COURSE CURRICULUM

The MSc Mental Health and Forensic Mental Health programme provides an in-depth exploration of psychological theory, mental health practice, forensic psychology, research methods, and professional development. The Forensic Mental Health module examines forensic mental health from a broad and critical perspective, exploring contemporary theories, legal contexts, rehabilitation approaches, intervention strategies, and the assessment and treatment of individuals with psychological disorders. Students evaluate different theoretical frameworks and their application across forensic and clinical settings. Explanations of Crime, Criminal Behaviour and Victimology provides a foundation for understanding crime and victimisation through philosophical, historical, social, and psychological perspectives. The module critically reviews theories explaining offending behaviour among adults and young people, including violent and sexual offending, while considering challenges in measuring and understanding crime. Clinical Research Methods develops an understanding of best practice in psychological research within clinical environments, focusing on ethics, governance, data protection, risk management, and the opportunities and challenges associated with conducting research in real-world settings. Research and Professional Skills equips students with the abilities required to design, manage, fund, and disseminate independent psychological research while also enhancing employability, communication, and professional development skills relevant to careers within and beyond psychology. Contemporary Issues in Mental Health explores cutting-edge topics in mental health and psychological wellbeing, encouraging critical analysis of current debates, emerging research, and their implications for policy and professional practice. Theory and Application to Mental Health introduces key theoretical perspectives, including medical, biopsychosocial, diagnostic, and constructivist models of mental health and illness. Students critically evaluate these theories and apply them to practical scenarios through enquiry-based projects linked to real-world mental health organisations, developing collaborative problem-solving and evidence-based decision-making skills. The Specialist Psychology Essay allows students to investigate a chosen area of interest in depth under expert supervision, developing advanced critical analysis and academic writing skills. The programme culminates in the Research Project/Dissertation, where students undertake an extensive independent research study or structured review on a specialist topic. This major project enables students to demonstrate advanced research competence and develop skills in communicating findings to academic, practitioner, and service-user audiences. Collectively, the modules provide a strong foundation for careers in mental health services, forensic settings, criminal justice organisations, research, policy development, and further doctoral study.