2024/25 entry
BA (Hons) Policing and Investigations
Clearing
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Minimum UCAS points required: TBC
Why study Policing and Investigations at Liverpool John Moores University?
- A new degree programme designed to focus students on the field of investigation, which may be attractive to students who want to progress into an investigative field
- Innovative and thought-provoking modules both reflect and challenge current policing practices and debates
- You will be taught in the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies by lecturers with academic and professional backgrounds in policing
- Regular career workshops and symposiums delivered by police officers and police career specialists to prepare you for a career in policing, security, risk management or criminal justice
- Opportunities to gain real-life experience of policing as a Special Police Constable, police volunteer or work in a related field
About your course
The new BA (Hons) Policing and Investigation at Liverpool John Moores University provides students with the knowledge and skills to consider direct entry into the role of a detective.
"The Chief Officers of the force have been pleased with the programme at LJMU and view it as being a significant development with regards to assisting professionalisation and the development of the workforce."
Professional accreditation/links
All of our qualifications conform to the professional and regulatory guidelines established by The College of Policing and have been developed to reflect changes in the way that police constabularies are recruiting new constables nationally.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- Library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to programme-appropriate software
- Library and student IT support
- Free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
Employability
Direct entry in to policing detective roles is now common place through the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) route and many students do not see themselves in a uniform role.
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. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
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What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
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.
Level 5
Core modules
Conducting Investigations
20 credits
The module aims to develop your understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters for the investigation of criminal offences and provide the opportunity for you to demonstrate and explain investigative procedures through the use of case studies and crime scene practical's. It will also provide an opportunity to critically explore the range of regulatory processes and professional values which inform practice, theories of team work, communication, issues of professional status and power and working across organisational boundaries.
Psychology of Investigation
20 credits
This module aims to help students understand how an understanding of Psychology can support them when conducting interviews in relation to Qualitative methodology.
Community Engagement Project
20 credits
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters for Policing in England and Wales, alongside the relationship between the statutory and voluntary sector. You will be provided with the opportunity to explore the application of these frameworks through practical learning and application in communities.
Level 6
Core modules
Applying Forensics to Investigations
20 credits
This module aims to help students consider and apply how forensic science and analysis can support them when conducting an investigation, to include basic forensic concepts; recognition and recovery of evidence; crime scene integrity; the interplay between various components of the investigative process with forensics; and cold case analysis
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
Support and guidance
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
We understand that all students have different strengths and preferences when it comes to assessments, so we use a variety of methods to assess your work structured across the academic year. These include essays, exams, fieldwork projects, reports, case studies, portfolios, online blogs and wikis, workplace practice, posters, presentations (individual and group), debates, reviews and group work.
You will normally receive extensive written feedback on your assessments, and occasional verbal feedback. All feedback is designed to help you achieve your full potential and get the most out of your studies, so staff will be available to discuss it with you and direct you to further support if you feel you need it.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
Based within the John Foster Building, in the Mount Pleasant Campus, the School of Justice Studies is a leading provider of education in Policing Studies, Criminology and Criminal Justice. We provide specific training for policing students wishing to enter the service as a graduate recruit. The John Foster Building has many outstanding facilities, including well-equipped IT Suites, a light-filled Student Common Room and dedicated study areas.
Furthermore, Policing students have exclusive access to the new Crime Scene Investigation Suite, which has a carefully curated series of crime scene rooms for students to test out their knowledge in evidence collection, crime scene preservation and crime detection.
At the back of the John Foster Building is the Aldham Robarts Library, which gives 24 hour access to an exceptional range of materials to support your studies.
The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.