Doctor of Forensic Psychology (DForenPsy) (Distance Learning)
Source: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/pg-research/degrees/psychology/dforenpsy/ Parent: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/pg-research/degrees/psychology/
Doctor of Forensic Psychology (DForenPsy) (Distance Learning)
| Degrees Degree types explained | Doctor of Forensic Psychology |
| Duration | Degree duration details |
| Start date | ||
| Location | Streatham Campus | |
| Study modes Study mode details | Full time, 3 years |
Why study Doctor of Forensic Psychology (DForenPsy) (Distance Learning) at Exeter?
- Delivered online (taught element and research) except for one-week, in-person teaching blocks in Exeter at the start of each term (Autumn, Spring and Summer) (see Course content)
- Combining the portfolio expertise in training therapeutic skills with training in complex forensic understanding
- Opportunity to join a programme engaged with a network of forensic providers across different forensic settings
- Commitment to interprofessional learning and development
- Supervisors with extensive experience in forensic and applied psychology
- Commitment to equity, inclusion and promoting diversity
Contact
Email: dforenpsy-exeter-selection\ @exeter.ac.uk
Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72
Apply online (Applications close 25 March 2026)
Internationally respected and fast developing social, environmental and organisational psychology research group, and a major centre for cognitive, clinical and neuroscience research
11th in the UK for internationally excellent research in Psychology
REF 2021 based on 4* and 3* research, submitted to UoA4 Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Top 10 for Psychology in 3 major UK league tables
6th in the Guardian University Guide 2026; 9th in the Complete University Guide 2026; 10th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Extensive research facilities including eye tracking, EEG/ERP and TMS laboratories, audio-visual recording suite and MRI scanner
Accreditations
The Doctor of Forensic Psychology programme is an integrated training programme that combines taught modules, research, and placement-based experiences, designed for aspiring early-career forensic psychologists.
This programme has been approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.
This programme is in the process of accreditation by the BPS.
Supervision
Students have access to senior, research active supervisors and teachers in a range of research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative, with a wide spectrum of research interests. For more information about the course team and their clinical and research interests, see our staff profiles.
You can expect:
• High-quality research supervision to develop and nurture your potential\ • A tailored supervision approach to help best suit your requirements\ • Accessible supervisors who are enthusiastic about working directly with postgraduate research students\ • Regular meetings with your supervisor\ • Regular meetings with your supervisory team, other members of your research group, and mentors
Course content
This exciting new Forensic Doctorate aims to train highly skilled professionals to enable to work in prisons, in the community, and within the criminal justice system. The programme trains students in conducting psychological applications and interventions, research, communicating psychological knowledge to others, and to train other professionals in psychological skills and knowledge. The programme is integrated with our DClinPsy programme ensuring quality teaching in therapeutic skills, as well as providing separate specialist forensic training. It is designed to support students to engage in the dual role of forensic psychologist practitioner and researcher, with students receiving a professional doctorate degree as an output.
Course design
This programme consists of an academic taught element, and research thesis, and placements. The programme aims to develop student competencies across the 4 core roles of a forensic psychologist and the relevant core competencies to practice as a forensic psychologist. The curriculum includes teaching on:
- Assessment & formulation
- Therapy & Intervention skills
- Theories of offending
- Professional issues & ethics
- Mental health & neurodevelopmental disorders
- Risk assessment
- Psychology & the court system
- Psychology, law & criminal justice
- Leadership & consultancy
- Supervision
- Research
Structure and delivery
The programme is delivered across 3 years, with the academic year starting in the last week of September. Students and staff will attend Streatham Campus for a week of block teaching at the start of the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms.
Study days
The expected study days for the programme are Monday and Tuesday . These days are not flexible due to timetabling. Attendance on these days is compulsory for all sessions (whether sessions are online or in person).
Placement
Students may be employed by their organisation however they will be required to gain experience in three different areas across the time span of the programme. This may mean that they are not able to remain with the same employer throughout to facilitate this.
Please note: International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2: view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Please be aware that recent government regulations have changed the required amount of face-to-face teaching for international students completing this course in the UK on a student visa. As most of our teaching is delivered online, we can no longer accept applications from international students who wish to study in the UK on a student visa. However, we are still accepting applications from international students who plan to complete the course from their home country, provided they can secure local placements and a supervisor who is an HCPC-registered psychologist. If there are any applicants who need further information or advice on their status and whether they are permitted to study on a certain visa type, they can email visaadvice@exeter.ac.uk
Collaboration with services
This programme is a collaborative endeavour with service providers. We have worked hard to identify not just the professional requirements of the British Psychological Society, and Health and Care Professions Council, but also to explore with service providers what they need from Forensic Psychologists. In this way students have the opportunity to join a doctorate that is grounded in practice, while also offered by a research-intensive university to gain the best of both dimensions.
DClinPGR Portfolio
The DForenPsy is located within the DClinPGR Portfolio, which offers a range of professional doctorates, providing candidates opportunities to develop interprofessional working skills, and to gain greater insight into people undertaking doctoral training as Health Care Professionals, Psychotherapists and Clinical Psychologists.
Read more
Entry requirements
Graduate Basis for Registration (GBC) confirmed at time of application from the British Psychological Society.
Plus one of the following
- 1st class or 2:1 psychology degree or a non-psychology degree plus completion of an accredited psychology conversion course.
- 2:2 undergraduate psychology degree plus a relevant research Masters, DPhil or PhD.
- 2:2 without a Masters if one of the contextual admissions criteria is met.
You should be able to demonstrate research experience beyond undergraduate (e.g. audit).
You should have relevant experience, preferably at least six months in a forensic setting, or extensive experience in a clinical setting that involves direct client work, that goes beyond just observation.
You should be able to demonstrate an ability to manage conflicting perspectives.
You should have experience of working with groups and managing complex relationships.
You should have an understanding of forensic contexts (minimum criteria of this would be through an observation).
You will need to pass an Enhanced Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) check and obtain occupational health clearance.
We actively welcome applicants from a diversity of backgrounds (e.g., culture, socio-economic status).
International students
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2: view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country
Please be aware that recent government regulations have changed the required amount of face-to-face teaching for international students completing this course in the UK. As most of our teaching is delivered online, we can no longer accept applications from international students who wish to study in the UK. However, we are still accepting applications from international students who plan to complete the course from their home country, provided they can secure placements and a supervisor who is an HCPC-registered psychologist.
APL Eligibility
We are pleased to be able to offer an option for prospective students who hold an MSc in Forensic Psychology (BPS accredited) to APL into Stage 2 of the course.
Students may apply for APL consideration if they meet all of the following criteria:
- A BPS accredited Stage 1 MSc in Forensic Psychology
- Ability to evidence (APEL) 120 days of psychology practice supervised by a HCPC practitioner psychologist
- Achieved a mark of 60% or higher in the MSc dissertation
APL Offers are made in line with the University of Exeter’s published policy - LTS Handbook Chapter 16
Read more
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How to apply
Applications will be through the university. The information below applies to self-funded DForenPsy applicants. In some cases there may be funded places available through healthcare trusts or other organisations. This programme is a distance learning programme and so we cannot provide sponsorship for full time student visas for international students wishing to study within the UK. Apply online.
Key dates
Applications close on 25th March 2026. Successful candidates will be invited for interview and these will be held on Wednesday 22nd , Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th April.
Interviews will be face to face for home students. International students will be invited to an online interview.
Students based in the UK will need to:
- Apply online through the University applications system.
- Complete the application form and include your relevant academic and work history.
- Include a personal statement that covers all of the additional entry information.
- If proceeding to the next stage, attend an interview with the programme team.
Students not based in the UK will need to:
- Identify a HCPC accredited supervisor and Forensic placement in their home country
- Ensure that you meet our English language entry requirements (international students only)
- Apply online
- Complete the application form and include your relevant academic and work history.
- Include a personal statement that covers all of the additional entry information.
- If proceeding to the next stage, attend an interview with the programme team.
We are currently liaising with a number of placement providers throughout England, Wales and Scotland and so we are welcoming applications from a wide range of geographical locations. However, trainees will be required to attend the University for three weeks per year for a of block teaching at the start of each term.
Please note: programmes are subject to minimum enrolment cohort numbers.
DBS checks
All offers are conditional on successful completion of DBS checks (candidates are responsible for organising this) and Occupational Health checks.
Funding
Please note, this is a self-funded course where opportunities for funding are limited and not guaranteed. Please email dforenpsy-exeter-selection@exeter.ac.uk for further details.
Applying
Apply online by 25 March 2026, for September 2026.
Interviews for 2026 will be held on the following dates: Wednesday 22nd April, Thursday 23rd April & Friday 24th April 2026.
We look forward to welcoming you!
What is the reference process?
At the application stage, you can upload a reference if you have been provided one (on letterhead and signed). If you have not got a reference yet, or your referee would prefer to send it to the university direct, you can provide your referee’s email address. When your application is submitted, you will receive a generic email reminding you to upload your reference ASAP, the application portal will remain open to you after the deadline to add a reference.
What if I/ my referee cannot provide a reference by the application deadline?
It is preferred that you provide a reference via the application portal, or via email to PGR Admissions by the time applications close. If it is not possible, that is ok. The university will be in touch. If you are successful, your offer might be on the condition of your reference however so do bear this in mind.
I am providing a reference for an applicant, do you have a template?
Not for this year (2025/26). Please comment on the applicant’s suitability using the entry requirements on this page. Please cover academic ability and working experiences with you.
Fees and funding
In terms of funding we will put you in touch with any partners who may offer funding or sponsorship to trainees, if this becomes available. However, you may also wish to access a student loan. Please ensure you read the PGR Student loans page carefully.
We accept applicants who intend to use Accreditation of Prior Learning to transfer onto this doctoral programme.
Please note: Students are responsible for paying their own accommodation and travel costs when attending block weeks in Exeter.
Fees 2025/26
Tuition fees per year 2025/26
Home:
- £14,600 per year for 3 years
International:
- £26,000 per year for 3 years
Funding opportunities will be provided by the programme as they become available. Please email dforenpsy-exeter-selection@exeter.ac.uk for further details.
Fees 2026/27
Tuition fees per year 2026/27
Home:
- £14,750 per year for 3 years
International:
- £26,250 per year for 3 years
Funding opportunities will be provided by the programme as they become available. Please email dforenpsy-exeter-selection@exeter.ac.uk for further details.
Careers
This degree is an integrated Stage 1 and Stage 2 doctoral programme that on completion will allow you to practise as a Forensic Psychologist, and to be eligible for registration with the HCPC as a Forensic Psychologist. There are a range of different jobs that you will be eligible for on graduation including in prisons, secure services and community locations. There is increasing demand for Forensic Psychologists, making them highly employable. We are working with multiple employers who are keen to employ our graduates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many places are available?
We are expecting to offer a maximum of 20 places this year. Future offers will depend on demand, resources and placements.
Please do not let competition dissuade you from applying; we're really looking forward to hearing from you... and ultimately developing a strong forensic psychologist workforce in the South West and nationally!
What is the application/interview process?
First, you will complete your application online, including a personal statement and reference or referees’ details to comment on your academic and work experience suitability.
Applications will be screened against eligibility criteria, and successful applicants will be invited to an in-person interview via email.
If you are an international student, we can hold the interview online but please note that this is an exceptional circumstance.
Shortly after interviewing, you will hear the outcome of your interview. If you are successful at this stage, you will be given a conditional offer and will have a short timeframe to accept your place.
Offers are subject to satisfactory completion of a DBS and occupational health check, which must be completed prior to starting the programme.
How many times can I apply?
There is no maximum number of times you can apply to the programme.
What position/length of experience within a forensic setting do I need?
A minimum of 6 months in a forensic or forensic-relevant setting that includes experience beyond purely shadowing/observation of a psychologist’s work.
This work could include experience within a variety of settings. For example, within prisons, mental health services, public, private or third-sector organisations.
You do not have to have held an Assistant Psychologist position.
Are there placements available outside of Devon/the South West?
Yes! We have placements across Devon, the South East of England into Wales, Kent, London, the Midlands, Oxford, Birmingham, and Staffordshire. Once we establish which area trainees are based in, we can identify placements in an area suited to you.
We encourage you to apply early to facilitate the process of identifying placements.
Can I make my current role into a placement?
Yes! You could discuss this with your line manager and ask whether they are able to amend your Assistant Psychologist post into a Trainee Forensic Psychologist post.
This would be dependent on your organisation.
Initiate the discussion with them and then put us in touch if we are not already, and we can take the discussions into partnership further.
Do bear in mind that you will need a breadth of experience on placement across the doctorate, which is likely to include working in different settings, and working with different clients, so this may not work for the full programme.
What if my current role is not as an Assistant Psychologist: could this be a placement?
People will arrive at this programme from different circumstances, backgrounds, and employment. We want to support you as best as we can to secure you a place on the programme.
You could be volunteering with an organisation that may wish to take you on as a trainee forensic psychologist, unpaid or sponsored in some way. We can assess each workplace setting as to whether they would meet the criteria to be a placement.
The best first step is to initiate the discussion with your organisation to see what they could offer.
How do I put my organisation in touch with you?
Ask them to email the programme’s admin team at dforenpsy-exeter-selection@exeter.ac.uk.
Are placements paid?
There are currently a limited number of paid placements. This is expected to vary year by year. We are continually liaising with our placement providers about sponsoring and funding trainees.
You may be able to negotiate support from your employer if you are working in a relevant setting.
How far will I be expected to travel for my placement?
We will try our best to locate your placement as close as possible to where you are based, but this is not guaranteed. However, there is an expectation that you travel to your placement, much like with placements on other professional doctorates and clinical training programmes.
Can I study this professional doctorate part-time?
Not yet. We have started discussions about offering a part-time provision in future. Watch this space!
I am an international student...
I am an international student: how do I find out about funding opportunities specific to me?
While we cannot offer advice on funding to all potential trainees, if you are an international student, we can offer a discussion to see what funding is available to you, as each experience is unique. Sometimes your government might be able to provide funding. Sometimes there are different organisations that support international students. Have a look around, talk to your current employer and then get in touch with us: dforenpsy-exeter-selection@exeter.ac.uk.
I am an international student: would I be able to complete placements in my country?
You can complete placements in your own country, however, you do need to do this with an approved HCPC registered supervisor, following the course guidance. We would also need to approve the placement and check that it is appropriate for gaining competencies.
You may wish to register in a different country on completion. In these circumstances, we would need to discuss this with you individually.
What if I have an MSc (BPS Stage 1) in Forensic Psychology?
What if I have an MSc (BPS Stage 1) in Forensic Psychology?
We are currently developing this route into the programme.
If you have a BPS-accredited MSc in Forensic Psychology /BPS Stage 1, you may be able join our programme and ‘fast-track’ into year 2 in the future. We will update our information as soon as this route becomes available.
Please note, fast track routes may impact on your eligibility for the doctoral loan.
Are you offering a route into the doctorate for people who have Stage 1 and Stage 2?
Not currently. We are looking at developing this route in the future. We will update our information if this route becomes available.
Meanwhile if you have any queries, email us at dforenpsy-exeter-selection@exeter.ac.uk.
I am a qualified clinical psychologist: can I become joint qualified by studying this programme?
Not currently. We are looking at developing this route in the future.
We will update our information if this route becomes available.
Meanwhile if you have any queries, email us at dforenpsy-exeter-selection@exeter.ac.uk.
How are trainees allocated to their research supervisors?
Like our other professional doctorate programmes here at Exeter, we provide a pack of information about supervisors and potential projects/interests on arrival.
You will identify your preferences and we will use this to allocate you a suitable supervisor before the end of the first term.
Allocations will depend on the capacity and popularity of supervisors.
Quite a lot of the learning on this programme is online: is there any support in place?
We have spaced out three in-person weeks of teaching throughout the year, one per term, to support building relationships within your cohort. Our experience suggests that these regularly spaced face-to-face events support the bonding of students online.
We use a range of online approaches including break-out rooms to facilitate relationships.
We hope you will look forward to the block weeks to catch up and arrange any social events.
We work with you to identify trainee reps, and will hold regular Post Graduate Liaison Forums to discuss how learning is working.
Throughout the rest of the year, you will meet with your cohort online for teaching sessions (live, not recorded), which will include seminars and group discussions. We will hold regular peer reflective practice spaces online throughout the year.
We are keen to develop the best programme possible, so will be regularly asking for trainee feedback as well.
My question has not been answered in these FAQs: who can I talk to?
Please do email the programme’s admin team at dforenpsy-exeter-selection@exeter.ac.uk.