Master of Psychology in Forensic Psychology

Course Title

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

4 Semesters

120 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Applicants must be proficient in the Maltese language and be in possession of either:

a Bachelor degree in Psychology with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division), or an equivalent qualification from this or another university or
a Bachelor degree in Psychology with at least Second Class Honours (Lower Division), together with a Masterҳ degree in Psychology-related areas from this or another University or
a Bachelor degree in Psychology or a Bachelor degree with Psychology as a main area of study, in both cases obtained with at least Category IIA or another degree in a related area deemed relevant by the Board of Studies obtained with at least Second Class (Honours)(Upper Division),

provided that all applicants applying in terms of this paragraph would either have obtained 60 ECTS credits in Psychology, as approved by the Board, following the award of their degree, or have obtained the Higher Diploma in Psychology with at least Pass with Merit, which together with their degree are deemed to be comparable to the qualification indicated in paragraph (a).

In addition to the qualifications listed above, applicants are also required to have either:

a minimum of 2400 hours of experience in a clinical or counselling or educational or forensic or health or neuropsychology setting, or
a minimum of 1200 hours of experience in a clinical or counselling or educational or forensic or health or neuropsychology setting, under the supervision of a warranted psychologist. This experience should normally be obtained after applicants have been awarded the qualification indicated in the above paragraphs.

Professional aptitude and disposition shall be measured by means of exercises involving

role play with a client,
group discussion, and
personal interview.

Applicants who obtain less than 60% for the professional aptitude and disposition criterion shall automatically not be admitted into the Course.

The maximum number of students that can be admitted into the course is 4 students.

Requires the submission of a Police Certificate of Conduct.

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Applications for our February and October intakes have been officially open since the third week in November. You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

The course equips you with the necessary knowledge, values, attitudes and skills to practise as a forensic psychologist. Firstly, the taught component of the course addresses key issues in forensic psychology ranging from the understanding of criminal conduct and exploration of specific types of offending, to assessment and intervention with criminal offenders, to understanding the intersection between psychology and the law and the implications for the criminal justice system. Secondly, you have 9 hours of supervised field placement per week throughout the course to develop the professional values, ethics, attitudes and skills to address the various psychological issues emergent in forensic settings. Thirdly, you are also provided with training in research including the submission of a dissertation. The Master of Psychology in Forensic Psychology programme is the only route in Malta through which, when followed by two years of supervised practice, you can obtain a warrant to practice as Forensic Psychologists.


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

CRI5005	Socio-Psychological Issues in the Criminal Justice System	10 ECTS
PSY5608	Research Methods	10 ECTS
PSY5633	Core Placement 1: Forensic Psychology	10 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

PSY5635	Understanding Criminal Conduct 1: An Introduction	5 ECTS
PSY5659	Development Psychopathology	5 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

PSY5614	Leading Groups in Professional Settings	5 ECTS
PSY5636	Understanding Criminal Conduct 2	5 ECTS
PSY5637	Special Topics in Forensic Psychology	5 ECTS
PSY5660	Adult Psychopathology	5 ECTS


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

PSY5593	Dissertation	30 ECTS
PSY5638	Core Placement 2 Forensic Psychology	10 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

PSY5618	Psychotherapeutic Approaches: CBT, Ethics and Psychopharmacology	5 ECTS
PSY5619	Clinical Neuropsychology – Theory and Practice	5 ECTS
PSY5639	Forensic Assessment	5 ECTS
PSY5640	Psychological Interventions with Offenders	5 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the degree of Master of Psychology in Forensic Psychology - M.Psy. (For.) - under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles underlying quantitative and qualitative research.
Critically describe and differentiate between various disabilities and disorders of childhood and adolescence.
Analyse group processes occurring in psychological groups.
Contribute to the various initiatives provided by forensic psychologists within the specific organisation in which you are placed in.
Discern which method of psychotherapeutic intervention is applicable for specific clients and conditions.
Make critical decisions regarding the purpose of assessments, tools to use, how to interpret and report findings.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 21,600
Yr 1: Eur 10,800 - Yr 2: Eur 10,800

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

As a Forensic Psychologist within the local context, you may find gainful employment within the courts, the police, in prevention of offending, treatment of offending within custodial and non-custodial settings, substance abuse intervention, research and innovation, policy making and academia. The Master of Psychology in Forensic Psychology also provides access to doctoral programmes in psychology both locally and overseas.

https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/pmpsyfopftt5-2023-4-o/