Program Overview

Overview of the Crime and Investigation BSc(Hons) Course

The Crime and Investigation BSc(Hons) course offers students the opportunity to critically explore and assess the nature of crime and the use of policing and investigatory work in various social contexts. This course is designed to prepare students for a future career working in organizations that engage with and in policing activities, including local, national, and international policing organizations, local councils, and private and voluntary sector organizations.

Course Details

• The course is not accredited through the College of Policing and is not a ‘pre-join degree’ programme allowing direct entry into the police.
• It prepares students well for one of the level 6 ‘top-up’ direct entry degrees that can be undertaken if they have already been awarded a degree and meet police entry requirements.
• Students will gain real-world experience through a work placement in their second year.
• They may also have the opportunity to work and study abroad via the Turing Scheme.
• The course provides the opportunity for students to critically study the range of formal and informal responses to the prevention, detection, and investigation of criminal and anti-social behaviors.
• Students will explore the different ways of understanding the work of the police and other policing and investigative agencies nationally, cross-nationally, and internationally, as well as comparatively with other models of policing.
• The course considers the nature and function of policing, crime prevention, and investigative work within the context of social control and order, and the relationship of such work to the state and to the public.

Entry Requirements

• To find out if you are eligible to start this course, please see the Clearing pages or contact the Clearing Helpline.
• If you are interested in studying this course, please view the course information for the relevant year.

Course Structure

Year 1

• Exploring the Social Sciences: This module guides students through the process of exploring social science subjects at university and provides the opportunity to develop their ability to be a successful student.
• Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice: This module explores the nature of crime and deviancy, the main perspectives in explaining criminal behavior, and the structures of the criminal justice system.
• Policing: Core Functions and Standards: The module introduces students to the purpose, responsibilities, and standards of the modern police service.
• Myths and Realities of Crime: Students explore both the myths and realities of crime, examining how we measure crime, who commits it, against whom, and where.
• Doing Social Research: This module explores qualitative and quantitative research approaches, philosophical underpinnings of social research, key considerations concerning research ethics, and techniques for data analysis.

Year 2

• Approaches to Policing: Students study the history of police and policing in England and Wales and critically consider different styles and approaches to policing.
• Evidence-based Policing and Crime Analysis: This module considers the ways in which good policing practice and investigation are informed by research.
• Exploring Work and Careers: Students have the opportunity to plan and complete a practical work-based experience related to their course.
• Reducing Crime: This module explores the strategies of crime reduction and prevention, investigating the evidence regarding their effectiveness in different situations.

Year 3

• Final Year Project for the Social Sciences: Students research a topic of their choice in depth, giving them the opportunity to develop their own research interests.
• Serious Crime Investigation: Students explore modern police investigation practice in relation to serious crime, including the contribution of forensic science, offender profiling, surveillance data, and new technologies.
• Option modules: Choose one from a list, which may include Organised and International Crime, Violent Crime, Contemporary and Comparative Criminology, and Contemporary Policing Challenges.

Teaching and Assessment

• On average, 17.7% of study time on this course is spent with tutors in lectures, seminars, and tutorials.
• Students are taught through seminars, tutorials, group work, practical experience, and lectures.
• Assessment includes coursework, presentations, research, work-based learning, and examinations.
• Feedback is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term-time weeks.

Placements

• This course includes compulsory work experience in the second year.
• Students are expected to undertake at least 30 hours of work experience relevant to their course during that year.
• Previous work experiences within the criminology and policing subject area have included working with the police, departments, and organizations such as the police visitor scheme, youth offending teams, prisons, restorative justice organizations, CCTV units, Local Authority anti-social behavior units, and courts, as well as in voluntary agencies that provide support to adult and juvenile offenders and victims in the community.

Fees and Finance

• The maximum fees for UK-based students on undergraduate courses in 2025/26 will be £9,535 per year for full-time students.
• Tuition fees will cover the cost of study at the University, as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations.
• For more information about funding, fees, and finance for UK students, please see the relevant pages.

Career Support

• The University provides professional help, support, and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs, and one-to-one guidance sessions.
• The Careers and Employability Service offers support to help students focus on life after graduation and achieve their ambitions.

Inspiring Graduate

• Previous Huddersfield Criminology graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of areas, including organizations such as West Yorkshire Police, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, UK Home Office, and Lotus Sanctuary CIC, or have gone on to undertake further study.
• 86% of graduates from this subject area were in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.

Further Study

• Progression to a postgraduate course is dependent on successful completion of undergraduate studies, and there may be minimum qualification requirements.
• The University offers a range of postgraduate courses.

Research Excellence

• The University is in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power.
• Three-quarters of all research is world-leading and internationally excellent.
• The University has a strong research environment, with over 60% of its research environment classified as world-leading and internationally excellent.

Student Support

• The University provides support networks and services to help students get ahead in their studies and social life.
• Support includes academic support, careers advice, and personal support.

Important Information

• When enrolling as a student, study and time at the University will be governed by its terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations, and associated policies.
• The University may make changes to courses, including major changes, in response to circumstances outside its reasonable control or to improve the course.
• Students will be notified as soon as possible of any changes and will be consulted with if the change is likely to cause them detriment or hardship.