Are you interested in a career in the police or as a civilian or corporate investigator?
Do you want to develop the skills needed to carry out investigations within law enforcement organisations or businesses to help solve and prevent crime, fraud and corruption?
Our Policing and Investigation degree brings together the theory, policy and practice of policing and investigations, criminology, forensics and criminal justice.
On this course, you’ll study criminal and corporate investigation and the investigative process. You’ll gain a solid foundation in policing and the wider Criminal Justice System and the contemporary challenges facing police officers, criminal investigators and civilian investigators.
Academics who have held senior-level positions in policing organisations will share their experience with you as you explore interviewing, victimology and forensic psychology and their application across all areas of policing and investigation work.
Throughout your studies, you’ll consider a range of investigative case studies and explore historical, empirical and theoretical approaches to key issues in evidence gathering and criminal justice.
You’ll undertake professional work placements during your degree, so you’ll be able to apply your theoretical knowledge to the real-world and gain invaluable experience relevant to your future career.
In your final year, you can choose to study topics that interest you the most, including murder investigations, forensics, domestic abuse or sexual violence.
Outside of your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to take specialist employability skills courses to enhance your CV and help you stand out in a competitive job market. These optional short courses blend theory and practical application, so you’ll develop real-world knowledge and expertise as well as the confidence needed to excel in your chosen career in law enforcement, offender rehabilitation, intelligence analysis, social justice or the wider criminal justice system.
By the time you finish your studies, we aim to have helped you to become a confident, knowledgeable graduate with the investigative mindset needed for a successful career in policing or investigation.
You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
During your first year, you'll study four core modules.
You'll look at the purpose of the police service and the responsibilities of those charged with delivering a professional service, particularly at constable level. You'll review the role of law enforcement agencies and be able to understand the concept and principles of policing by consent.
Cover the structure of the police service and members of the service, paying attention to both police constable and investigatory roles. You'll also look at police powers and how these powers are regulated.
Grasp a clear understanding of how the police exercise police powers and procedures fairly and without bias.
Develop a clear understanding of national policing strategies and the role of external bodies to regulate policing, the importance of governance and data protection. Examine and understand the purpose of reviews, instances of malpractice and misconduct and how this influences the future of policing.
You'll be able to appreciate the purpose, benefits, and challenges of contemporary issues in policing communities in a variety of contexts.
Explore the function of community perception, trust and confidence and the key issues in this area. Appreciate the importance of community engagement and understand how to foster effective community relationships.
Study the importance of media in a policing and investigation context.
You'll research diverse types of communities and public engagement, drawing on theoretical frameworks. Case studies will be used to assess strengths and weaknesses of the approach to policing and investigating diverse types of community. The legislative framework of PACE and CPIA will be used as a lens for application and discussion.
You'll be introduced to community groups and will spend time learning what makes a community group effective, and how engagement, participation and power all play a role in effecting positive social change.
Explore the fundamental skills required for effective investigation, and identify, articulate and demonstrate skills necessary for maintaining professional standards in policing, and relevant governance.
Analyse how the police have developed policies and procedures to reduce the possibility of professional malpractice; then review the progress being made within the police service to improve professional standards.
Examine the NDM and the role of discretion in the decision-making process and analyse the effect of bias.
You'll explore principles of risk, and effective risk management, and critically review policing incidents in this context as well as understand the importance of effective leadership and team-working in an investigative environment.
You'll be introduced to the Authorised Professional Practice (APP) which is the official source of professional practice for policing. In particular, the Code of Practice to the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) 1996, which defines criminal investigation.
You'll be introduced to problem-solving techniques, sources of evidence which can be used to support policing practice, and the models used to differentiate between types of evidence, to identify best practice.
Explore different models used in problem solving and crime prevention, such as: problem-oriented policing (POP), ‘hot spot’ policing, intelligence-led policing, predictive policing, the Problem Analysis Triangle (PAT), rational choice theory (criminological), and situational crime prevention, amongst others.
Engage in effective problem solving of policing issues in role plays, scenarios and table-top exercises.
You'll explore the professional concept of evidence-based policing and the impact of evidence-based policing in practice. Consider the importance of partnership working and co-production in problem-solving; and the challenges of using multiple sources of data and different timescales to help define and understand problems in practice.
Learn the fundamentals of research, asking key questions to inform future directions, how to develop a range of options, evaluate them, develop the most appropriate solutions to policing problems and the potential consequences.
You'll be required to identify and understand an emerging issue or problem in a specific policing area and plan a research-based intervention to tackle the identified issue/problem.
During your second year, you'll study three core modules and be required to choose one option module.
Explore the evolving role and status of victims of crime within contemporary criminal justice and societal contexts.
It examines changes in cultural perceptions, policy, and practice that have positioned victims’ rights as central to criminal investigation, justice processes, and restorative approaches.
You’ll consider the physical, psychological, emotional, and social impacts of victimisation, alongside ethical issues surrounding victim participation in investigations.
There’ll be a focus on the role of victims within the investigative process, highlighting how ethical, professional, and legal conduct can influence investigative outcomes.
Learning is supported by the development of practical investigatory interviewing skills, aligned to professional standards and ethical best practice.
Building from your first-year studies, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of effective and ethical criminal investigation and its relationship to the justice process.
You’ll examine the legislative and professional frameworks governing criminal investigations, including authorised professional practice (APP), CPS requirements, and evidential thresholds required to bring a prosecution.
Explore the purpose and operation of the criminal justice system, the role of investigators within it, and the impact of diversity, conduct, and complaints on justice outcomes
You'll explore how to collect, analyse, display and explain social science research data.
You'll find out what it means to be research literate and how to apply this to employment, policies and organisational considerations.
We'll focus on qualitative and mixed methodology in one semester and quantitative methodology in another semester.
You'll look at different ways to communicate research and identify methods used by social scientists.
You'll be able to critically evaluate the strength of research findings and identify appropriate ethical considerations.
You'll also develop skills to plan and begin an independent research project.
You'll finish the module with a six-week professional placement, using your research methods skills and knowledge to think about how research may inform the approaches taken in the workplace.
You can opt to do at least 60 hours of volunteer work instead, spreading out your placement activity over two semesters.
You’ll examine the role of expert evidence, from different perspectives, and critically analyse the weight given to different forms of evidence, and diverse types of witness, particularly in a formal setting such as Court.
Investigate and critically analyse real cases and reviews, looking at decision making, and actions taken, to highlight the importance of compliance with the protocols and regulatory framework associated with criminal case reviews, which govern the criminal litigation process.
During your final year, you'll study four core modules and will be required to choose one option module.
Understand serious and organised crime with a particular focus on digital crime and counter terrorism.
You’ll explore policing technologies and the emerging prevalence of digitally facilitated crimes, you’ll consider the role of the dark web, social media, hacking and the variety of devices being used in policing and crime contexts.
Explore the key counter terror terminology and concepts and the organisational structure that exist in counter terrorism policing. There will be a particular focus on key legislation that is relevant to counter terrorism policing, gathering intelligence and how to prevent home grown terrorism.
You’ll consider how technology may be used in everyday policing, from community engagement to data analysis and criminal investigations. You’ll be introduced to legislation and regulations concerning the use of policing technologies and specific legislation associated with digital facilitated crimes.
Cover the essential knowledge required to deal with the threat of terrorism including terminology and concepts, forms of interventions, the organisational structure, and inter-relationships that exist in policing.
Examine diverse types of crime and evidence, considering the importance of effective evidence management and adherence to policy, legislation, and Authorised Professional Practice.
Complex and serious cases, including live and cold investigations, are used to explore investigative decision‑making, resource allocation, and the experiences of victims and witnesses.
Develop your understanding of intelligence‑led policing through the National Intelligence Model and supports application of the National Decision Model in operational contexts.
Emphasis is placed on investigative interviewing, critical analysis of case studies, and preparation for professional standards including the National Investigators Examination.
You'll have a flexible range of opportunities to enhance your professional skills and graduate opportunities as this module will be tailored to each student's development.
You'll apply the theoretical understanding you've been developing throughout your degree to a chosen professional context. This could include a work-based project or skills development approach where you will identify and address specific gaps in your portfolio of graduate-level skills.
Conduct research on issues for modern investigations. You’ll choose a specific issue relevant to their chosen interest, which you’ll research using sound academic research methodology.
Exploration of research options, sound research practices and appropriate presentation of the findings will be taught in lectures and one to one supervision creating a bespoke teaching element to this module.
Explore the concept of miscarriages of justice, examining the role of power, decision‑making, and accountability within public service and criminal justice systems.
You’ll critically analyse high‑profile cases to understand how abuses of power, organisational culture, and systemic failures can lead to injustice and long‑term societal impact.
Consider the complex social, political, and ethical dynamics that influence such cases, including the experiences of individuals and communities seeking justice.
You’ll evaluate the relationship between public perception, media representation, and institutional response in shaping narratives of justice and injustice.
Emphasis is placed on developing critical insight into power, responsibility, and the consequences of failures in safeguarding justice.
Examine the complex nature of murder, exploring the psychological, investigative, and legal dimensions underpinning such offences.
You’ll follow the chronology of murder from the development of offender motivations through to investigation and sentencing, considering the interplay between behaviour, evidence, and legal frameworks.
Emphasis is placed on developing understanding of both the analysis and investigation of serious violent crime from crime scene to trial.
We'll explore how much criminological theory can help us understand criminality and harm in the 21st century.
We've already seen dramatic transformations with protests and uprisings, climate change, a global financial crisis and the birth of social media and the dark web.
You'll critically assess which theories can help us understand and respond to the negative consequences of these changes, and why we are willing to inflict harm on others and ourselves.
You'll develop an in-depth understand of 21st century policing issues such as cybercrime and terrorism.
We'll explore the role of intelligence agencies and how effective they are at fighting security issues in Britain.
You'll get a critical awareness of the role of police and agencies such as the National Crime Agency and British Security Service (MI5).
You'll explore the key fields of both Convict Criminology and Lived Experience Criminology and their implications, including thematic, empirical and conceptual contributions and be encouraged to critically evaluate the recent developments of people with ‘lived experience’ of criminality and incarceration to criminological perspectives. The module will scrutinise and conclude whether these contributions are likely to enhance or inhibit knowledge production within the field of criminology.
Experience matters. That's why we embed professional work placements within the majority of our standard undergraduate degrees.
Careers+Placements will work with you to find a placement or help you to arrange your own, whether that's in Leeds, another part of the UK or even abroad. You will be able to take part in a series of workshops, events and live ‘employer challenges’ to boost your confidence and prepare you for your placement.
During your placement, you could have an opportunity to gain degree-relevant work experience, build your knowledge of career sectors and secure valuable employer references and industry contacts. This experience will help you to shape your career decisions and find the right path for you.
You will undertake professional work placements to enhance your learning and support you to develop key employability skills and relevant experience for your chosen career. Your placement could be with a variety of organisations within the statutory and voluntary sector involved with investigations, victim support, miscarriages of justice, addiction services and many others.
To find out how we can help you make your career ambitions a reality, visit:
Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement.
Information about the large range of qualifications we accept, including A-Levels, BTECs and T Levels, can be found on our entry requirements page. If you need additional advice or are taking qualifications that are not covered in the information supplied, please contact our Admissions Office.
Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement.
The following information is designed to give you a general overview of the qualifications we accept. If you are taking qualifications that are not included below, please contact our Admissions Office who will be happy to advise you.
| UCAS tariff | 104-96 |
For full-time undergraduate courses, you apply through UCAS. That's the University and Colleges Admissions Service.
On your application form, you'll need to know our institution code - it's L24 - and the course code. If you click through to the UCAS website using the button below, it'll take you to the right place with all the information you need.
As part of your application, you'll need to write a personal statement - we've prepared a guide to help you.
There's lots more information about the application process on the UCAS website, or you can get in touch with our Admissions team who will be happy to help:
Providing you with the opportunity to develop the professional skills and experience you need to launch your career is at the heart of everything we do at Leeds Trinity University.
A degree in policing and investigation can prepare you for a career in the police or probation service, but also offers routes to an investigative career within government or other public or private sector organisations.
Employment opportunities also exist with the National Crime Agency, government departments such as the Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC (investigating fraud or smuggling); banks and financial institutions; insurance companies; legal firms; loss prevention and private security companies; private investigation firms and fraud and intelligence departments of high-profile retail businesses.
Alternatively, you may choose to continue on to postgraduate study or academic research into an area of policing and investigations, criminology, forensics and criminal justice.
After you graduate, Careers and Placements will help you as you pursue your chosen career through our mentoring scheme, support with CV and interview preparation and access to graduate employability events.
To find out how we can help you make your career ambitions a reality, visit: