Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Serious and Complex Crime Investigation | Degree Apprenticeship

Why study this course with LJMU?

• Designed to develop knowledge, skills and behaviours associated with a role in the field of investigation.
• Working collaboratively with your employer, you will learn through a combination of on the job training and innovative and thought-provoking modules which reflect and challenge current investigative practices and debates.
• Delivered online through a mix of live and pre-recorded lectures and seminars by lecturers with academic and practical experience in the field you will study topics including the criminal law, ethics and accountability, the criminal justice system, overt and covert investigation; evidence based practice; intelligence management; forensics; research methods and public protection.
• You will develop a knowledge and understanding of investigative practice, its position in the social, political and cultural environment and its place within the wider context of criminal justice

About your course

The BSc Serious and Complex Crime Integrated Degree Apprenticeship develops knowledge, skills and behaviours for a career in investigation.

The programme aims:

1. To enable students to develop an understanding of investigative practice, its position in the social, political and cultural environment and its place within the wider context of criminal justice and legislation.
2. To provide students with a theoretical knowledge, understanding and practical skills necessary to achieve operational competence and complete the BSc (Hons) Serious and Complex Crime Investigation.
3. To provide students with knowledge and skills to utilise a range of analytical and research methodologies critically, allowing them to undertake ethically sound, professional, empirical research.
4. To contextualize the development of a range of interpersonal and transferrable graduate skills and knowledge developed by students during the programme.
5. To develop critical thinking and reflective practice within ethical and professional boundaries providing a critical academic understanding of policy, practices, and ethical values.
6. Students will build academic knowledge and skills to develop their understanding and application of Evidence-Based Practice and in turn develop themselves as professional investigative practitioners.

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

The programme is designed to meet the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) of the apprenticeship standards while at the same time meeting the needs of the employer. Apprentices will be required to successfully complete six core 20 credit modules at level 4, five core 20 credit modules at level 5 plus one of two optional 20 credit modules (one incorporates the National Investigators Examination (NIE)) and three core 20 credit modules at level 6 before entering the ‘gateway’ to complete a 60 credit End Point Assessment (EPA).

Apprentices will pass through the ‘gateway’ once the employer is satisfied the apprentice is consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard, which means the employer will work collaboratively with the university to assess operational competence to ensure the gateway requirements for EPA have been met and that they can be evidenced to an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO).

Core modules

• Criminal Law, Practice and Procedure 1 (20 credits) This module will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of legislation and wider legal powers in relation to a range of typical policing and law enforcement incidents. It will enable you to apply such knowledge to a range of specified circumstances and incidents.
• Academic Skills for Serious and Complex Crime (20 credits) In this module you will develop your academic skills including referencing, writing and an understanding of the concept of critical evaluation. You will research the court system in England and Wales and develop your communication and presentation skills.
• Introduction to Law Enforcement (20 credits) This module aims to help you understand key theories and concepts relevant to policing and the wider criminal justice system by examining the chronological development of policing and other institutions within the system, landmark events and their inter-relationship and relevance.
• Evidence Based Practice (20 credits) The module will provide you with an appreciation of the concept of evidence-based practice. You will discuss a range of key concepts relating to criminology, exploring the relationship between community engagement, crime prevention, and the local policing and law enforcement strategies.
• Professional Standards, Governance and Accountability (20 credits) This module will help you understand the meaning of ethics and their relevance in policing and wider law enforcement. Apprentices will consider both the theory and application of ethics, and what is meant by professional standards and how the apply to police officers, the police service and law enforcement professionals.
• Criminal Justice (20 credits) The aim of this module is to learn about the components of the criminal justice system, how they operate and how they relate to each other. You will learn about the specific roles of the various agencies and institutions within the criminal justice system and you will explore the process of getting people to custody and the routine processes around detention.

Core modules

• Fundamental principles of investigation (20 credits) The aim of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of the investigative process in a range of operational contexts. You will develop practical solutions to provide effective policing methods in this area whilst furthering your own competence within the discipline.
• Disclosure - Serious and Complex Cases (20 credits) This module introduces students to the following key topics:
  • Introduction to the disclosure of Unused Material
  • What constitutes unused material
  • The nature of sensitive material
  • Complex cases and third-party material
  • Defence disclosure, defence applications for disclosure and the continuing duty of disclosure
  • Consequences of failures in disclosure and key partners
  • Best practice in managing disclosure relating to serious organised and terrorism investigations
• The use of intelligence in serious and complex investigations (20 credits) This module will develop knowledge and understanding of the theory, legislation, policy and practice relating to information and intelligence in policing.
• Research Methods - Serious and Complex Crime (20 credits) This module will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of research methodologies and approaches, demonstrating effective referencing, applied to a range of theories and practices and associated with communication. You will also gain knowledge and understanding of quantitative and qualitative research techniques and their appropriate use.
• Investigative Interviewing (20 credits) This module aims to allow apprentices to critically explore the intersection of psychology and investigation. The module will examine current practices, techniques and applications of investigative interviewing. During this module apprentices will be exposed to UK and comparative international techniques in interviewing, the value of ethical approaches to interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects, the interpretation of verbal and physical behaviour, eye witness identification, question types and their influence on young and vulnerable people, influencing factors associated with confessions and false confessions.
• Pathway Criminal Law Practice and Procedure 2 (20 credits) To provide apprentices with the knowledge and develop their understanding of key legislation and powers in relation to a range of typical law enforcement matters. Enable students to apply such knowledge to a range of specified circumstances and incidents.
• Pathway Criminal Law Practice and Procedure 2 (NIE) (20 credits) To provide apprentices with the knowledge and develop their understanding of key legislation and powers in relation to a range of typical law enforcement matters in support of their completion of the National Investigators Examination (NIE). Enable students to apply such knowledge to a range of specified circumstances and incidents.

Core modules

• Serious and complex crime investigation (20 credits) The aim of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of investigative practice in a range of operational contexts. You will develop your knowledge on practical solutions to serious and complex crime investigations whilst furthering your own competence within the discipline.
• Public Protection, Vulnerability and Risk (20 credits) Apprentices will understand the nature of the relationship between police, wider law enforcement and vulnerable people. The module will examine the theory relating to offending and offending patterns and the impact of differing approaches and intervention strategies. Development of knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues around vulnerability and criminal exploitation of certain groups. Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). Effect of press and media on public protection strategies.
• Operational Competence - Professional Discussion (20 credits) The module will test your knowledge, skills and behaviours associated with the apprenticeship standard for the serious and complex crime investigator. The professional discussion will be conducted by an independent assessor provided by the End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) (which in this case is the HEI (LJMU). The OCP will have been submitted to the independent assessor as a Gateway requirement; this will allow the independent assessor sufficient time to review the document prior to conducting the professional discussion.
• Evidence Based Research Project and Presentation (40 credits) The module will equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills to conduct research into more complex issues within the context of your own occupational interest. You will be provided with the opportunity to develop a research question and develop research methods to justify your choice. The research should develop practical solutions to provide effective policing methods in this area whilst showing your competence as an investigator of serious and complex crime
• Covert Techniques: Legislation and Operational Capability (20 credits) This module provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary covert techniques used in law enforcement. It covers the legislative framework, privacy vs. security balance, and various methods for intelligence gathering. Students will explore the impact on community safety, analyse legal aspects, and delve into historical and contemporary insights, including future trends and alternatives like AI and biometrics.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Support Assessment

The programme is designed to be delivered through distance learning facilities; which will be balanced with synchronous (live online) and asynchronous (Pre-recorded) lectures, workshops and seminars. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Teaching can be offered in a block or day release format, meaning there is consistency to your studies but also offers some flexibility to study at times that suits you or your employer.

You will have easy access to support from your module leaders or personal tutor through online tutorials of discussion boards via the virtual learning environment.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

There is a high level of support for students on this course and the needs of part-time students and degree apprentices are thought through. You will be appointed a Personal Tutor when you are inducted onto the course. They will be responsible for assisting you and providing guidance and care on academic and pastoral matters and also on the development of your Personal Development Plans (PDPs) which form an integral part of your programme and development.

Within the workplace you will have mentors that will provide additional support during your on the job training.

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

Generally you will be assessed using written assignments, presentations and exams, which will be linked as close as possible to operational practice.

The majority of the assessment of professional skills will be carried out in the workplace with the compilation of an Occupational Competence portfolio (OCP). This will be supported by workplace mentors and assessors as well as LJMU staff. In addition there will be a requirement for self-reflection and at various points the programme will include reflection reports.

These together with the OCP will be subject of the End-Point Assessment, which will be composed of a professional discussion during which you will provide oral evidence of competency and a research project associated with your area of investigation.

Tuition fees and funding

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Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus Wi-Fi.

Financial Support

The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.

Additional Costs

In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:

• Accommodation
• Travel costs including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
• Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.

Degree Apprenticeships are funded courses, with learning costs being paid to the university by the employer, through the Degree Apprenticeship levy, if a large company, or with the help of the government’s co-investment model, if a smaller company.

If you aren’t already employed by a company that is willing to sponsor you through an apprenticeship, you’ll need to find one. You can do this by regularly checking the Government’s Find an apprenticeship website.

You can also approach an employer yourself to find out whether they would be interested in offering Degree Apprenticeships and ask them to contact us. Our team will be able to explain to them how they can access the correct funding and the next steps.

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Grades/points required from qualifications:

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

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Qualification requirements

GCSEs and equivalents

English and maths requirements

Apprentices for this programme are required to have achieved and provide evidence of a minimum of level 2 in both English and maths prior to starting the apprenticeship.

Level 2 means a:

• GCSE grade 4-9 (or A-C)
• Functional skills – Pass at level 2

There are other acceptable qualifications, but these must meet the Education and Skills Funding Agency requirements. The list of accepted qualifications for English and maths requirements can be viewed here (check on the Level 3 apprenticeship tab within the document).

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU Degree Apprenticeship form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

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