sector
- To demonstrate a critical and reflective knowledge of limitations of the field of aquatic forensic investigation
- To identify and critically evaluate necessary areas for future research in the field of aquatic forensic investigation
- To demonstrate the ability to think independently, critically and analytically to apply complex concepts and theory to complex forensic scenarios
- To demonstrate an advanced understanding of the relevant practical skills necessary effective aquatic investigation how these can be applied
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse and appraise the nature and scale of public and private sector fraud and corruption and to critically evaluate and compare the sources, methodology and limits to measurement.
- Systematically evaluate different public and private sector strategies to counter fraud and corruption and to identify and critically assess the theoretical basis.
- Critically examine and compare the success of arrangements to counter fraud and corruption in the public and private sectors.
- Critically evaluate action taken in the public and private sectors to counter fraud and corruption and to apply knowledge gained to a case study of countering fraud and/or corruption.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the use of science and technology to support investigations and crime reduction activities
- Critically assess the utility of a variety of investigative tools that are available to support investigations and crime reduction activities
- Articulate and critically comment upon the range of specialist services available to investigators
- Devise appropriate strategies to make the most efficient, effective and economic use of scientific resources in support of investigations and crime reduction activities
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically and reflectively assess the strengths and weaknesses of differing systems of justice
- Critically analyse, compare and contrast the workings of inquisitorial and adversarial systems of justice
- Critically engage with contemporary global debates and the application of those to theoretical frameworks such as models of justice and philosophies of punishment
- Critically evaluate the development of international criminal law, including international courts and tribunals, and the operation of the UN, regional and national structures of international justice in response to those crimes
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate systematic knowledge, comprehensive understanding and critical awareness, and think independently, analytically and creatively about the subject area
- Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge and be able to analyse and appraise both new and existing knowledge and respond to challenges, locate and access information pertinent to the subject area, using digital and emerging technologies
- Recognise and evaluate the importance of social justice issues
- Demonstrate clear communication skills to different audiences
- Demonstrate enterprising and innovative skills and be adaptive and flexible to new situations
- Identify personal career development needs and make informed career choices
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate complexities and processes of economic crime schemes
- Diagnose complex economic crime schemes to discriminate the contributions of the various offence types
- Critically evaluate the social and economic impact of economic cybercrime
- Critically assess the effectiveness of crime reduction policies
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes for the module are:
- Design and formulate an appropriate strategy to recover forensic evidence in response to investigation requirements
- Critically appraise the utility of forensic methodologies to support investigation requirements
- Plan, manage and organise an appropriate forensic investigation response to a range of situations and crime contexts
- Defend and justify investigative decisions made in the use of forensic methods based on investigation requirements
- Develop skills in evidence assessment, recovery, analysis and interpretation
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically assess the notion of green criminology and environmental justice
- Critically analyse and articulate the range of perspectives surrounding ecological justice and species justice
- Critically examine the problem and scale of wildlife crime and wildlife trafficking
- Critically appraise the latest global advances in wildlife crime investigation, including surveillance, remote-sensing, drones, financial investigation, cyber investigation, forensics and big-data analysis
- Critically assess the suitability of systems and technology to counter wildlife trafficking, drawing upon socio-technical approaches
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- To develop a critical awareness of the concepts of globalisation, risk and security in relation to cyberspace
- To create a holistic understanding of the nature of cybersecurity threats facing organisations and states
- To estimate the diverse cybersecurity threats and responses, in relation to organisations and states
- To appraise the challenges of national cybersecurity strategies
- To develop an integrated interdisciplinary understanding of approaches to managing cyber-risks
- To assess the impact of global cybersecurity governance
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Appraise established intelligence processes and practice
- Critically assess the ways in which intelligence is used (and often is not used) to inform the investigative process
- Critically evaluate the utility of existing intelligence models
- Critically assess the range of analytical services that are available to intelligence professionals
- Critically assess the limits on the legitimate exercise of police powers in the context of intelligence
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes for this module are:
- To critically compare jurisdictional and regional narratives and debates relating to missing persons.
- To be able to identify and critically discuss a range of issues relevant to missing persons over time, both conceptual and practical.
- To identify and critically analyse sources from official and academic outlets discussing missing persons issues globally.
- To critically consider the implications of measures taken by state and other actors to deal with missing persons issues.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- To describe and examine different typologies, process, and methods of money laundering
- To develop a critical awareness of underlying regulatory and compliance frameworks
- To instil in students an appreciation of the business context in which money laundering occurs and is tackled
- To develop an integrated understanding of comparative strategies, structures and actions to tackle money laundering that will allow to engage in their critical evaluation
Core modules
You'll take all core modules.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Be able to synthesise new and existing knowledge to generate ideas and develop creative solutions to the benefit of society, within a small-scale research project within their chosen field
- Design, apply and critically evaluate research methodologies within the chosen subject area, demonstrating a commitment to ethical practice
- Conduct a systematic, methodologically and ethically sound research process (literature based or empirical research)
- Manage and reflect upon own learning and be able to communicate in a range of forms to audiences relevant to the academic and/or workplace community
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Recognise the challenges involved in undertaking ethical research and identify the research challenges that need to be accommodated within a proposal for a research project
- Construct a postgraduate research proposal with an ability to set out clear research objectives, and appropriate research design whilst able to select appropriate research methods
- Apply an appropriate research design, and deploy specific research method(s) to the research problem (or question) with a clear appreciation of how any ethical issues are addressed
- Effectively locate existing academic literature in their chosen field of research using bibliographic databases, with an appreciation of the breadth of other data sources, repositories and archives
Part-time (distance learning)
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate systematic knowledge, comprehensive understanding and critical awareness, and think independently, analytically and creatively about the subject area
- Recognise and critically evaluate the importance of social justice issues
- Recognise and critically evaluate the key issues in the subject area
- Critically analyse emerging areas of importance in the subject area
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Recognise the challenges involved in undertaking ethical research and identify the research challenges that need to be accommodated within a proposal for a research project
- Construct a postgraduate research proposal with an ability to set out clear research objectives, and appropriate research design whilst able to select appropriate research methods
- Apply an appropriate research design, and deploy specific research method(s) to the research problem (or question) with a clear appreciation of how any ethical issues are addressed
- Effectively locate existing academic literature in their chosen field of research using bibliographic databases, with an appreciation of the breadth of other data sources, repositories and archives
Specialist options
If you take just the core modules listed above, you can take one of these specialist option modules and one of the other other available modules (in Year 2).
If you take an additional core module from another Criminal Justice Master's course, you'll only take one of these specialist option modules.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically discuss the potential contributions of psychological research and theory in the criminal justice arena
- Critically assess the application of psychology to the criminal justice system, from investigation to the courtroom
- Critically appraise the role of psychology in criminal justice policy and procedure
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes for this module are:
- To critically compare jurisdictional and regional narratives and debates relating to missing persons.
- To be able to identify and critically discuss a range of issues relevant to missing persons over time, both conceptual and practical.
- To identify and critically analyse sources from official and academic outlets discussing missing persons issues globally.
- To critically consider the implications of measures taken by state and other actors to deal with missing persons issues.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key concepts of vulnerability, risk and resilience
- Identify the factors associated with risk, to understand and be aware of the tools used to assess risk and the mechanisms and partnerships developed to manage risk
- Demonstrate a critical understanding and awareness of the complex individual and social factors which influence vulnerability and risk
- Demonstrate an up to date knowledge and understanding of victim-centred policies and legislation and the impact upon professional cultures and practices
- Critically analyse contemporary developments in the provision of support servcies to assist victims to cope and recover, identifying best practices and collaborative partnerships
Core modules
You'll take all core modules.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Be able to synthesise new and existing knowledge to generate ideas and develop creative solutions to the benefit of society, within a small-scale research project within their chosen field
- Design, apply and critically evaluate research methodologies within the chosen subject area, demonstrating a commitment to ethical practice
- Conduct a systematic, methodologically and ethically sound research process (literature based or empirical research)
- Manage and reflect upon own learning and be able to communicate in a range of forms to audiences relevant to the academic and/or workplace community
Other available modules
If you take just the core modules listed in Year 1 plus one specialist option module, you can take one of these other available modules.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse and appraise the nature and scale of public and private sector fraud and corruption and to critically evaluate and compare the sources, methodology and limits to measurement.
- Systematically evaluate different public and private sector strategies to counter fraud and corruption and to identify and critically assess the theoretical basis.
- Critically examine and compare the success of arrangements to counter fraud and corruption in the public and private sectors.
- Critically evaluate action taken in the public and private sectors to counter fraud and corruption and to apply knowledge gained to a case study of countering fraud and/or corruption.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically and reflectively assess the strengths and weaknesses of differing systems of justice
- Critically analyse, compare and contrast the workings of inquisitorial and adversarial systems of justice
- Critically engage with contemporary global debates and the application of those to theoretical frameworks such as models of justice and philosophies of punishment
- Critically evaluate the development of international criminal law, including international courts and tribunals, and the operation of the UN, regional and national structures of international justice in response to those crimes
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate complexities and processes of economic crime schemes
- Diagnose complex economic crime schemes to discriminate the contributions of the various offence types
- Critically evaluate the social and economic impact of economic cybercrime
- Critically assess the effectiveness of crime reduction policies
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Conceptualise the definition and nature of forms of multinational and transnational offending
- Critically assess the forms of multinational and transnational offending
- Critically analyse global trends, governance challenges, international responses and preventative strategies
- Critically appraise contemporary perceptions of transnational offending and 'border-less' crime in relation to the established academic literature
- Critically evaluate governance challenges, international responses and preventative strategies
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Appraise established intelligence processes and practice
- Critically assess the ways in which intelligence is used (and often is not used) to inform the investigative process
- Critically evaluate the utility of existing intelligence models
- Critically assess the range of analytical services that are available to intelligence professionals
- Critically assess the limits on the legitimate exercise of police powers in the context of intelligence
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop critical and reflective knowledge and understanding of the subject area
- Think independently, analytically, and creatively in synthesising new and existing knowledge
- Develop a critical awareness and understanding of good practice and relevant organisational and management theory to the effective running of justice/security organisations
- Critically appreciate factors that contribute to justice and security organisations to improve quality, resource and financial management
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically appraise the investigative knowledge required by those leading investigations into major crime and serious crime
- Critically assess the UK investigative and prosecution process used for serious and major crime
- Critically explore some miscarriages of justice which are related to unethical major crime investigation
- Critically assess the range of specialist services that are available to investigators leading investigations into homicide or other major crime
- Critically examine and compare investigative practices in selected countries
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- To describe and examine different typologies, process, and methods of money laundering
- To develop a critical awareness of underlying regulatory and compliance frameworks
- To instil in students an appreciation of the business context in which money laundering occurs and is tackled
- To develop an integrated understanding of comparative strategies, structures and actions to tackle money laundering that will allow to engage in their critical evaluation
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically assess and analyse security risk management research from a wide variety of academic disciplines and apply to models of security management
- Critically evaluate and appraise the security strategy and security risks of an organisation
- Synthesise current theoretical models for the delivery of security and apply them to a practical example
- Synthesise complex arguments into a presentation for a hypothetical board
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically explore the academic discipline of victimology and the influence of competing theoretical perspectives upon our understanding of the processes of victimisation and how this informs both formal and informal responses to victims of crime
- Analyse contemporary and often controversial debates concerning the complex relationships between the state, the offender and the victim, particularly within the wider context of citizenship and the notion of victims' rights
- Critically appreciate the development of victim-centred policies and demonstrate an up to date knowledge of the relevant policies and legislation
- Critically examine the impact of victim-centred reforms upon criminal justice professional cultures and practices, and to identify the barriers which may impede the implementation of policies and legislation as intended
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
Criminal Justice Master's courses
Discover the Master's courses offered by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Dr Helen Earwaker: Here within the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth, we run a diverse range of Master's level provision with content aligned to a host of different areas that link to the pursuit of justice. Students can choose to study on campus or through distance learning. Our distance learning courses enable students to learn as part of a diverse online community, balancing their other commitments with their learning.
Dr Helen Earwaker: On campus, we bring learning to life through interactive workshops, immersive learning and through using simulated environments.
Gary [Podcast]: "Hello, everyone, and welcome back. Today we are looking at the case of Simon Flint, who is reported missing by his wife. A missing persons case has been opened and there is an active investigation into his disappearance. There is some intelligence to suggest that Mr. Flint has been involved in fraudulent activity. Four days later, a body believed to be that of Mr. Flint is discovered in an abandoned warehouse.
So now that we've discussed the case, we're going to look at the different theoretical and practical aspects that spanned the disciplines connected with this case. For example, we're going to consider the economic crime and fraud investigation, forensic science and crime science, the application of victimology and psychology, the potential connectivity with cybercrime, and then we're going to see how all of these fit together within the criminal justice system. This is important because these are all the areas that are considered within our MSc provision."
Dr Helen Earwaker: Our MSc provision connects to the research centres that we have within our school and our students benefit from the world-leading research that goes on within these. Research is at the very heart of our MSc teaching with evidence-based practice a core theme throughout our courses. Our students learn in a multidisciplinary and cross-border environment, benefiting from a wide range of perspectives across criminal justice and beyond.
Dr Helen Earwaker: We work closely with partner organisations across the justice sector, enabling our students to combine theory and practice throughout their studies. An MSc within the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice will equip you to be evidence informed, forward thinking and to go on to challenge the status quo in the pursuit of justice.
Careers and opportunities
Careers this Master's prepares you for
Criminal psychology draws on elements from psychology, criminology and criminal justice, with the aim of studying offenders and offending behaviour to improve the effectiveness of criminal investigations.
On this Master's in Criminal Psychology, you'll gain a tailored postgraduate qualification to add to your undergraduate degree, or to back up your existing career knowledge from the field. You'll delve deep into the subjects you choose to study through research, gaining an evidence-based perspective and a greater ability to be analytical and evaluative.
You'll graduate with the tools you need to not only understand the difference criminal psychology can make to the justice system, but also to challenge existing processes and make improvements.
If you already work in the field of criminal justice, you'll be ready to pursue higher-level roles, or to break into a different area of the discipline. If you're still to embark on your career in criminal justice, you'll gain the knowledge and advanced research problem-solving skills you need to stand out to employers and contribute positively to justice system reform.
Graduates of this course and our other Criminal Justice Master's courses have gone onto roles such as:
- Probation service officer
- Police officer
- Witness care officer
- Intelligence analyst
- Substance abuse therapist
- Domestic and sexual abuse adviser
- Adult mental health recovery worker
- Researcher
Graduates of this course and our other Criminal Justice Master's courses have gone on to work for companies such as:
- Federal Criminal Police, Germany
- Department of Corrections, USA
- National Probation Service
- Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- Civil Service
- Office of National Statistics
- Hampshire Constabulary
- Kent Constabulary
- Aurora New Dawn
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC)
Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and from our Careers and Employability Centre, which you can access for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Facilities and specialist equipment
Crime scene simulation spaces
Use the latest forensic advances and immersive learning technologies, including virtual and augmented reality, to delve into crime scene investigation in our realistic simulation areas.
Virtual Reality (VR) Lab
Use immersive VR technologies to explore new ways of learning about criminal activities – from tracking eye movement to identifying unconscious behaviour.
Hydra Immersive Learning Suite
Engage in simulated scenarios that replicate operational policing challenges, developing your problem solving, decision making and critical thinking skills.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in on-campus or in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 1 year (full-time study)
- 2 years (part-time study)
If you study on campus, you can expect:
- Up to 6 hours of teaching time every week (lectures, seminars or workshops). This will be pro rata for part-time students.
- 24–30 hours of independent study each week if you study full-time, or 12–15 hours each week if you study part-time.
If you study by distance learning, you can expect:
- 6 hours of live online lectures and/or seminars for each module you study, recorded for those who cannot attend. All core material is available online at all times so you can create your own study schedule around work or other commitments.
- 18 hours of independent study each week.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree. If you choose campus based study, the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- individual and group projects
If you choose to study online, this Master's in Criminal Psychology is delivered by supported distance learning. You will receive high-quality course materials via Moodle, our online learning environment.
You'll get to chat with fellow students, discuss and present your work and keep in touch with tutors. You'll get plenty of support throughout your studies, including help on writing and structuring essays, and how to undertake research.
You'll need access to a computer and a web connection. You may be able to access some of the resources through a tablet or smartphone, with limited functionality. You don't need to be especially computer literate, although typing skills are useful.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- essays
- dissertation
You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Dr Paul Smith
I am Director of the Forensic Innovation Centre and the Institute of Criminal Justice Study Lead on Innovation. I started my career as a medical photographer with the Leicester Royal Infirmary, moving into a role as a crime scene investigator (CSI) with Leicestershire Constabulary in April 1999.
During this time I investigated a range of major and volume crimes, and trained as a crime scene manager and coordinator, advancing to an assistant senior CSI in 2004. After studying for a Masters in forensic archaeology, I completed my doctoral studies in embedded technologies for scene investigations. I teach forensic studies and my research interests include developing knowledge sharing in the police, integrating technologies into investigative practice and researching various aspects of forensic studies and associated criminal justice matters.
Gary Dalton
I graduated from the University of Stirling in 2009 with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and I'm currently working towards a PhD in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (SCCJ) at the University of Portsmouth.
My research aims to provide a frontline examination of how witnesses and victims of crime actually first describe a suspect. I will be working closely with Hampshire Constabulary to examine what actually happens at the scene of an incident. In addition, I've held a number of research associate positions which have been funded by the Technology Strategy Board and the Economic and Social Research Council. Most recently I've been working for Dr Anne Hillstrom, Dr Lorraine Hope and Dr James Sauer, looking at whether providing training can improve face matching performance.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project/dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video and phone from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. If you choose to study on-campus, you'll also get face-to-face support. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- Academic writing
- Note taking
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Presentation skills
- Referencing
- Working in groups
- Revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2023 start)
- Full time: £9,900
- Part time: £4,950 per year
- Part time distance learning: £4,250 per year
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time: £9,900
- Part time: £4,950 per year
- Part time distance learning: £4,250 per year
- Full time: £17,200
- Part time: £8,600 per year
- Part time distance learning: £4,250 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you're a UK student who achieved a first in your undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a £3,000 University of Portsmouth scholarship.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Discover how you can fund your Master's study at Portsmouth – including loans, scholarships and bursaries – and read our guidance on topics like how to budget, and how to get support if you're disabled or have dependents.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: If you choose to study on-campus, accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
September 2023
- A second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, such as Social Science, Humanities, Law, Management, Psychology or Forensic Science.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Exceptionally, applicants with strong and relevant work experience will be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying to study on-campus as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Note you're applying for MSc Criminal Justice – you'll graduate with a MSc Criminal Psychology degree title when you choose the relevant modules at the start of the course.
Standard applications
Start this course in September 2023
On campus
Apply now (Full-time – 1 year)
Apply now (Part-time – 2 years)
Distance learning
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2021, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.