2023/24 entry
BA (Hons) Policing and Investigations
Why study Policing and Investigations at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Can be studied full-time over three years, or part-time over four years
- A new degree programme designed to focus students on the field of investigation, which may be attractive to students who want to progress into an investigative field
- Innovative and thought-provoking modules both reflect and challenge current policing practices and debates
- You will be taught in the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies by lecturers with academic and professional backgrounds in policing
- Regular career workshops and symposiums delivered by police officers and police career specialists to prepare you for a career in policing, security, risk management or criminal justice
- Opportunities to gain real-life experience of policing as a Special Police Constable, police volunteer or work in a related field
About your course
The new BA (Hons) Policing and Investigation at Liverpool John Moores University provides students with the knowledge and skills to consider direct entry into the role of a detective.
Direct entry in to policing detective roles is now common place through the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) route and many students do not see themselves in a uniform role.
This degree has been designed with modules written to have a greater focus on this area.
We have developed this programme over many years of policing studies degree delivery, working with Merseyside Police Constabulary, College of Policing and other key stakeholders in the policing and criminal justice sectors. The resulting programme of study is a brand new course, which prepares students for the diverse world of investigative techniques, routes to detective specialisms and preparation for a rewarding career.
Modules you will study have been written to ready students for an investigative career.
Topics such as the Psychology of Investigation, Investigating Serious and Complex Cases and Professional Standards, Governance and Accountability are all covered in the proposed module structure for this new programme of study.
Alongside the new modules, are new facilities that have been designed specifically for Policing students to explore investigative methods, the proper use of forensics, evidence and intelligence gathering at crime scenes.
We also offer students a variety of study trips and experiences, including the Emergency Services Training Centre and trips abroad such as the Henry C. Lee Institute in New York City.
"The Chief Officers of the force have been pleased with the programme at LJMU and view it as being a significant development with regards to assisting professionalisation and the development of the workforce."
Professional accreditation/links
All of our qualifications conform to the professional and regulatory guidelines established by The College of Policing and have been developed to reflect changes in the way that police constabularies are recruiting new constables nationally.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- Library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to programme-appropriate software
- Library and student IT support
- Free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
Employability
Once you complete this degree, you will have the knowledge, skills and qualification that makes you an attractive candidate for recruitment by the police service or other employers in this field, such as fraud investigation, forensics and security.
Alternatively you may consider pursuing a postgraduate degree in Policing, Criminal Justice or Law, or a career that is not directly concerned with policing e.g. roles within the armed services, prison service, social work or criminal justice-related roles within the Civil Service.
Successful completion of the BA (Hons) programme does not in itself provide any guarantee of recruitment as a trainee Police Constable.
Each police force within England and Wales sets out its own recruitment process and selection policy and entry requirements vary from force to force. You are therefore strongly advised to check the specific requirements of your chosen force prior to undertaking study.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
We are committed to ensuring all our students experience a transformation in their employability skills and mindset and their career trajectory. A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course.
Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose. It will enable you to become more proactive, adaptable and resilient in your awareness and approach to career possibilities.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU’s state-of-the-art suite of online tools, resources and jobs board. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU’s in-house recruitment service, ensuring students can build experience whilst they study.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones to accelerate your job search and applications, CV and interview technique. Themed careers and employability workshops, a programme of employer events and recruitment fairs run throughout the year and students have the opportunity to hear from a range of alumni who openly share their own onward experience.
Student Futures work with businesses to create opportunities for fully funded internships which help students increase their network within the Liverpool City Region and beyond. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU’s Careers, Employability and Enterprise Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
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What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance on core and option modules for further information on what you will study
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or option in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations.
Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules may also be included to provide you with an element of choice within the programme. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Level 4
Core modules
Exploring Policing and Investigation Studies - Skills for Success
20 credits
In this module you will develop your academic skills including referencing and writing. You will research the court system in England and Wales and develop team work in a shared research project.
Introduction to Policing and investigation
20 credits
This module aims to help you understand key theories and concepts relevant to policing and the wider criminal justice system by examining the chronological development of policing and other institutions within the system, landmark events and their inter-relationship and relevance.
Professional Standards, Governance and Accountability
20 credits
Criminal Law, Practice, and Procedure
20 credits
This module aims to introduce you to the role, responsibilities and powers of the police in differing societal and operational environments. The module provides you with a critical introduction to the foundations of criminal law and the criminal justice system. You will identify the key ingredients of a criminal offence, the varying liability of third parties, and common defences prescribed by criminal law, highlighting the importance of police integrity and the role played by police officers in the successful application of criminal law sanctions.
Technology in Policing and Investigation
20 credits
This module will introduce you to the legal, professional and ethical issues relating to the use of a broad range of technologies in the policing and law enforcement context. You will explore the issues around social media and its use in the personal and professional context and the criminal use of technologies and the challenges this presents.
Introduction to Criminology for Policing
20 credits
This module will introduce you to a core of key concepts to encourage you to reflect upon the contribution of criminological theory and to understand contemporary crime issues and policing responses to them.
Level 5
Core modules
Policing Communities
20 credits
This module aims to develop your understanding of the concept of equality and diversity. It provides you with an opportunity to critically explore factors which have come to inform policing environments and practices, and to reflexively acknowledge how personal behaviours can support the promotion of the principles of equality and diversity within the workplace and the wider community.
Psychology of Investigation
20 credits
Practice, Procedure and the Criminal Law 2
20 credits
The module aims to introduce you to aspects of the criminal law and police powers. At the end of the module, you will be able to identify and critically appraise the extent of these laws and powers, alongside exploring relevant legislation, policy and practice guidance.
Conducting Investigations
20 credits
The module aims to develop your understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters for the investigation of criminal offences and provide the opportunity for you to demonstrate and explain investigative procedures through the use of case studies and crime scene practical's. It will also provide an opportunity to critically explore the range of regulatory processes and professional values which inform practice, theories of team work, communication, issues of professional status and power and working across organisational boundaries.
Community Engagement
20 credits
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters for Policing in England and Wales, alongside the relationship between the statutory and voluntary sector. You will be provided with the opportunity to explore the application of these frameworks through practical learning and application in communities.
Evidence Based Practice
20 credits
This module will develop your understanding of the literature relevant to the concept of evidence based practice as it relates to Policing. You will also explore the epistemological, methodological and ethical underpinnings of the study.
Level 6
Core modules
Research Project
40 credits
The dissertation module encourages you to generate your own original data on an issue similar to the themes of the programme, and to produce a piece of work which engages critically with theory and method. Therefore, it is designed to enhance your research and analytical skills and to encourage you to be a proactive, independent learner through constructing a dissertation which either adds to or challenges existing work in your chosen area.
Multi-Agency Safeguarding
20 credits
The module aims to develop your understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters of multi-agency working arrangements across the sector. There will be an opportunity for you to work across disciplinary boundaries and gain experience through work related learning using 'real life' case studies.
Applying Forensics to Investigations
20 credits
Optional modules
Investigating Serious and Complex Cases 2
20 credits
The module aims to develop your understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters for the investigation of criminal offences. You will be provided with the opportunity to demonstrate and explain investigative procedures through the use of case studies and crime scene practicals.
Application of Intelligence to Policing
20 credits
This programme will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the role, uses and application of intelligence within contemporary policing and partner agencies. You will also develop an understanding of how intelligence can be ethically collected, collated, evaluated, managed and analysed. This will also include the impact of the National Intelligence Model within policing and the wider criminal justice arena.
Terrorism and Counter Terrorism
20 credits
Comparative Studies in Policing
20 credits
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, online activities and seminars. Plus you will be expected to complete independent study and group work and participate in online activities and discussions using our virtual learning environment, Canvas.
Work-related Learning
Work-related learning is incorporated into every level of this programme so that once you graduate you will be equipped with a range of transferable skills and knowledge in analysis and interpretation, presentation, teamwork, initiative and research.
Students interested in becoming a Police Constable after graduation will be strongly encouraged to become a Special Police Constable or police volunteer with Merseyside Police for the duration of your studies so that you can gain practical insight into police operational practices, build professional relationships and enhance your employability skills for police and related criminal justice professions post-graduation.
Support and guidance
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
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.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Ian Pilling
Programme Leader
Ian Pilling
Programme Leader
I have over 31 years experience as a police officer, working in three different forces and completing my service as Deputy Chief Constable in Greater Manchester Police. I have been at LJMU since November 2022 and have previously led on the Policing Communities and Leadership modules. I am passionate about developing talent and providing a quality education to students at LJMU.
This new course combines modules which provide a core foundation in policing skills alongside more contemporary issues and with an emphasis on investigations. The course is ideally suited to those interested in a career in investigations, within a police service or other law enforcement organisation. The programme lecturers are experienced academics and practitioners who share a passion for delivering a high quality education to students at LJMU.
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
Based within the John Foster Building, in the Mount Pleasant Campus, the School of 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 Aldham Robarts Library, which gives 24 hour access to an exceptional range of materials to support your studies.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Minimum points required from qualifications: 104
GCSE and equivalents
Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:
- Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
- NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
- Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
- Higher Diploma in Maths/English
- Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/English
- Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
- Welsh GCSE in Maths or Numeracy
- Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
Please note: Applicants who wish to progress into the police service as a police constable will require passes in Maths and English or equivalent qualifications.
A Levels
- Minimum number of A Levels required: 2
- Is general studies acceptable? Yes
- Average A Level offer: BCC
- Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- Maximum AS Level points accepted: 20
T Levels
- T Level requirements: 104 UCAS Tariff points in a related subject
BTEC qualifications
- National Certificate (RQF): Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- National Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- National Diploma subjects / grades required: D*D if no other level 3 qualifications are taken, or to the total of 104 UCAS tariff points when combined with other qualifcations
- National Extended Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Diploma subjects / grades required: DMM if no other Level 3 qualification taken, or to the total of 104 UCAS tariff points when combined with other qualifcations
Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Further information: At least 9 Distinctions and 36 Merits, or any other combination that equates to 104 UCAS Tariff points in a relevant subject
International Baccalaureate
- International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Additional information: 104 UCAS Tariff points from IB Composite parts, or in combination with other Level 3 qualifications
Welsh awards
- Welsh Baccalaureate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
Irish awards
- Irish Leaving Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Grades / subjects required: 104 UCAS Tariff points with a maximum 20 UCAS Tariff points from Ordinary Level
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
NVQ
- Are Level 3 NVQs acceptable? Acceptable when combined with other qualifications
Alternative qualifications considered
Applications are welcomed from mature and non-standard applicants, who will be considered on an individual basis. These applicants may be required to submit an essay and/or attend an interview, and should demonstrate potential and motivation and/or have relevant experience.
We welcome applications from International applicants who will be considered in line with normal entry requirements.
Reduced Offer Scheme
6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English language proficiency test.
International entry requirementsPlease Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Can this course be deferred?Yes
Is a DBS check required?No
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
Applications are welcomed from mature and non-standard applicants, who will be considered on an individual basis. These applicants may be required to submit an essay and/or attend an interview, and should demonstrate potential and motivation and/or have relevant experience.
International applications will be considered in line with UK qualifications.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.