Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies BA (Hons)

De Montfort University

United Kingdom, Leicester

University RankQS Ranking

715

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Home/United Kingdom/Leicester /De Montfort University/Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies BA (Hons)

De Montfort University

United Kingdom , Leicester

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

5LN3

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines10-Sep-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Next Intake 10-Sep-2026

Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies BA (Hons)

About

If you're passionate about policing and criminal investigation but don't necessarily want to join the police force, this course is the perfect fit. It equips you with the skills needed for ethical professional practice in the criminal justice or private sectors. From critical thinking and decision-making to leadership and investigative management, you'll gain knowledge tailored to real-world challenges.

In your first year, you'll explore foundational topics shared with criminology students, providing a broader perspective on crime and policing. In the second year, you'll begin to specialize, studying leadership in criminal investigation and choosing elective modules to deepen your understanding. By the third year, your studies will focus on advanced investigative management and leadership, preparing you for a career in criminal justice.

Taught by experienced academics with practical expertise in policing and criminology, this course combines academic theory with real-world application. Placement opportunities and international experiences like DMU Global will help you stand out in a competitive field.

Industry-informed teaching: Learn from experienced academics with real-world policing and criminology backgrounds.

Contemporary topics: Study modules like Introduction to Criminology, Investigative Management and Leadership, and Multi-Agency Working.

Industry experience: Visits to criminal justice providers e.g. police, provide industry insight and learning to inform your practice

Global experience: Benefit from DMU Global with the opportunity to visit the Department for Police Work at Malmo University, Sweden to actively experience international policing and training.

Become career ready: Our graduates thrive in roles such as police officers, aviation security officers, and Crown Court clerks—making an impact at organisations like Leicestershire Police, the National Crime Agency, Manchester Airports Group, His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service, and major retail fraud and intelligence departments.

Focused learning: Block teaching lets you focus on one subject at a time.

1st for Overall Average Student Satisfaction

Based on the main themes of arrival, living, learning, and support in the 2024 International Student Barometer rankings.

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An ‘Excellent’ Five Star Rated University

Rated by QS Top Universities for our teaching, facilities, employability, global outlook and more.

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The Best Careers Support

DMU’s Careers Team won Employability Team of the Year at the TargetJobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards for helping students reach their ambitions.

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The First University to Achieve a Silver Race Equality Charter Award

Our work to improve equality and diversity, challenge racism and build an anti-racist community earned us the award.

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2nd for Sustainability

DMU was named 2nd in People & Planet’s University League Table for our commitment to environmental sustainability.

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The Best University for LGBTQ+ staff

A staff survey by Stonewall saw us ranked the top university, and 2nd across all employers, for our work to create an inclusive environment where everyone has a voice.

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The Best Autism Support

The National Association of Disability Practitioners Award identified DMU as the best at supporting autistic students.

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25th Best University

Student reviews and independent data from Uni Compare rankings placed us as the 25th best university.

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11th Best for Accommodation

Uni Compare describes our accommodation as A+, rated 11th best by students in its rankings.

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Top 20 for Employability

Students rated us as the 16th best university for employability in the Uni Compare rankings.

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Best for Work Experience

Students rated DMU as the best university in the UK for work experience in both the 2024 and 2025 RateMyPlacement Awards.

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Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

Typical offer

UCAS points:

112

A Level:

BBC

BTEC Extended Diploma:

DMM

Contextual Offer:

DMU operates a generous contextual offer for students from underrepresented backgrounds in Higher Education.

This is a minimum of one to two grade reduction from our typical offer and full details including eligibility criteria can be found at dmu.ac.uk/contextual

T Levels:

Merit

Access to HE:

Pass with 30 Level 3 credits at Merit

International Baccalaureate (IB):

GCSEs:

5 x GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including English and Maths

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Mature students

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

Career

Where we could take you

Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a paid placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. 

This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Our Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

Kickstart Your Career with the DMU Employability Programme

Ready to stand out in policing and criminal justice? The DMU Employability Programme is your exclusive advantage. Build a powerful CV, gain hands-on experience through volunteering and placements, and connect with industry experts. Track your achievements in your personal portfolio and earn a Certificate of Employability Scheme Completion - a mark of career readiness recognised by employers.

Graduate with the skills, confidence, and credentials to launch a successful career in policing, criminal justice, and beyond.

Graduate careers

Policing: students are encouraged to apply to become Special Constables during their study. Past students have successfully gained entry to the local and other forces. This affords students opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills set in a practice-based environment enhancing their experiential learning.

Criminal Investigation: some students have gone on to postgraduate study on the Degree Holder Entry Programme for both the policing and detective pathways (DHEP & CIDHEP). The CIDHEP allows them direct entry as a trainee detective to any police force in England and Wales. The DHEP allows entry as a police constable to any police force in England and Wales that are recruiting onto the programme.

Past Graduates have attained careers in: National Crime Agency, United Nations, Sainsbury’s Intelligence Department, Prison Service, Retail Management, Trading Standards, Independent Office of Police Conduct, Royal Naval Police and Home Office Police Forces.