Policing and Applied Criminal Investigations (with Foundation Year) Bachelor of Science - BSc

Whether working in the private security sector, as part of a legal team or within policing, many roles now require the technical skills and legal knowledge you gain from this employment-focused degree. You develop an enquiring mindset in a structured and safe environment, expanding your analytical abilities and understanding across a range of areas related to policing and criminal investigations. By the end of the course, you will have a solid grasp of the investigation process, ensuring you can hit the ground running in a fast-paced work environment.

The course aligns to the curriculum of the National Investigators Exam (NIE) as well as with Policing and Law QAA benchmarking.

Foundation Year

Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an undergraduate course, taking a Foundation Year can provide a fantastic entry route to a degree-level qualification. The Foundation Year supports you to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy while exploring a range of subject-specific content so you are fully prepared for the core three-year course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your degree.

Facilities and specialist equipment

* Mock-custody suite

* Police interview room

* Scene-of-crime ‘flat’

* Simulation floor that takes you from a mock home to hospital, giving you hands-on experience of a range of scenarios

Career-powered links\
We have robust associations with criminal justice stakeholders, local councils, companies, and voluntary sector and practitioners, which open up opportunities for volunteering and work placements in the community or in practice. We also have strong links with Bedfordshire and Thames Valley police forces offering opportunities for placements within their service.

Your student experience

The course has been developed and is taught by retired police officers with an extensive professional background in policing and investigations.

Take up opportunities for volunteering, placement and work-based learning on a course that blends practical and scenario-based learning with theory.

Develop specific skills in investigations, interviewing, managing evidence and building a case.

Put theory into practice in our mock-custody suite, police interview room and scene-of-crime ‘flat’.

Undertake virtual placements with simulation learning software.

Build transferable skills in areas such as management and leadership, research analysis, IT/digital proficiency and being a changemaker in your field.

Interact with local charities, policymakers and community influencers with our #SASS Change Maker initiative, which aims to increase awareness of and response to topical societal issues.

Specialised learning support and guidance from academic success coaches.