BA (Hons) Policing Studies | Part-time Distance Learning
- Entry year:
- 2026/27
- Start date:
- September, January
- Study mode:
- Part-time, Distance learning
- Campus:
- Mount Pleasant
Why study this course with LJMU?
- A two year ‘top up’ programme that supplements existing study or relevant experience leading to the award of a degree in Policing Studies
- Taught 100% online, study flexibly for a level 6-degree qualification in a manner that suits
- Ideal for existing officers and staff in police forces, both Home Office forces and non-Home Office forces
- Allows existing Foundation policing-based degree students to progress to a BA (Hons) Policing Studies over two years
- Innovative and thought-provoking modules both reflect and challenge contemporary policing practices and debates
- Be a part of Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies, a centre devoted to supporting the needs of 21st century policing
- Variety of assessment methods include essays, presentations, posters and multiple choice exams
- Assigned a personal support tutor from day one
About your course
The programme is a top-up programme that builds upon previous Foundation Degree study or Relevant Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL). The programme equates to the final year of an undergraduate degree.
Ideal for existing officers and staff in Home Office and non-Home Office police forces this unique Policing Studies degree programme allows you to study fully online at a time and place that suits you.
The degree will take you on a critical exploration of policing, encouraging you to reflect on the contemporary challenges within policing and investigation. The course’s innovative and thought-provoking modules both reflect and challenge contemporary policing practices and will act as continuing professional development for serving police officers and support staff.
The course is designed to develop your career in policing, law enforcement and other allied professions.
If you’ve always wanted to pursue a degree without the commitment of on-campus study, Liverpool John Moores University offers a flexible two-year distance learning BA (Hons) in Policing Studies, delivered via the LJMU's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) ‘Canvas’.
You will be part of the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing, a pioneering research centre for interdisciplinary law enforcement, licensed by the College of Policing to deliver degree programmes included in the Optimisation of Policing.
We are one of a few Higher Education Institute's who offer the opportunity to achieve a BA (hons) in two years, with the flexibility of online learning.
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.
Core modules
Advanced Social Research Skills
20 credits
20 credits
This module seeks to provide training across a range of technical and practical social research skills and to equip you with a good understanding of the contribution that mixed-methodological approaches make to the collection, analysis and interpretation of data.
Optional modules
Investigation Skills 2
20 credits
20 credits
This module enhances students' understanding of the legal framework for criminal investigations and offers hands-on practice through online case studies. It also explores professional values, teamwork, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Key topics include forensics, homicide investigations, sex crimes, and drug investigations.
Professional accreditation
This two year accelerated degree in Professional Policing has been licensed by the College of Policing, the professional Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) for policing.
Your Learning Experience
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt a purely online learning approach, meaning you will learn via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Canvas. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by email, video or phone call.
The programme is delivered by academic staff and practitioner academics. These practitioner academics are academically qualified, 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. Throughout the programme there is a mentoring scheme that supports students in their academic, professional and personal development.
Work-related Learning
This degree incorporates specific and specialist work-related topics into every level of learning, as well as equipping you with a versatile range of transferable skills and knowledge in analysis and interpretation, presentation, teamwork, initiative and research.
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
It is often useful to discuss course-related issues on a one-to-one basis and for this reason we will assign you a personal tutor for the duration of your studies at LJMU.
Your tutor will also help you put together your personal development plan so that you can monitor progress and set your own targets.
Module tutors also provide support in the form of online learning materials, course guides and one-to-one consultations if you need them, and there will be study skills sessions to help you prepare for assessments.
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.
Where you will study
Based within the John Foster Building, in the Mount Pleasant Campus, the School of Law and 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. At the back of the John Foster Building is the Mount Pleasant Campus Library, which gives access to an exceptional range of materials to support your studies.
The school recently won 'Law School of the Year' at the Educate North Awards 2026
The flexibility of online learning, at a time that fitted around work and home life balance has been invaluable to progress my policing career. Supporting my practical experiences with academic theory has been extremely beneficial to my role.
Tuition fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students beginning their studies in September 2026 will be £9,790 for the 2026/27 academic year, subject to Parliamentary approval.
In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are set in accordance with the Government’s regulated fee cap. The Government has confirmed that this cap will be £9,790 for 2026/27 and £10,050 for 2027/28, in both cases subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Government has also indicated that from the 2028/29 academic year onwards, the fee cap may be adjusted annually in line with inflation. As a result, tuition fees in future years may increase in line with inflation. We will provide confirmation of any changes as early as possible in advance of each academic year.
The university reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament.
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
You may be eligible to apply for a bursary from the College of Policing if you are a current member. Please liaise direct with the College of Policing for further information.
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.
International requirements
IELTS
6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English language proficiency test.
Further information
-
DBS, Occupational Health requirements
Is a DBS check required?
No
OCR National acceptability
- National Certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- National Diploma: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Diploma: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
Can this course be deferred?
Yes
-
RPL
Applicants should be able to evidence three to four years of relevant experience in their relevant roles.
The course is designed to develop students for careers in policing and law enforcement, security and other allied professions and is ideal for current holders of the Foundation Degree in Policing and acts as a ‘top-up’ in those circumstances.
However, there are routes into the programme that cater for people without previous formal qualifications but possess relevant experience within policing; including support staff and they are actively encouraged to apply.
This process is called RPEL (recognition of previous experiential learning) and those applicants wishing to utilise this route will be required to supply relevant evidence that meet specific learning outcomes, but guidance will be provided from the programme leader.
There is further information on this process via the College of Policing website.
Students then join the programme at Level 6 (Year 3 of an undergraduate programme, having been awarded RPEL for Levels 4 and 5).
Students who have successfully completed a Foundation Degree in Policing or a Foundation Degree in Criminal Investigation can apply for advanced standing onto the programme, via the LJMU Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning process. The student must be able to provide evidence of the learning outcomes achieved on the Foundation Degree and these will be mapped against the Level 4 and Level 5 learning outcomes on the 36132 BA Professional Policing programme.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
There are routes into the programme that cater for people without previous formal qualifications, but possess relevant experience within policing; including support staff and they are actively encouraged to apply.
This process is called RPEL (recognition of previous experiential learning) and those applicants wishing to utilise this route will be required to supply relevant evidence that meet specific learning outcomes, but guidance will be provided from the programme leader.
There is further information on this process on the College of Policing website.
Students then join the programme at Level 6 (Year 3 of an undergraduate programme, having been awarded RPEL for Levels 4 and 5).
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