Forensic Psychology Top-up DForenPsy DForenPsy

Our Stage 2 training programme is ideal for those who have already completed Stage 1 training (already holding a BPS accredited Masters in Criminological/Forensic/Investigative Psychology).

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Meaning that upon graduation, you are eligible to apply for BPS Chartered Psychology status, HCPC registration as a Forensic Psychologist, and full member of the Division of Forensic Psychology.

The course is run by the Centre for Forensic and Family Psychology (CFFP), located in the School of Medicine, in collaboration with the Institute of Mental Health.

This top-up course will see you complete Stage 2 and the doctorate component of training to become a chartered and registered forensic psychologist.

During this course, you’ll apply your knowledge to forensic psychology research and practice while on placement in forensic environments anywhere in the UK and Ireland. You'll also attend the University of Nottingham for two weeks of block teaching each year (usually October and January). On placement, you'll experience interventions with victims and offenders in the community and secure settings from various client groups.

You can choose to complete this programme in two years through full-time study or four years through part-time study.

Stage 2
During the doctorate component (stage 2), you'll develop skills and competency in four core areas:

conducting psychological assessments and interventions with victims and offenders
case studies, research, and evaluation
communicating knowledge and information to other professionals and clients
training other professionals in psychological skills and methods
At the end of the course, you'll submit:

a ‘practice portfolio’ summarising your forensic practice experience
an ‘academic research thesis’ on a specific area of forensic psychology