Policing and Investigation (Distance Learning)

Program Overview

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Policing and Investigation (Distance Learning) BSc (Hons)

Overview

This BSc (Hons) Policing and Investigation degree course is a part-time, distance learning course that you can study around your other commitments, anywhere that suits you. It's open to anyone with an interest in how policing works and the theory of investigation.

Key Information

Typical Offer:

• There are no specific qualification requirements.
• Applicants without relevant Level 3 qualifications will be required to produce a short written artefact to better assist the course leader as to the suitability of the applicant.

Study Mode and Duration:

• 4.5 years part-time by distance learning

Start Date:

• September 2025

Course Information

Overview

Explore and analyse areas critical to policing and investigation – such as criminal justice, intelligence, major crime and public protection – that you can use to:

• Develop or enhance your general academic interest in policing and criminal investigation
• Qualify for the degree-holder entry programme to the police service in England or Wales (if you're thinking of joining the police as an officer)
• Level up from your current role to a senior or specialised role (if you're already working in a police force in any capacity)

Course Highlights

• Transform a passion for the criminal justice system into a rewarding career, with optional modules to suit your ambitions such as cybercrime, forensic psychology, contemporary terrorism and rehabilitation
• Have the freedom to choose a final year project topic that suits your career goals – previous students have focused on areas including human trafficking, domestic abuse, terrorism, county lines drug trafficking and the retention of special constables
• Be taught by leading academics from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, whose research areas include forensic interviewing and science, economic crime and cybercrime
• Have the chance to use on-the-job experience as proof of relevant prior learning to complete the course quicker

Entry Requirements

BSc (Hons) Policing and Investigation (Distance Learning) Degree Entry Requirements

• There are no specific qualification requirements, we will assess your application on its own merits.
• Applicants without relevant Level 3 qualifications will be required to produce a short written artefact to better assist the course leader as to the suitability of the applicant.
• English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

Careers and Opportunities

Society relies on the police force, and those that study effective policing, to keep communities safe. This means there will always be a demand for the skills you develop on this course – whether you're just starting out, upskilling in your current role or planning to put your skills and knowledge to use through consultancy, investigation or research.

Careers in the Police

If you want a career in the police in England or Wales, this degree qualifies you for one of the College of Policing’s entry routes to the police service.

What Areas Can You Work in with a Policing and Investigation Degree Outside the Police Force?

You could join the public sector, working for organisations including:

• The Probation Service
• The National Crime Agency
• Department for Work and Pensions – investigating fraud
• HMRC– investigating smuggling

You could join the private sector, working for organisations including:

• Banks and financial institutions – investigating fraud
• Insurance companies – investigating false claims
• Legal firms – assisting in legal cases
• Loss prevention and private security companies
• Private investigation firms

What Jobs Can You Do with a Policing and Investigation Degree?

You could take on various roles, both within and outside the police force, including:

• Crime scene investigator
• Police staff investigator within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
• Intelligence analyst and researcher
• Private investigator
• Security analyst

Modules

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. As a distance learning student, you'll study modules worth a total of 80 credits each year. This will be a combination of core modules, worth 40 credits each, and optional modules worth 20 credits each.

Core Modules

• Essential Skills in Criminal Justice Studies - 40 credits
• Criminal Justice and the Legal System - 40 credits
• Fundamentals of Policing and Investigation - 40 credits
• Policing and Society - 40 credits
• Research Methods and Analysis - 40 credits
• Specialist Policing: Major Crime and Public Protection - 40 credits
• Dissertation - 40 credits

Optional Modules

• Advanced Investigation and Operational Policing - 20 credits
• Contemporary Terrorism and the Global Response - 20 credits
• Cybercrime and Security - 20 credits
• Forensic Psychology: Investigation - 20 credits
• Fundamentals of Forensic Investigation - 20 credits
• Organised Crime - 20 credits
• Rehabilitation of Offenders - 20 credits
• Victimisation and the Criminal Justice System - 20 credits

How You'll Spend Your Time

This distance learning course allows you to combine study and work, progressing at your own pace.

Teaching

This course is delivered by supported distance learning. You will receive high-quality course materials via Moodle, our online learning environment.

Supporting You

As a distance learner, you can get support via video and phone from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed.

Types of Support

• Personal tutor
• Learning development tutors
• Academic skills support
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Disability advice and additional support
• Library support
• Support with English

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK/Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and International students – £3,180 per year (years 1-4) and £1,590 a year (year 5) (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students – £3,180 per year (years 1-4) and £1,590 a year (year 5) (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)

Additional Course Costs

• Recommended reading
• General costs
• Final year project
• On-campus events