Program Overview

MA Investigative Management

Overview

The MA Investigative Management degree is ideal for professionals seeking to advance their careers by studying leadership and management in the context of work-based investigative practice.

This investigation course has been designed in collaboration with senior police representatives to enhance your intellectual capability and professional practice in relation to how investigations are led, managed and delivered.

By its nature, this cross-disciplinary investigation course has a substantive professional experience component. Throughout your studies you will be supported by academic staff, as well as various professionals with practical experience of investigation. With a clear focus on merging theory and practice, you will gain a deeper understanding of investigative management in the context of real-world experience(s) and professional practice(s).

This investigation course includes a dissertation module which allows you to tailor your studying to suit your career needs and research interests.

Why us?

• Benefit from flexible studying that fits around your work commitments
• Learn from academic teaching staff with substantial experience in the field of investigation
• Qualify for more senior positions in investigative practice
• Gain an extremely industry-specific postgraduate qualification

Course structure

MA Investigative Management is taught via lectures, workshops, and self-study.

Your progress will be assessed with coursework, a research proposal (in written and presentation form), and your dissertation.

Throughout your studies, you will receive one-on-one guidance and support from academic staff and professionals with practical experience in investigation.

The course module dates are:

• 12–13 February 2025
• 4–5 June 2025
• 15–16 October 2025
• 14–15 January 2026

Course modules

Core modules:

• Advanced Critical Thinking and Applied Research Skills (30 credits) Gain a critical understanding of the processes involved in conducting effective business management and build awareness of a range of research strategies and techniques to pursue your own research interests. Explore the significant role that theoretical principles play in the research process and the importance of presenting clear and credible argumentation and evidence to support both the research design and study’s findings.
• Professional Leadership and Decision-Making in Investigation (30 credits) Examine the wider impact of your professional leadership and decision-making in investigations, both for your own and your organisation’s benefit. Consider the changing nature of your professional environment by exploring various theories of professional leadership and management, focusing on a process of critical reflection upon your professional identity. Develop a deeper understanding of the practical issues of managing and leading investigations with a view to improve current practice.
• Critical Decision-Making in Investigation (30 credits) Develop an understanding of and reflect upon the importance of criticality in decision-making within the professional context of investigative management. Examine the similarities and differences between the approaches to critical evaluation of different stakeholders, and how these approaches impact outcomes of relevant investigations.
• Advanced Investigative Management Proposal (30 credits) Identify a key area of operational practice related to investigative procedure which you perceive requires further reflection and analysis to produce a written assessment, tailored towards writing for a practitioner-friendly peer journal.
• Investigative Management Dissertation (60 credits) Enhance your understanding of the processes involved in conducting effective business management research. Analyse, interpret and critically evaluate information relevant to the research topic and produce an investigative management dissertation from the gathered data.

Facilities

You'll be based at the recently refurbished Wearside View, situated on the award-winning Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's. This stunning riverside location benefits from dedicated library services and has superb transport links with the city centre and City Campus.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for Ireland. Please contact the Student Admin team on or .

To apply for this course you need to be at least one of the following:

• Graduate in BA (Hons) Applied Investigation
• Senior investigative professional with experience of leading and managing investigations
• Professional graduate with at least five years’ experience in investigation
• Have attained PIP level 3.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Fees and finance

The total fee for this course is £5,300 (£2,650 per year).

Please note, part-time study isn't available to international students.

If you currently serve (or have recently served) within the Armed Forces, then the Ministry of Defence's ELCAS scheme may be able to help cover your funding for this course. Visit this page for more information about funding.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

The MA Investigative Management course has been designed in response to the current sector needs in policing. It is extremely relevant to modern police practices, and its structure, content and assessment strategies have been created in collaboration with senior police representatives. As an Investigative Management graduate you will be able to immediately make a positive impact in your current role in the police. If you are seeking employment or planning to change roles, you will be qualified for positions with more seniority and responsibility within police investigation.