MSc Forensic Psychology or MSc Criminal Investigation?

"CON - Not BPS accredited so I don't think it would allow me to work towards being a BPS Chartered Forensic Psychologist." - I'm pretty sure as long as your UG degree was BPS accredited, your Master's doesn't need to be as well as you will already hold GBC. If this is the case, you wouldn't be limited from eventually pursuing the DFornPsy and becoming a chartered Forensic Psychologist if option 2 is better suited to you now.

Tagging @bones-mccoy and @Lord Asriel as I think their input will prove particularly helpful!

Hi there,

I'm stuck between two courses/pathways and wanted some advice for people who have studied/are studying psychology-related courses, particularly postgrad.

I did BSc Psychology (Hons) almost 3 years ago and I'm currently trying to decide between the following two options:

Option 1: MSc Forensic Psychology and Criminology
PRO - BPS accredited. I can work towards becoming a Chartered Forensic Psychologist by doing the MSc and then 2 years of training afterwards. Broader range of opportunities (I am assuming) ahead.
CON - Long and expensive process.

Option 2: MSc Criminal Investigation
PRO - Follows the PIP qualification standards (e.g. for police, NCA, etc.). Cheaper than MSc Forensic Psych and less time-consuming. Specific to investigative work.
CON - Not BPS accredited so I don't think it would allow me to work towards being a BPS Chartered Forensic Psychologist.


I have toddler twins and a busy life with them. Don't have loads of money to throw at my education at the moment as we have other priorities but I really want to get back into academia and eventually work in Child Protection/NCA-related work. That's my (sort of) long-term plan.

Any advice from anyone who's been through the process already? I'm really stuck and want to apply ASAP.


Thank you!

Thank you @ChangeDirection - I didn't know that!

Also thank you @bones-mccoy, that was helpful. I'm just getting a bit anxious/confused because now I'm wondering if Forensic Psychology is the route for me... I'm leaning towards doing the MSc Criminal Investigation for now and then deciding on a Psychologist route afterwards. Funnily enough, I've only just gotten interested in ForenPsych. It used to be either Educational or Clinical for me. But the main thing I want to do is child protection so... I don't even know.

Thank you both, I'll continue looking into this to make a decision.

No problem

In all fairness, you don't have to become a Forensic Psychologist after doing the MSc, it's just the only MSc you can do if you that's the role you 100% want to go into. Plenty of people end up working in probation, offender management, as a prison officer, interventions facilitator, restorative justice practitioner, or research after completing a Forensic Psychology MSc.

MSc Criminal Investigation sounds really interesting as well though, it's such a difficult choice!

Thanks for humouring my utter confusion, I appreciate the help.

The only thing that attracts me to Criminal Investigation is the direct link/modules on child protection and the process of an investigation. I wouldn’t say it’s easier but it’s definitely more straightforward than ForenPsych which would include modules on quantitative methods, qualitative research, etc. I’ve been looking at the course content and MSc CI is also based on PIP which makes it really relevant.

Hmmm. I might just apply to both and see what happens along the way.


If anyone else has any advice on these two pathways then do add it here, would love to hear more from forensic psychologists!

Hi there,

I'm stuck between two courses/pathways and wanted some advice for people who have studied/are studying psychology-related courses, particularly postgrad.

I did BSc Psychology (Hons) almost 3 years ago and I'm currently trying to decide between the following two options:

Option 1: MSc Forensic Psychology and Criminology
PRO - BPS accredited. I can work towards becoming a Chartered Forensic Psychologist by doing the MSc and then 2 years of training afterwards. Broader range of opportunities (I am assuming) ahead.
CON - Long and expensive process.

Option 2: MSc Criminal Investigation
PRO - Follows the PIP qualification standards (e.g. for police, NCA, etc.). Cheaper than MSc Forensic Psych and less time-consuming. Specific to investigative work.
CON - Not BPS accredited so I don't think it would allow me to work towards being a BPS Chartered Forensic Psychologist.


I have toddler twins and a busy life with them. Don't have loads of money to throw at my education at the moment as we have other priorities but I really want to get back into academia and eventually work in Child Protection/NCA-related work. That's my (sort of) long-term plan.

Any advice from anyone who's been through the process already? I'm really stuck and want to apply ASAP.


Thank you!