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The Level 7 Diploma in Forensic Sexology is a one-year, post-qualifying programme for qualified talk therapists who want to develop specialist knowledge and clinical skills in this demanding field.
Teaching brings together psychotherapy, clinical sexology, forensic psychology and criminology to support thoughtful assessment, risk management and therapeutic work with problematic, harmful or offending sexual and relational behaviours.
The diploma runs part time over one year and comprises 12 weekend modules across 24 teaching days. Eight weekends are delivered in person and four are delivered through live online teaching. The first intake begins in January 2027, and applications are open. The in-person venue will be confirmed separately.
Students also complete 240 hours of guided independent study. The programme has 460 Total Qualification Time.
Students must complete 60 hours of supervised forensic and psychosexual clinical practice, normally involving at least two or three suitable cases. Every placement must meet the course requirements and relevant COSRT guidance and must be approved by IoPP before the clinical work is counted.
Students are responsible for identifying, applying for and securing a suitable placement.
The curriculum develops an integrated understanding of sexual behaviour, forensic systems and therapeutic practice.
Foundations of forensic sexology, sexual development and the ways sexual behaviour may become problematic or harmful.
Patterns of sexual offending and the different pathways that can lead to harmful behaviour.
Trauma, attachment, psychopathology and their relevance to assessment and formulation.
Legal and sentencing frameworks, including the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Structured approaches to risk assessment, formulation and risk management.
MAPPA, probation services and wider public-protection arrangements.
Therapeutic approaches for people who present with problematic, harmful or offending sexual behaviour.
Working with denial, cognitive distortions, shame and barriers to engagement.
Relationship dynamics and the implications for partners, couples and families.
Forensic report writing, professional evidence and communication across agencies.
Ethical decision-making, complex cases and integration of advanced practice.
Learning is anchored in realistic cases, professional reflection and supervised clinical experience. Students are supported to:
Develop balanced formulations that integrate sexual, relational, psychological, social and risk information.
Communicate risk and clinical reasoning clearly to clients, supervisors and other professionals.
Build therapeutic engagement while maintaining firm ethical and safeguarding boundaries.
Use supervision and reflective practice to recognise uncertainty, bias and the limits of professional competence.
Work constructively within multidisciplinary and public-protection systems.
Students demonstrate their learning through a combination of written, practical and integrative assessment:
A 4,000-word forensic case formulation.
A 3,000-word structured assessment report.
A reflective practice portfolio.
An observed clinical-skills task.
A final integrative case presentation and viva.
To receive the Level 7 Diploma in Forensic Sexology, students must:
Meet the programme’s attendance and participation requirements.
Successfully complete every assessed component.
Complete 60 hours of supervised practice in an IoPP-approved placement.
Provide satisfactory placement and supervision evidence.
Demonstrate safe, ethical and reflective practice throughout the programme.
This is advanced post-qualifying specialist training. The diploma does not itself confer a new professional registration, and graduates must continue to work within the scope of their existing registration, competence, insurance and any requirements set by employers or professional bodies.
Applicants must already be qualified to practise as talk therapists and must hold current professional registration that confers the right to practise in the UK, or an equivalent registration in their home country. Relevant registrations may include bodies such as BACP, NCPS, HCPC, BABCP and UKCP.
Applicants must provide evidence of their qualifying talk-therapy training, professional registration and readiness for specialist forensic study. Admission decisions consider the relevance of the applicant’s training and current scope of practice.
International talk therapists are welcome to apply. They must travel to the UK for all eight in-person teaching weekends. An overseas placement may be considered where it meets the course requirements and relevant COSRT guidance and has been approved by IoPP in advance.
The total fee is £2,800. Payment may be made with a £300 deposit followed by ten monthly instalments of £250.
Applications are open for the January 2027 intake. Complete the existing online application form using the button below. If you would prefer to complete the form in Microsoft Word, please email IoPP and ask us to send you a Word version.
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’re here to help!