Forensic Psychology (Practitioner Programme) - PgD

Ethical and Professional Practice (year 1)

This module aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and professional experience essential competent practitioners in Psychology. The aims of the module are in line with the wider aims of the programme which are to;

• Develop advanced reflective practitioners of forensic psychology with the wellbeing of service users as a priority.
• Develop the students' professional autonomy and accountability in practice.
• Enhance the students' skills and abilities in developing and maintaining a range of professional relationships including the support and supervision of professionals.
• Build on the students' ability to critically evaluate the impact of, or response to, their professional actions.
• Develop the students' understanding of, and ability to ensure, a safe practice environment.

Advanced Applied Research (year 1)

The aim of this module is to equip students with the knowledge, skills and professional experience essential for competent practitioners of forensic psychology, as advanced consumers of research. This is consistent with the scientist-practitioner model of applied practice. The applied research report may be compiled of original research or a critical evaluation of empirical evidence to guide practice, in the form of a rapid evidence assessment or systematic review. The aims of the module are in line with the wider aims of the programme which are:

• Develop the students' ability and confidence to apply research to their practice in a professional and accountable manner.
• Extend and enhance the students' ability to identify and assess the potential to apply psychological knowledge, practice or research skills to extend the knowledge or practice at forefront of the discipline.
• Develop and enhance the students' ability to formulate, deliver and evaluate research towards meeting a variety of practice or organisational needs responding to the ever changing and complex needs of the environment.

Teaching and Training (year 2)

This module aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and professional experience essential to competent practitioners in psychology when undertaking teaching or training. The aims of the module are to;

• Develop reflective practitioners of psychology who apply psychology professionally in relation to teaching or training.
• Extend and enhance the students' ability to identify and evaluate the potential for training or teaching as advanced practitioners.
• Develop and enhance the students' ability to formulate and deliver plans and strategies towards meeting a variety of teaching or training needs and thus provide innovation in the applied psychology field.

Consultancy (year 2)

This module aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and professional experience essential for competent practitioners in psychology when undertaking consultancy. The aims of the module are in line with the wider aims of the programme which are to:

• Develop the students' ability and confidence to deliver consultancy in a professional and accountable manner & paying particular attention to considerations of equality, diversity & inclusion.
• Extend and enhance the students' ability to identify and assess the potential for psychological consultancy and manage the relevant professional relationships, extending the forefront of the discipline.
• Develop and enhance the students' ability to formulate, deliver and evaluate plans and strategies towards meeting a variety of consultancy needs responding to the ever changing and complex needs of the environment.

Professional Portfolio in Forensic Psychology (year 3)

This module aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and professional experience essential competent practitioners in Forensic Psychology: This overarching aim can be delineated into a series of subsidiary aims that are to:

• Develop advanced reflective practitioners of forensic psychology who apply psychology professionally with their service users.
• Develop the students' professional autonomy and accountability.
• Enhance the students' skills and abilities in developing and maintaining a range of professional relationships including the support and supervision of professionals.
• Extend and enhance the students' ability to identify and assess forensic psychology issues and apply this extensively in practice.
• Develop and enhance the students' ability to formulate and deliver plans and strategies towards meeting a variety of needs.
• Build on the students' ability to critically evaluate the impact of, or response to, their professional actions.
• Extend on the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired from the BPS accredited MSc in Forensic Psychology.
• Empower the students to apply their theoretical expertise, acquired during the BPS accredited MSc in Forensic Psychology and during their current study, to their professional practice.
• Develop the students' understanding of, and ability to ensure, a safe practice environment.

Professional Portfolio in Forensic Psychology (2) (year 3)

This module aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and professional experience essential competent practitioners in Forensic Psychology: This overarching aim can be delineated into a series of subsidiary aims that are to:

• Develop the students' professional autonomy and accountability.
• Extend on the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired from the BPS accredited MSc in Forensic Psychology.
• Empower the students to apply their theoretical expertise, acquired during the BPS accredited MSc in Forensic Psychology and during their current study, to their professional practice.
• Develop the students' understanding of, and ability to ensure, a safe practice environment.
• Develop reflective scientist practitioners who are working towards autonomous practice as forensic psychologists.

​​Our students are placement based and the programme follows an apprenticeship model, where students work under the supervision of a qualified forensic psychologist and aim to demonstrate their developing competency in the areas identified as relevant to the role (HCPC Standards of Proficiency). So, the primary mode of learning on this programme will be through supervised practice.

To support the learning of students we also offer workshops. Some of the workshops are compulsory and mean that students need to attend Cardiff for 9 days over the course of their study with us.

We make no apology when stating that this course is challenging and will require a great deal of investment from students in order to complete it. Our students on placement (not employed by placement provider) we expect to be in placement 4 days a week and spend an additional one day in study. It is very much a full time programme of study and whilst there are part time options, the commitment is something we urge applicants to consider. Students who use their employment as a placement for the programme are encouraged to consider their ability to meet the requirements of this study time.

Students are provided with a supervisory team which is comprised of a work placement supervisor (we refer to this supervisor as the clinical supervisor) and a supervisor from the University (we refer to this supervisor as an academic supervisor). Both of these supervisors will be forensic psychologists, except in exceptional circumstances where the course leader has approved a different arrangement. Both supervisors will provide support to the student and will encourage their development and provide pastoral support. Additional support is provided through the Peer Mentors, other students who are a step further along the process.

Students are assessed for competency and professionalism, these issues are reviewed in tri-partite supervision sessions every quarter for full time students. There are 6 modules that students will complete. The largest of these are the Portfolio modules where students will gather exemplars of their work with forensic psychology service users following the processes of assessment, intervention, evaluation and recommendation. Additionally, students will complete four reflective report modules on aspects of their practice; Functional Assessment and Formulation, Ethical and Professional Practice, Teaching and Training and Consultancy. See Course Content tab for more information.

The purpose of the Level 8 PG Dip in Practitioner Forensic Psychology is to allow students to progress on from​ master's level study towards Practitioner status, thereby boosting their employability. At the end of the programme successful students can apply to the HCPC to be registered as Forensic Psychologists. This course is essentially for students who wish to progress on to clinical work within forensic settings or more widely with forensic clients. The programme is placement based and provides supervised support towards developing the competencies required to be an autonomous practitioner.

100% of the graduates from this programme are employed as Forensic Psychologists and so working in professional roles within a variety of organisations in the UK. Some of our graduates may consider returning to complete the Doctorate in Forensic Psychology (Top-Up) once they have decided which area they would like to specialise in.

Applicants will be expected to have a BPS accredited Undergraduate degree and a BPS accredited Master's degree in Forensic Psychology (or equivalence of BPS Stage 1 training in forensic psychology). In addition to the academic qualifications detailed above, applicants will be expected to demonstrate extensive experience in applied forensic psychology. This can be demonstrated by being employed as a forensic psychologist in training, or a similar role where you have practiced, under supervision, forensic psychology with forensic service users. We recommend at least 1 year (full time) experience in these roles.

We do accept Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for this programme and our rules of applying this mean we accept prior certified learning. This means that students may demonstrate that they have already demonstrated competency in areas assessed within this programme. Generally this will mean they can demonstrate that they have submitted, been assessed and passed aspects of a similar (HCPC Approved) programme in forensic psychology training. RPL is assessed individually and applicants should contact the Course Director with evidence of their RPL for further guidance.

Students will be asked to consent to participation in role-play activities during the workshops associated with the programmes. Students unable to consent to such activities will be required to work with the programme team to achieve a suitable alternative experience. Students will need to able to evidence English language skills of IELTS level 7 with a minimum of 6.5 on each subtest.

Before starting the programme, students must have an approved placement where appropriate supervised experience is offered by the placement site. For some students, their employment can be used as the placement (e.g. forensic psychologists in training employed by justice or health organisations). We support students who have been offered a place on the programme to find suitable placement opportunities. Students on placements where they are not employed by their placement provider will be expected to take out appropriate liability insurance at their own cost. The cost of liability insurance for students on placement varies, but should be less than £100.00 per year for most applicants.

International Applicants

Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an academic IELTS 7.0 standard with no sub score lower than 6.5, or equivalent.​ For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

How to Apply:
Applications should be made direct to the University via our Self Service facility and requires a mandatory Personal Statement, MSc Forensic Psychology (or BPS stage 1) degree certificate, BSc Psychology degree certificate from a BPS accredited course and two completed references from qualified Forensic Psychologists that have observed your practice (reference template here). All must be uploaded with your online application before the deadline​ of 10th December 2024.

Further information about the mandatory information can also be accessed directly via www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/practitionerforensic.

If you are interesting in using credit from another institution or that obtained from qualifications or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page.​

The mandatory information outlined above ​will be used to assess your suitability for invitation to the Assessment Centre.

For His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service applicants only:
If you are employed by HMPPS and have financial support to apply to the programme, please choose the Commercial programme being -Postgraduate Diploma in Practitioner Forensic Psychology (Commercial) 11858 within the application self service system. This ONLY applies to people employed by HMPPS, all other applicants should follow the general application process. If you have any questions please contact Admissions at askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk or ring 029 2041 6040.

Selection Procedure:
Selection is normally based on a completed online application form and interview.

Further information on the DBS requirement for this programme can be found at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/DBS. Students who are not using their current employment for their entire placement will also need to engage with an Occupational Health screening process.

PLEASE NOTE: Liability insurance:

If offered a place on the programme students must ensure they have appropriate liability insurance. If students are employed by placement providers in an appropriate role, which covers all core competencies of the programme, it is probable they will be covered by their employer and students are required to provide details of this cover. If students are voluntarily on placement they will need to take out professional liability insurance which costs less than £100.00 per year. The University will ask students to sign a form to indicate they are covered, and that they will be responsible for renewing it when appropriate.

Tuition Fees and Financial Support:
For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available. Please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email directapplications@cardiffmet.ac.uk

For course specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Director, Nic Bowes:
Email: nbowes@cardiffmet.ac.uk