Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies BA (Hons)

Explore and understand the criminal justice system, and the importance of multi-agency partnerships in policing and criminal investigation on a local, national and international level. The depth of knowledge obtained will develop critically thinking professional practitioners and decision-makers with a high level of ethical ethos suited to public or private sector policing environments.

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

Overview

Our Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies course teaches the skills required for ethical professional practice. It is the ideal choice if you are interested in studying policing and criminal investigation but do not necessarily wish to pursue a career in the police service.

The level and depth of knowledge and understanding taught, develops a high level of critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving, but also the necessary skills required for a criminal investigator in the criminal justice or private sector.

Taught by policing and criminology academics with significant practical experience of criminal justice practice, the modules are diverse and specifically tailored to the needs of a criminal investigation career.

In Year one 3 modules will be shared with criminology students which will provide a different perspective on policing focusing more on the causation of crime.

Year two is where you begin to specialise in your chosen field with a module dedicated to the leadership and management of criminal investigation. This module carries through to year three and becomes more intense and specialised. You also have the option of choosing two 15 credit elective modules in year two which will again be shared with criminology students.

Key features

This programme is taught by experienced practice-based policing and criminology academics and researchers, who will help broaden your understanding of the sector while keeping you up to date with contemporary issues and debates.
You will study a range of modules including Introduction to Criminology, The Profession of Policing, Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing, Investigative Management and Leadership, and Multi-Agency Working.
Take advantage of placement opportunities with a local investigatory agency offered through our Careers Team, which will help enhance your employability through offering real-world experience alongside your studies.
Previous graduates have landed roles at local authority Trading Standards, the Leicestershire Police investigations teams and the Independent Police Complaints Authority, National Crime Agency and within fraud and intelligence departments of high profile retail businesses.
Gain international experience and apply your knowledge to a global context through our DMU Global programme. Previously, our Criminal investigation and Policing students have had the opportunity to visit destinations such as New York, where they were taught about the differences and similarities between the policing system in the US and the UK.

Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

Scholarships

DMU offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and bursaries to help you realise your academic ambitions.

International student scholarships

Find out about available international scholarships or visit our fees and funding page for more information.

UK
EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: 5LN3

Duration: Three years full-time

Location: De Montfort University, Leicester UK. You may also have to attend Inter-Professional Education (IPE) sessions and community experiences that are not necessarily based at the university.

Fees and funding:

2025/26 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250

Additional costs: You may incur additional costs for this programme, including the cost of travelling to and from project/placement locations.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

This programme is not currently available to international students

Entry criteria

GCSEs

Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including English Language or English Literature and Maths*

Plus one of the following:

A levels

A minimum of 112 points for the BA (Hons) from at least two A levels

T Levels

Merit

BTEC

BTEC National Diploma - Distinction/Merit/Merit
BTEC Extended Diploma - Distinction/Merit/Merit

Access to HE Diploma

Pass in QAA accredited Access to HE overall 112 UCAS tariff with at least 30 Level 3 credits at Merit.
English GCSE required as separate qualification. Equivalency not accepted within the Access qualification. We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.

International Baccalaureate: 24+ points

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

^{*We may still consider applicants that do not meet the GCSE requirements providing they can demonstrate ability or attainment in these subjects in an alternative way; usually through work experience, alternative qualifications or by a university admissions test or interview. All such applicants will be considered on a case by case basis.}

Interview required: No

Work experience required: No

Applications from mature students for this programme are welcome and candidates with relevant work experience and other qualifications, which do not necessarily amount to the minimum entry requirements for the programme will be considered on a case by case basis. Requirements for these students would include an interview and the consideration of the candidate’s CVs by the programme leader. Alongside this, the student would also be required to submit a piece of work to indicate the their abilities to write and engage at an appropriate level. A diagnostic test would be given with regards to Level 2 Functional Skills.

UCAS Tariff changes

Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

Structure and assessment

First Year

Block 1: Profession of Policing and Investigation
Block 2: Journey Through Justice
Block 3: Studying at University
Block 4: Principles of Social Research

Second Year

Block 1: Investigative Management and Leadership (I)
Block 2: Leadership & Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing and Investigation (I)
Block 3: Research and Ethics (15 credits)
Block 4: Researching Justice Journey (30 credits)
OPTION: 1 x 15 credit elective module

Third Year

Block 1: Dissertation (10,000-word research project)
Block 2: Leadership & Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing and Investigation (II)
Block 3: Investigative Management & Leadership (II)
Block 4: Multi-Agency Working International Perspectives

See more detailed module information.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

A variety of teaching methods, include:

Lectures
Case studies
Seminars
Desk-top exercises
Workshops
E-learning
Specialist guest lectures from practitioners (subject to availability)
Visits to practitioners in action (subject to availability)

Assessment methods include:

Essays
Examinations
Phase Tests
Presentations
Posters
Case-study critiques
Desk-top, simulated exercises
Policy books
Research Proposal
Dissertation

All of which will be developed as you progress through the course.

Your precise timetable will depend on your Modules. However, typical teaching time is approximately 9 hours each week for programme specific modules and will be taught by way of block teaching. Criminology modules may differ.

In addition, you will also be expected to achieve approximately 20 hours of self-directed study. You may also be given additional work by Module Leaders to aid your development, particularly with regard Assessments.

Teaching contact hours

Contact hours in a typical week will depend to some extent on the optional modules you choose to study. However, typically you will have up to 9 contact hours of teaching and this will break down as:

Medium group teaching: approx. 1 hour of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week (depending on the module)

Large group teaching: 9+ hours of lectures each week

Personal study: approx. 20 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using hand-outs, online activities, etc.

In the second year you may also have the opportunity (subject to availability) to complete an 80-hour community placement.

Teaching expertise

Include evidence-based practice, policing, investigation, terrorism, transnational organised crime.

Accreditations:

Membership of overseas organisations: i.e. Society for Terrorism Research

Fellowship of Higher Education Academy

Associate Editors of Journals in the field and specialist journals.

Research Fellows of overseas organisations: i.e. European Foundation for South Asia Studies

Other Expertise:

External Examiners at other HEIs

Independent Assessors at other HEIs

Facilities and features

Health and Life Sciences facilities

Substantial investment has developed our teaching and learning facilities to help you expand your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom.

Our Crime Scene House presents investigative scenarios which allow students to apply their learning in a real-life practical environment.

We also have Court Rooms and Cells which you will have the opportunity to use these during any real-life scenarios and may work collaboratively with students studying law, forensics and other disciplines.

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available.

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose.

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub.

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Opportunities and careers

Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a paid placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice.

This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Our Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

Graduate careers

Policing: students are encouraged to apply to become Special Constables during their study. Past students have successfully gained entry to the local and other forces. This affords students opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills set in a practice-based environment enhancing their experiential learning.

Criminal Investigation: some students have gone on to postgraduate study on the Degree Holder Entry Programme for both the policing and detective pathways (DHEP & CIDHEP). The CIDHEP allows them direct entry as a trainee detective to any police force in England and Wales. The DHEP allows entry as a police constable to any police force in England and Wales that are recruiting onto the programme.

Past Graduates have attained careers in: National Crime Agency, United Nations, Sainsbury’s Intelligence Department, Prison Service, Retail Management, Trading Standards, Independent Office of Police Conduct, Royal Naval Police and Home Office Police Forces.

DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons, helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK-based activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Previously, students on this course have benefited from the opportunity to travel to New York, where they visited the New York Police Department headquarters and learnt about the differences and similarities between the policing system in the US and the UK.

Take your next steps

Nine halls of residence and around 2,300 rooms, all of which are within easy walking distance of the campus.

Run by students for students, DSU offers more than 150 societies and almost 40 different sports clubs for you to get involved in.

Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies BA (Hons)

Block teaching designed around you