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Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies

Entry requirements

Here's what you will need to get a place on the Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies course at De Montfort University.

Select a qualification to see required grades

A level

112 UCAS points from at least 2 A-levels

Most popular A-levels studied

See who's studying at De Montfort University. These students are taking Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies or another course from the same subject area.

Social policy
SubjectGrade
PsychologyC
SociologyB
LawD
Business StudiesC
Fine ArtB
Source: HESA

Course summary

What this course is about

UCAS code: 5LN3

Here's what De Montfort University says about its Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies course.

If you're passionate about policing and criminal investigation but don't necessarily want to join the police force, this course is the perfect fit. It equips you with the skills needed for ethical professional practice in the criminal justice or private sectors. From critical thinking and decision-making to leadership and investigative management, you'll gain knowledge tailored to real-world challenges.

In your first year, you'll explore foundational topics shared with criminology students, providing a broader perspective on crime and policing. In the second year, you'll begin to specialize, studying leadership in criminal investigation and choosing elective modules to deepen your understanding. By the third year, your studies will focus on advanced investigative management and leadership, preparing you for a career in criminal justice.

Taught by experienced academics with practical expertise in policing and criminology, this course combines academic theory with real-world application. Placement opportunities and international experiences like DMU Global will help you stand out in a competitive field.

  • Industry-informed teaching:? Learn from experienced academics with real-world policing and criminology backgrounds.

  • Contemporary topics:? Study modules like Introduction to Criminology, Investigative Management and Leadership, and Multi-Agency Working.

  • Industry experience: ?Visits to criminal justice providers e.g. police, provide industry insight and learning to inform your practice

  • Global experience: ?Benefit from DMU Global with the opportunity to visit the Department for Police Work at Malmo University, Sweden to actively experience international policing and training.

  • Become career ready: Our graduates thrive in roles such as police officers, aviation security officers, and Crown Court clerks—making an impact at organisations like Leicestershire Police, the National Crime Agency, Manchester Airports Group, His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service, and major retail fraud and intelligence departments.

  • Focused?learning:? Block teaching lets you focus on one subject at a time.

Source: De Montfort University

Course details

Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Department

Health and Life Sciences

Location

Leicester Campus | Leicester

Duration

3 Years

Study mode

Full-time

Subjects

• Criminal justice

• Social policy

• Security policy

Start date

September 2026

Application deadline

14 January 2026

Tuition fees

LocationFees
England£9,790 per year
Scotland£9,790 per year
Wales£9,790 per year
Northern Ireland£9,790 per year
Channel Islands£9,790 per year
Republic of Ireland£9,790 per year
EU£16,800 per year
International£16,800 per year

The modules you will study

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

How you will be assessed

We use a variety of teaching methods on the course which include:

*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 to Assessments.

De Montfort University student reviews

(4)
Based on 138 reviews from De Montfort University's students and alumni
5 star
37%
4 star
30%
3 star
25%
2 star
6%
1 star
2%
All reviews

Showing 131 reviews

Graduate

Computer games graphics

11 months ago

It was Covid, so not really the univeristies' fault. But Leicester made me feel unsafe all the time. It was not uncommon to see loud arguments and fights in public placements or be repeatedly harassed and followed for money in the street. Catcalling was so commonplace no women I knew walked alone.

(3)
University life

Graduate

Computer games graphics

11 months ago

Cost of living in leicester is relatively cheap. I was charged full fees despite effectively being on placement during my final year.

(4)
Finance

Graduate

Computer games graphics

11 months ago

I accessed autism support, faculty placement services and received some specific support from lecturers which was all of a high standard

(5)
Support

Graduate

Computer games graphics

11 months ago

Facilities were excellent, computer labs well equipped, would've just been nice to get our subject-specific software on library computers as well as our dedicated studios.

(5)
Facilities

Graduate

Computer games graphics

11 months ago

There was more they could've done - particularly with some niche subject-specific knowledge - but given the resources they did have and the existing knowledge of the staff, they did a great job.

(4)
Course

Graduate

Computer games graphics

11 months ago

De Montfort has a great campus and good student support services. I felt like the quality of teaching on my course was of a good standard. Leicester as a city often feels unsafe when alone.

(4)
Overall

National Student Survey (NSS) scores at De Montfort University

The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.

Here you can see ratings from De Montfort University students who took the Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies course - or another course in the same subject area.

Social policy

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

80%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

91%

med

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

82%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

68%

low

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

82%

low

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

86%

med

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

91%

high

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

89%

med

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

68%

low

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

88%

med

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

84%

med

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

84%

high

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

61%

low

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

91%

high

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

86%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

95%

high

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

61%

low

How well organised is your course?

55%

low

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

62%

low

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

80%

low

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

88%

med

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

68%

med

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

75%

low

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

77%

med

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

55%

low

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

80%

low

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

85%

med

Student information

See who's studying at De Montfort University. These students are taking Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies or another course from the same subject area.

Social policy
Mode of study
Full-time100%
Gender ratio
Female61%Male39%
Where students come from
International3%UK97%
Student performance
2:1 or above75%
Number of students225
Source: HESA

Graduate prospects

What graduates do next

Facts and figures about De Montfort University graduates who took Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies - or another course in the same subject area.

Social sciences

Graduate statistics

65%

In a job where degree was essential or beneficial

84%

In work, study or other activity

73%

Say it fits with future plans

61%

Are utilising studies

Top job areas

23%

Welfare Professionals

11%

Administrative occupations

9%

Business and public service associate professionals

7%

Protective service occupations

Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates

Earnings after graduation

Earnings from De Montfort University graduates who took Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies - or another course in the same subject area.

Sociology, social policy and anthropology

Earnings

£21.9k

First year after graduation

£25.6k

Third year after graduation

£25.6k

Fifth year after graduation

Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies.

Source: LEO

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree

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De Montfort University (otherwise abbreviated to DMU) is a diverse and dynamic university located in Leicester, UK. We are well known for our high rates of graduate employability, thanks to our Award-Winning Careers Team, and our dedication to helping students achieve the lifestyle and career aspirations they work towards.

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