Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies BA (Hons)

Introduction

Location

De Montfort University, Leicester UK. You may also have to attend Inter-Professional Education (IPE) sessions and community experiences that are not necessarily based at the university.

Course Length

Institution code: D26
UCAS course code: 5LN3
Duration: Three years full-time
Start date: September 2023

APPLY NOW

Why choose this course?

Key features

 This programme is taught by experienced practice-based policing and criminology academics and researchers, who will help broaden your understanding of the sector while keeping you up to date with contemporary issues and debates.

 You will study a range of modules including Introduction to Criminology, The Profession of Policing, Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing, Investigative Management and Leadership, and Multi-Agency Working.

 Take advantage of placement opportunities with a local investigatory agency offered through our Careers Team, which will help enhance your employability through offering real-world experience alongside your studies.

 Previous graduates have landed roles at local authority Trading Standards, the Leicestershire Police investigations teams and the Independent Police Complaints Authority, National Crime Agency and within fraud and intelligence departments of high profile retail businesses.

 Gain international experience and apply your knowledge to a global context through our DMU Global programme. Previously, our Criminal investigation and Policing students have had the opportunity to visit destinations such as New York, where they were taught about the differences and similarities between the policing system in the US and the UK.

 Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.

Overview

Our Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies course teaches the skills required for ethical professional practice. It is the ideal choice if you are interested in studying policing and criminal investigation but do not necessarily wish to pursue a career in the police service.

The level and depth of knowledge and understanding taught, develops a high level of critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving, but also the necessary skills required for a criminal investigator in the criminal justice or private sector.

Taught by policing and criminology academics with significant practical experience of criminal justice practice, the modules are diverse and specifically tailored to the needs of a criminal investigation career.
In Year one 3 modules will be shared with criminology students which will provide a different perspective on policing focusing more on the causation of crime.

Year two is where you begin to specialise in your chosen field with a module dedicated to the leadership and management of criminal investigation. This module carries through to year three and becomes more intense and specialised. You also have the option of choosing two 15 credit elective modules in year two which will again be shared with criminology students.

Modules

Year 1

• The Profession of Policing and Investigation - explores the origins and different approaches to policing before moving on to study decision-making in operational policing, public order policing and criminal investigation
• Studying at University – this module examines the skills required to study at University. Research skills, academic writing and theoretical knowledge and understanding will be developed to the level required.
• Journey through Justice - examines the roles of the various agencies that constitute to the criminal justice system, their relationship and impact upon offenders, victims and society
• Principles of Social Research - explores the field of criminology and social sciences, including its emergence as one of the dominant fields within the field of applied social sciences.

In the second year, all students study the following modules and select one of the electives illustrated below.

Year 2

• Investigative Management and Leadership (I) - this module develops throughout the final two years and examine concepts, debates and decision-making around topical areas within four themes; theory and context, volume crime, forensic science, and major enquiries. Decision-making, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills will be explored and developed throughout this module to provide an effective and efficient investigative mindset.
• Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing (I) - these are linked modules that develop throughout the final two years and examine concepts, debates and decision-making around topical areas within four themes; policing 21st century UK, policing vulnerable groups, doing policing and microscope on policing
• Research and Ethics (15 credits) - this is a preparatory module for the final year dissertation and studies the identification of research questions, research strategy, various research methods and research ethics with particular regard to conducting research into the police and the criminal justice system
• Researching Justice Journey (30 credits) – this provides knowledge and understanding of research and explores a diverse range of theory and research methodologies.

Choose one Elective - options currently include:

• Domestic Violence and Abuse - This module considers the changing social, political and legal recognition of domestic violence and abuse and its impact. Students are encouraged to engage in an examination of the varying context, nature, signs, triggers and impact of domestic violence and abuse. The module highlights social and health care responsibilities as well as developments within the criminal justice sector, and legal and civil proceedings frameworks. Students will be required to compare and contrast the various responses to domestic violence abuse which have emerged both in terms of working with victims and perpetrators as part of the emerging best practice debate, including multi agency frameworks such as MARAC. Key concepts such as support, safety, empowerment and resolution are revisited throughout the module.
• Animals and Criminology – This module covers the different ways in which animals are the topic of criminological examination. Students will be introduced to a broad range of topic areas such as animal abuse, wildlife trafficking, conservation, and animal advocacy and will critically explore if and what harm to animals drawing from research from subjects including criminology, sociology, law, and philosophy.
• Children and the Criminal Justice System – this module presents academic research, knowledge and understanding in an accessible way that better equips students to explore and discuss contemporary issues for children and the criminal justice system, across community and custody contexts.
• Genocides, Mass Atrocities and Hate Crime –This module explores a range of genocides and mass atrocities (where genocidal type actions have taken place but have not been legally defined as genocide, or where killings have taken place along identity-based cleavages.) Students will understand the issues around defining genocide and in establishing what is and isn’t a genocide, and what this means in terms of prevention, intervention and justice. They will examine theoretical frameworks underpinning genocides, mass atrocities and hate crime, learning how to analyse genocides and mass atrocities through a criminology lens. Students will develop the skills to explain complex events accurately and concisely, whilst avoiding oversimplification. The module will also enable students to understand the underlying societal, political and legal movements and frameworks at macro and meso level that enable genocides and mass atrocities to take place, and to connect these to meso and micro level hate crime.
• Introduction to Probation – This module explores what is probation and where it sits within the wider criminal justice system and justice journey’s. From here, students will discover the aims and objectives of the probation service, organisational structures, and the roles it plays in rehabilitation, risk management and the protection of the public. Students will then reflect on the tensions and debates on the values and ethics of the organization. In turn, students will explore how these values and ethics can and do impact how probation works in practice. Students will understand the historical context of probation as well as current developments to appraise concepts of effective practice including what works and desistance. Students will then identify critiques of inter-agency working including benefits and challenges. Finally, the overall module will consistently address concepts of power, diversity, and discrimination as it relates to effective probation practice
• Restorative Justice in Practice - This module will be relevant to students interested in working with offenders and/or victims in a community justice setting. This module will explore the various origins and applications of Restorative Justice and the critical theoretical analysis which has followed. Whilst some focus will be on the application and impact of restorative process on victims, students will additionally be encouraged to consider the key values of offender rehabilitation and theory in the context of modern criminal justice systems that put victims’ needs at the center. An emphasis will be on a practical approach to these skills to support both victim and offender. An exploration of how the rights and needs of victims, communities and offenders are identified and addressed will be a central tenant of the module learning, as will the examination of the key skills required by RJ facilitators, offender managers and victim case workers.
• Drugs, Crime and Society - This module will explore the relationship between alcohol and other drugs (AOD), and crime. The overall aim of the module is to provide students with an understanding of how UK and international drug policy, localised drug usage and the international trade in both legal and illegal drugs are related. The module is divided into three core sections. The first will explore AODs in context - the socio-cultural history of AODs and the ways in which AODs have been used historically, by different societies and cultures. In addition, this first section will traverse the geopolitical landscape, to understand the ways in which ideological, global forces have shaped the contemporary alcohol industry and (licit and illicit) drug trade. The second section will explore AOD use theory, (E.g., critical theories, functional theories, normalisation theory, drug binaries, medical perspectives, etc) and will cover important AOD policy. Specifically, policy in relation to the regulation and criminalisation of certain drugs in the UK and the subsequent ways in which such policies, have come to shape the ways in which society perceives AOD users (E.g., myths, stigmatisation, negative stereotypes) and indeed, AOD associated criminality. The third section will look at the harms associated with AOD use, and the ways in which society treats and manages offenders with AOD use disorders. This section will also seek to critically explore crucial debates within AOD discourse, such as, the ongoing debate around prohibition vs decriminalisation vs legalisation and whether problematic AOD use should be considered a matter of criminal justice or rather, public health (as is the case in Portugal)

The range of elective modules available are subject to change and are dependent on student numbers enrolled and could be withdrawn without prior notice due to limited numbers.

Similarly, in the third year, all students study the following modules plus one additional module depending upon the pathway selected.

Year 3

• Multi-Agency Working International Perspectives - considers the development and theoretical context of multi-agency working and what this means for local community working, public protection and wider partnership collaboration. The module also explores local, national and international investigative mechanisms and the challenges associated with a multi-agency approach taking into consideration organisational and political cultures and differing criminal justice systems and processes on an international level.
• Dissertation - this is a 10,000-word structured piece of academic writing at Level 6 based upon a research study of your choice that can inform evidence-based policing and the investigation of crime.
• Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing (II) - this is the second part of the linked module that examines concepts, debates and decision-making around topical areas within four themes; policing 21st century UK, policing vulnerable groups, doing policing, and microscope on policing.
• Investigative Management and Leadership (II) – this module expands significantly from year two to develop management level decision-making, critical-thinking, problem-solving and investigative mindset skills. Students will engage in the investigation and management of major crime using the skills and knowledge developed through year 2.

Entry Criteria

ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.

IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry criteria

GCSEs

 Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including English Language or English Literature and Maths*

Plus one of the following:

A levels

 A minimum of 112 points for the BA (Hons) from at least two A levels

T Levels

 Merit

BTEC

 BTEC National Diploma - Distinction/Merit/Merit
 BTEC Extended Diploma - Distinction/Merit/Merit

Access to HE Diploma

 Pass in QAA accredited Access to HE overall 112 UCAS tariff with at least 30 Level 3 credits at Merit.
 English GCSE required as separate qualification. Equivalency not accepted within the Access qualification. We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.

International Baccalaureate: 24+ points

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Interview required: No
Work experience required: No

Applications from mature students for this programme are welcome and candidates with relevant work experience and other qualifications, which do not necessarily amount to the minimum entry requirements for the programme will be considered on a case by case basis. Requirements for these students would include an interview and the consideration of the candidate’s CVs by the programme leader. Alongside this, the student would also be required to submit a piece of work to indicate the their abilities to write and engage at an appropriate level. A diagnostic test would be given with regards to Level 2 Functional Skills.

Assessment

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Teaching and assessments

A variety of teaching methods, include:

 Lectures
 Case studies
 Seminars
 Desk-top exercises
 Workshops
 E-learning
 Specialist guest lectures from practitioners (subject to availability)
 Visits to practitioners in action (subject to availability)

Assessment methods include:

 Essays
 Examinations
 Phase Tests
 Presentations
 Posters
 Case-study critiques
 Desk-top, simulated exercises
 Policy books
 Research Proposal
 Dissertation

All of which will be developed as you progress through the course.

Your precise timetable will depend on your Modules. However, typical teaching time is approximately 9 hours each week for programme specific modules and will be taught by way of block teaching. Criminology modules may differ.

In addition, you will also be expected to achieve approximately 20 hours of self-directed study. You may also be given additional work by Module Leaders to aid your development, particularly with regard Assessments.

Teaching contact hours

Contact hours in a typical week will depend to some extent on the optional modules you choose to study. However, typically you will have up to 9 contact hours of teaching and this will break down as:

Medium group teaching: approx. 1 hour of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week (depending on the module)

Large group teaching: 9+ hours of lectures each week

Personal study: approx. 20 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using hand-outs, online activities, etc.

In the second year you may also have the opportunity (subject to availability) to complete an 80-hour community placement.

Teaching expertise

Include evidence-based practice, policing, investigation, terrorism, transnational organised crime.

Accreditations:

Membership of overseas organisations: i.e. Society for Terrorism Research

Fellowship of Higher Education Academy

Associate Editors of Journals in the field and specialist journals.

Research Fellows of overseas organisations: i.e. European Foundation for South Asia Studies

Other Expertise:

External Examiners at other HEIs
Independent Assessors at other HEIs

Career Opportunities

Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a paid placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice.

This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Our Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

Graduate careers

Policing: students are encouraged to apply to become Special Constables during their study. Past students have successfully gained entry to the local and other forces. This affords students opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills set in a practice-based environment enhancing their experiential learning.

Criminal Investigation: some students have gone on to postgraduate study on the Degree Holder Entry Programme for both the policing and detective pathways (DHEP & CIDHEP). The CIDHEP allows them direct entry as a trainee detective to any police force in England and Wales. The DHEP allows entry as a police constable to any police force in England and Wales that are recruiting onto the programme.

Past Graduates have attained careers in: National Crime Agency, United Nations, Sainsbury’s Intelligence Department, Prison Service, Retail Management, Trading Standards, Independent Office of Police Conduct, Royal Naval Police and Home Office Police Forces.

DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons, helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK-based activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Previously, students on this course have benefited from the opportunity to travel to New York, where they visited the New York Police Department headquarters and learnt about the differences and similarities between the policing system in the US and the UK.