BSc(Hons) Professional Policing

Content

The College is currently finalising the topics of study and module titles for this course. However, the following is indicative of the course structure:

Year one

You'll study:

• Core Policing Functions: Culture and Structure
• Core Policing Functions: Legislation and Powers
• Introduction to Evidence-based Policing
• Investigating Crime
• Principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity
• Volume and Priority Crime.

Year two

You'll study:

• Analysing Trends in Serious and Organised Crime
• Core Policing Functions: Communities and Partnerships
• Protecting Victims, Witnesses and the Public
• Revealing Risk and Vulnerability.

Placement year (if applicable)

If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after Year two.

See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.

Final year

You'll study:

• Creating Change in the Criminal Justice System
• Digital Policing
• Ethical Policing: Conduct, Challenges, Consequences
• Evidence-Based Research Project
• Policing Threats.

Plus, one optional module from (if you haven't completed a placement):

• Green Criminology: Environment, Crime and Justice
• Missing People: Lost Identities and Social Harm
• Operational Policing
• Risk and Risk Management
• Terrorism: History, Myths and Policy.

This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different. 

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you. 

Learning and Teaching

Learn through a blend of online and face-to-face teaching, including lectures and seminars. Your teaching will be supported by hands-on practical activities to prepare you for policing in the real world.

You'll be taught by policing experts with a wealth of experience working in the police force and criminal justice system. At key points in the course, you'll also be taught in tandem with our operational policing colleagues, enabling you to learn the latest industry developments from professionals in practice.

Through integrating with criminology students and police apprentices you'll benefit from our diverse learning community. This includes simulated learning in our bespoke simulation suite, which opened in 2022/23. Fully equipped with domestic and commercial spaces, you'll apply your skills to different mock settings.

You'll also experience scheduled days of cultural emersion, where you'll visit local charities and community groups, offering insight into community policing and working with the public.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Study time

The course requires students to attend weekly classroom-based teaching which is enhanced with online learning, simulation and immersive activities to familiarise learners with the operational policing context. Students will also spend time working independently and in groups on study tasks, to prepare seminar tasks and to engage with relevant literature and legislation. The course structure is almost entirely compulsory as it follows the National Policing Curriculum.

Assessment

From the start, you'll be assessed through a range of practice-oriented methods that reflect policing in the real world. All assessments will be based on typical types of work or skills that you'll experience in a professional policing environment.

Our assessment methods include: sitting multiple-choice exams based on the same tests that police officers take, reflecting on simulated learning experiences, creating blogs or podcasts to explain aspects of police work to different types of audience, and developing an evidence-based policing mindset through a research project.

Through our professional links, experts working in the criminal justice system will set you live briefs. These activities will test your creative problem solving, enabling you to create your own solutions to solve real practical challenges.