Criminology with Policing (including a Foundation Year)

UCAS code: M9L0

Here's what University of Chester says about its Criminology with Policing (including a Foundation Year) course.

Embark on a fascinating journey into the world of Criminology with Policing at the University of Chester, where academic rigour meets real-world application. This innovative undergraduate degree is tailored for those who are passionate about understanding crime, its causes, and the intricacies of the criminal justice system while also gaining a deep insight into the pivotal role of policing in society.

Our course is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of criminology and its intersection with law enforcement. You will delve into critical topics such as criminal behaviour, risk, social justice, punishments, and the impact of crime on individuals and communities. Our curriculum is continually updated to reflect the latest trends and challenges in the field, ensuring you are well-prepared for the complexities of modern crime and policing.

Beyond classroom learning, the University of Chester provides experiential opportunities through partnerships with local and national agencies, industry specialists and the third sector. These hands-on experiences are invaluable in developing practical skills and understanding the realities of policing and criminal justice work.

Our staff are experts in their respective fields and are committed to guiding you through your academic journey. They bring a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience, enriching your learning with current, relevant insights.

Graduating from this course opens doors to a variety of careers including criminal justice, law enforcement, victim advocacy, policy and research, and beyond. Our degree equips you with the knowledge and skills to pursue your passion.

Foundation Year courses have been designed for students who do not have the necessary academic qualifications needed to enter directly into the first year of a degree but who have the ability and commitment to do so. Once the Foundation Year has been completed successfully, you can then go on to complete your degree.

This course promotes the strengths and best interests of students to prepare you to enter into the real world of criminology and criminal justice. This course develops socially aware students who learn criminology from an interdisciplinary and international perspective. You will explore theoretical and practical understandings of crime, harm and victimisation applying knowledge and building understanding of the criminal justice system and journey. There is a clear social justice focus throughout which critically reviews media landscapes and their impacts to society. We critically reflect upon marginalised communities including how stereotypes and representations can lead to disproportionately that exists within criminal justice settings. There is an exploration of experiences of punishments and injustices which are considered in a context of promoting social change. You will develop an active voice as a reflective academic and researcher with cultural awareness and sensitivity in responding to real world problems relevant to criminology and criminal justice. By the end of their course, they can articulate their varying attributes relevant to a range of employment roles and opportunities.

The three 40 credit Policing modules are aspects of the BSc Degree in Professional Policing and reflect the College of Policing (the professional body of the police) current policing curriculum. They are practical based modules affording realistic activities and assessments to provide skills in relation to policing and investigative practices. The modules provide transferable skills for employment with policing or wider law enforcement.

This modules will be taught over 10 weeks, with approximately 12 hours per week of scheduled contact hours. This course is delivered with the majority being in person learning however there may be elements of online learning. You can expect to take part in lectures, workshops and peer-led seminars. You should expect to spend an average of 10-20 hours per week on independent study which might include following asynchronous learning material, tutorial time with staff, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment. Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, you will study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately 6 and 10 hours per week depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is delivered through a mix of in person and online learning. You can expect to take part in lectures, workshops and peer-led seminars.

You should expect to spend an average of 30 – 34 hours per week on independent study which might include following asynchronous learning material, tutorial time with staff, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment. Teaching will be delivered by experience academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.

There will be a broad range of Criminology assessment methods so that you are exposed to the different types of tasks you might encounter in the workplace. These will include coursework in the form of essays (long and short form), portfolios and presentations. Assessment support is provided throughout the modules. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare students for graduate level employment.

Formative and summative assessments have been designed to authentically reflect professional policing through the production of material utilised within policing, thereby developing effective and robust transferable skills in graduates. The modules will include an exam and essays together with practical authentic assessments such as witness /suspect interviews, investigative decision logs, and giving evidence in a court room. The assessment methods are continuously reviewed so that they reflect the requirements of the College of Policing and used in order that they adequately prepare you for graduate level employment.