BSc Criminal Investigation

Gain a solid grounding in police criminal investigations while also developing broad knowledge and skills that will set you up for a wide range of careers in criminal justice and beyond or further studies.

Criminal investigation is a central part of police activity, and from looking at the news every day we can see how it influences the public perception of the police and their accountability and legitimacy.

The increase in crime, and the way crime is committed today, provides very different challenges to the detectives of the past. On this course you will adopt a critical approach to criminal investigations, exploring police effectiveness in historic sexual and homicide investigations, public protection, and covert operations.

You will also seek to understand the current context within which detectives work, including a national shortage of detectives, government austerity measures and the rise in technology and complex criminality.

A typical offer would be 88-112 UCAS Tariff points.

For more information on the IELTS (International English language Testing System) requirements for this course,

The choice of careers following graduation is wide and varied. Previous graduates have decided to join the police through the traditional route, others have decided to apply for either direct entry detective (metropolitan Police), or fast track detective programme (I.e. Kent Police). Further opportunities exist as investigators for: National Crime Agency, the Military, Independent Office for Police Conduct, Criminal Cases Review Commission, Security Services, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, and so on.

Other graduates have obtained jobs inside the criminal justice system, such as HM probation Service, HM Prison Service, the UK Border Force, etc.

Graduates may also look at the private sector for security related and investigative roles too.

In addition, there are a number charitable and voluntary organisations working with the criminal justice sector and vulnerable groups, such as Victim Support, Mind, Shelter, Nacro, Prince’s Trust, Porchlight, Barnardo’s, etc. offering suitable job opportunities. 

It is important to note that the knowledge and skills that you gain from doing a criminal investigation degree are transferable to other careers and therefore you could embark on a wide range of career pathways, and should not feel tied to the professions listed above.

Some students opt to undertake further research, and go on to study Masters by research on criminal investigation topics of their choice. Others opt to study at Masters level either with a different department (i.e. Law), or at another university that offers postgraduate courses of their choice.