BSc (Hons) Criminology and Policing with Foundation Year

The BSc (Hons) Criminology and Policing degree combines our expertise in contemporary criminology and professional policing to give you a comprehensive understanding of criminological concepts, theories and ideas that you will be able to apply to current socio-economic policies and conditions. Cutting edge, engaging and employability focused, this course will prepare you for a career within the criminal justice system in roles such as policing, prison and probation, research and youth work. You’ll be encouraged to think critically, look further, and imagine alternative perspectives, building a strong foundation for graduate-level employment or further study.

The programme includes core policing modules covering the Police Constable Role, Police Powers, Custody and Police Interview, Public Protection and Major and Serious Crime, providing a strong foundation for students considering a career in policing through the police degree-holder entry route. Teaching is delivered by expert criminologists and former police officers with real operational experience, offering a practical and research-informed learning experience. Members of the teaching team are actively engaged in criminology and policing research, ensuring that course content reflects current debates, developments and professional practice.

Designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers, the programme develops analytical, practical and professional skills relevant to policing, probation, prisons, youth justice, social justice organisations, research and policy roles. Reflecting the changing needs of employers, our BSc degrees have become increasingly employability-focused, with new modules aligned to the Trainee Probation Officer Programme (PQiP), which may contribute to a reduction in the training period required for that programme. Students also benefit from excellent careers support throughout their studies.

Please note that this BSc Criminology and Policing programme does not qualify as a pre-join degree for direct entry into a police service. Graduates wishing to become police officers would need to enter a police service through the degree-holder entry route.

You will learn through a combination of lectures, workshops, digital media and a wide range of learning resources, including innovative teaching approaches that utilise virtual reality (VR) and metaverse technologies to enable you to experience realistic policing scenarios within selected modules. You will complete research methods modules in your second year and undertake a dissertation in your final year, developing advanced research, analytical, communication and problem-solving skills valued by employers.

Assessment is designed to reflect both academic study and professional practice. Alongside essays and presentations, you will complete authentic real-world tasks such as policy briefing papers, rapid evidence reviews, mock police interviews, role-play exercises, self-reflective diaries and practice-based research methods assessments, culminating in a dissertation. The programme includes only a limited number of exams, focused on assessing knowledge and professional reasoning.