If you love to be at the centre of your community, working to ensure those in need are supported, a degree in Police Studies with Criminal Investigation gives you the perfect opportunity to learn about the contemporary policing challenges and criminal justice processes at the heart of this sector.
We’re proud of our strong reputation, which we have developed during our 15 year plus partnership with Thames Valley Police to deliver our policing programmes.
There is a current demand for recruiting new police officers and non-warranted police staff from all communities to undertake challenging front line roles.
If you are seeking to gain a broader understanding of policing, from criminal law to major crime investigations then our BSc (Hons) Police Studies with Criminal Investigation programme will give you the opportunity to explore the different routes you can develop your chosen career path.
These sectors never rest and can involve working in challenging and complex situations; the learnings you will take from this course and our highly experienced lecturers will help put you in a great position to move into the world of work.
We’ve designed our BSc (Hons) Police Studies with Criminal Investigation to help you become part of the exciting, ever-changing worlds of policing and criminal justice. You will learn from skilled lecturers within the School of Aviation and Security who have a high level of knowledge, based on past and current work in their specialist areas.
In addition, throughout the course you’ll hear from experienced practitioners delivering guest talks that cover contemporary policing topics and what they’ve experienced in their careers.
At BNU, we recognise roles in this field can be hands-on – that’s why you’ll take part in simulated learning experiences throughout the course using our specialised facilities, including our Police Code of Practice Suite. You’ll also be able to use our library to support your studies, whether you’re looking for the resources you need or just a quiet place to study.
Getting tangible work experience brings the theory to life and will enhance your employability in the sector. Through our strong partnership with Thames Valley Police, you will be able to apply for a volunteer special constable position while studying for your degree. Selection to perform this voluntary Special Constable role is subject to a selection process and criteria owned by Thames Valley Police.
Other valuable volunteering opportunities in non-operational areas of policing or the wider criminal justice system and community initiatives are also available and encouraged.
As a BNU student, you will automatically become a member of Bucks Students’ Union giving you access to a wide range of services that we offer for free as part of our exclusive Big Deal package. Unlike many UK universities, we offer our members free access to a diverse and exciting range of activities, allowing you to experience new things, socialise with broader groups of people and boost your employability – all to enrich your university experience.
Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers.
Applicants should be aware that graduates who complete this degree and successfully apply to become police constables will have to undertake a graduate conversion programme during their initial police officer training.
You’ll get to hone your professional skills in our Police Code of Practice Suite. This regularly updated facility includes a mock bedsit, custody desk and suspect interview room, as well as adjoining seminar rooms with a live audio and video feed.
You’ll observe and understand theory by practising core policing processes such as arrest and interview of suspects, and searching premises, in a safe, controlled environment. Our library is the perfect place to find the resources you need and a quiet place to study, filled with four floors of books, journals, computer suites and study rooms. Or, if you’d rather work off campus, e-Journals and resources are only a few clicks away using our Virtual Learning Environment.
Alongside the demands of operational and investigative policing, you will enjoy a curriculum that covers a wide range of areas such as:
- criminal law and justice
- social science related research
- operational policing priorities
- miscarriages of justice
- major crime investigations.
You’ll gain exposure to some of the real challenges facing policing and investigative work today, exploring current reforms and what they mean, and looking at the importance of accountability, citizenship and ethics.
You will leave the course with:
- a solid base knowledge of policing and criminal justice, drawing on aspects of criminology, criminal justice and sociology
- an understanding of key areas of contemporary operational policing and criminal investigation, including the role of the investigator, forensic considerations, the investigatory framework, cyber-related crime, human rights and ethics
- strong critical thinking, analysis and communication skills
- an insight into different areas and roles within the criminal justice system, so you can see where your interests lie
For further details please visit our website.
