Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Policing, Psychology and Investigations

Why study this course with LJMU?

• Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Access to our innovative Crime Scene Suite facilities for practical scenario-based learning
• Practical exercises and worked-based learning at the renowned Emergency Services Training Centre in Birkenhead (off-campus)
• Thought-provoking modules both reflect and challenge current policing practices and debates
• Opportunities for graduate membership to the British Psychological Society (BPS)

About your course

BA (Hons) Policing, Psychology and Investigations at Liverpool John Moores University will engage you in the key strategies for effective crime scene management and both the process and psychology of investigation.

Designed for those who are seeking a career in policing, the wider law enforcement sector, or associated fields in the criminal justice system. You will be introduced to policing and investigation practice and procedure, and criminal law.

Students have access to the Crime Scene Suite to explore crime scene perspectives and investigate approaches.

You will learn about Cognitive and Biological Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, and Individual Differences and the approaches needed to protect both vulnerable people and the management of offenders.

Students also have the opportunity to combine their studies with service by volunteering as a Special Constable.

You will be taught at Mount Pleasant Campus in the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing, a pioneering research centre for interdisciplinary law enforcement, and is licensed by the College of Policing to deliver degree programmes.

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

• Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Year 1

• Core modules
  • Introduction to Policing and Investigation (20 credits)
  • Practice, Procedure and the Criminal Law 1 (20 credits)
  • Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 1: Relationships and Associations (10 credits)
  • Introduction to Developmental Psychology and Individual Differences (20 credits)
  • Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 2: Testing for Differences (10 credits)
  • Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology (20 credits)
  • Skills for Success in Policing and Forensic Psychology (20 credits)

Year 2

• Core modules
  • Policing Communities (20 credits)
  • Practice, Procedure and the Criminal Law 2 (20 credits)
  • Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 4: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (20 credits)
  • Cognitive and Biological Psychology (20 credits)
  • Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, and Individual Differences (20 credits)
  • Psychology of Investigation (20 credits)

Year 3

• Core modules
  • Approaches to protecting vulnerable people and the management of offenders (20 credits)
  • Forensic and Investigative Psychology (20 credits)
  • Research Project - Policing, Psychology and Investigations (40 credits)
• Optional modules
  • Comparative Studies in Policing (20 credits)
  • Policing, Security and Risk (20 credits)
  • Investigating Serious and Complex Cases (20 credits)
  • Application of Intelligence to Policing (20 credits)
  • Psychopharmacology and Addictive Behaviour (10 credits)
  • Face Perception: Processes and Disorders (10 credits)
  • Social Cognition (10 credits)
  • Work Psychology (10 credits)
  • Psychology of Sexual Violence (10 credits)
  • Terrorism and Counter Terrorism (20 credits)

Professional accreditation

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching Support Assessment

Excellent facilities and learning resources

You will be taught by lecturers and practitioner academics, who are former serving officers of all ranks and roles, from Constable to Chief Constable. All staff are experienced in a wide range of subject areas and specialisms.

• Excellent facilities and learning resources

As part of this degree programme, you have access to our innovative Crime Scene Suites on campus and also take part in role-play and scenario tasks at the Emergency Training Centre in Birkenhead.

Throughout the programme there is a student mentoring scheme that supports students in their academic, professional and personal development.

There is also a wider School of Justice Studies Mentoring Programme that works with criminal justice agencies, such as policing, Crown Prosecution Service, prison, probation and youth justice.

Both employers and students should benefit significantly from this programme. Students gain employability skills and insights into specific careers, while employers experience the rewards of mentorship and the opportunity to share their knowledge with enthusiastic students.

• Work-related Learning

Work-related learning is incorporated into every level of this programme so that once you graduate you will be equipped with a range of transferable skills and knowledge in analysis and interpretation, presentation, teamwork, initiative and research.

You will be strongly encouraged to become a Special Police Constable, a police volunteer or to volunteer within the criminal justice field throughout your studies so that you can gain practical insight into operational practices, build professional relationships and enhance your employability skills for police and related criminal justice professions after graduation.

• Blended learning

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.

Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, online activities, workshops and seminars all of which you are expected to attend. In addition you will be supported to develop your skills relating to independent study and group work. You will need to participate in online activities and discussions using our virtual learning environment, Canvas.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

Each student is allocated a personal tutor whose role is to offer general advice, guidance and support regarding the broader aspects of your studies and university life in general.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

Your marks and feedback will be available within 15 working days of submitting a piece of work. That's because we believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to develop further.

Where you will study

Based at the John Foster Building, in the Mount Pleasant Campus, the Crime Scene Suite is an innovative facility that gives students the opportunity to explore crime scene perspectives and investigate approaches.

Career paths

Graduates find themselves working in a variety of policing roles as either police officers or police staff and in various roles in the wider law enforcement and criminal justice sectors. The degree also provides the basis for further study and careers in psychology.

Employability is a core module of the degree, where in your final year you will be encouraged and supported to consider your career path in policing.

For those graduates who wish to apply for police constable roles in England and Wales, this degree would render you eligible to apply for appointment via the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) route.

Recruitment and appointment is subject to the relevant regulations and requirements of police recruitment and selection processes. This includes medical and fitness testing along with background and security checks. Recruitment and selection processes are rigorous and may vary between forces.

Candidates applying to join a police constabulary must also undertake a series of assessments including National Recruitment processes and Force vetting. Guidance on recruitment can be found on the College of Policing website.

For graduates who seek careers outside of police constable roles, may find themselves working in:

• Border Force Control
• National Crime Agency
• Police Staff - Researchers, Analysts or Advisors

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Full-time per year: £9,535
• Placement year: £1,905

International

• Full-time per year: £17,750
• Placement year: £3,830

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

• Grades/points required from qualifications: 104

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

GCSEs and equivalents

• Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics or an equivalent qualification.
• Equivalences accepted:
  • Key Skills Level 2 in English/Communication and Mathematic/Application of Number
  • Functional Skills in English and Mathematics
  • Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication and Application of Number
  • Skills for Life Level 2 in English and Numeracy
  • Higher Diploma in English/Maths

A levels

• BCC
• Minimum Number of A Levels: 2
• Maximum AS UCAS points: 20

BTECs

• Extended Diploma: DMM

Access awards

• 104 UCAS Tariff Points

International Baccalaureate

• 104 Tariff Points

OCR Cambridge Technical

• Extended Diploma: DMM

Irish awards

• 104 UCAS Tariff points to include at least 5 Highers including a Humanities and Social Science subject

Irish awards

• 104 UCAS Tariff Points to include Highers

T levels

• 104 UCAS tariff points from a related subject area

Further information

• DBS, Occupational Health requirements
• RPL

RPL/RPEL will be offered in accordance with the LJMU Academic Framework.

International requirements

• Offers will be based on individual qualifications and experience. All applicants should have achieved IELTS 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent.

Further information

• DBS, Occupational Health requirements
• RPL

RPL/RPEL will be offered in accordance with the LJMU Academic Framework.

• Find your country

Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here

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