Program Overview

BA (Hons) Policing and Investigations

Why study this course with LJMU?

• Licensed by The College of Policing, the professional Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) for Policing
• Innovative and thought-provoking modules both reflect and challenge current policing practices and debates
• Taught by lecturers and practitioner academics, who are former serving officers of all ranks and roles, from Constable to Chief Constable
• Access our innovative Crime Scene Investigations facilities
• Field trips include Merseyside Firearms Training Centre and the Emergency Services Training Centre as part of your core modules
• Opportunities to volunteer as a Special Constable in Merseyside Police and other local forces
• Regular career workshops and symposiums delivered by police officers and police career specialists to prepare you for a career in policing, security, risk management or criminal justice

About your course

The BA (Hons) Policing and Investigations degree at Liverpool John Moores University provides students with the knowledge and skills to consider direct entry into the role of a detective.

A degree that prepares students for the diverse world of investigative techniques, routes to detective specialisms and preparation for a rewarding career.

We have developed this programme over many years of policing studies degree delivery, working with Merseyside Police Constabulary, College of Policing and other key stakeholders in the policing and criminal justice sectors.

The curriculum has been designed to ready students for an investigative career, modules include the Psychology of Investigation, Investigating Serious and Complex Cases and Professional Standards and Governance and Accountability.

Course modules

Year 1

• Introduction to Policing and Investigation (20 credits)
• Practice, Procedure and the Criminal Law 1 (20 credits)
• Technology and Policing and Investigation (20 credits)
• Introduction to Criminology for Policing (20 credits)
• Professional Standards, Governance and Accountability (20 credits)
• Exploring Policing and Investigation Studies - Skills for Success (20 credits)

Year 2

• Policing Communities (20 credits)
• Practice, Procedure and the Criminal Law 2 (20 credits)
• Conducting Investigations (20 credits)
• Community Engagement Project (20 credits)
• Policy, Practice and the Evidence Base (20 credits)
• Psychology of Investigation (20 credits)

Year 3

• Research Project (40 credits)
• Approaches to protecting vulnerable people and the management of offenders (20 credits)
• Applying Forensics to Investigations (20 credits)

Optional modules

• Study Year Abroad - Policing Studies (120 credits)
• Study Semester Abroad - Policing Studies (60 credits)
• Comparative Studies in Policing (20 credits)
• Investigating Serious and Complex Cases (20 credits)
• Application of Intelligence to Policing (20 credits)
• Terrorism and Counter Terrorism (20 credits)

Professional accreditation

All of our qualifications conform to the professional and regulatory guidelines established by The College of Policing and have been developed to reflect changes in the way that police constabularies are recruiting new constables nationally.

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching Support Assessment
• Excellent facilities and learning resources
• Work-related Learning
• Blended learning
• Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

Career paths

Graduates find themselves working a variety of policing roles, such as operational officers, police staff, or wider law enforcement agencies, others are in a career that is not directly concerned with policing such as armed services, prison service, social work or criminal justice-related roles within the Civil Service.

Tuition fees and funding

• Home: £9,535 per year
• International: £17,750 per year

Entry requirements

• Grades/points required: BCC - BBB (104 - 120)
• GCSEs and equivalents: Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/Numeracy
• A levels: BCC-BBB
• BTECs: Extended Diploma: DMM
• Access awards: Pass overall with a minimum of 104 points
• International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Alternative qualifications considered: Successful completion of the Foundation Degree Arts in Policing Studies. RPL/RPEL will be offered in accordance with the LJMU Academic Framework

International requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date
• Other international requirements: Offers will be based on individual qualifications and experience.