Criminology, Policing and Investigation - BA (Hons)

Birmingham City University

Overview

Want to start a career in criminal investigation? Our Criminology, Policing and Investigation University course has close ties to the West Midlands Police Force.

Make sense of contemporary issues in policing by getting the big picture perspective on crime, victimisation, and various responses to crime and deviance.

Our course covers a range of topics, from the ethics of investigation to crime scene management, as well as practical criminal justice interviewing techniques.

What's covered in this course?

Our curriculum offers you a variety of subjects through which you will be able to develop your interests before focusing on specialised fields, such as homicide, terrorism, and cybercrime. This is an exciting and dynamic course that explores real-world problems, focusing on cutting edge and topical issues relating to crime and policing.

The course uses research-informed teaching and learning to develop a range of transferable academic and practical skills which will be attractive to employers. The course also uses external visits, as well as unique assessments to enhance your understanding of the discipline.

The course's real-world applications are supported by its close links with local and national agencies, including West Midlands Police and other various criminal justice agencies. You will have opportunities to gain work experience with relevant organisations, and there is an option for you to undertake international study.

You will be taught by expert staff in the fields of criminology and policing, and you will also enjoy regular guest lectures from highly influential voices in the discipline.

Employability

This course is suitable if you wish to embark on a criminal justice-related career, including jobs in the police, revenue and customs, probation, youth justice, community safety and the prison service, as well as the voluntary sector. It’s also suitable for serving police officers and civilian support staff, customs officers, prison officers and those working in the Immigration and Naturalisation Service.

Part-time study in Criminology is often followed by people who are already employed within the criminal justice system and who are intending to improve their career prospects.

You’ll also develop transferable skills such as analysis and decision making, commercial awareness, accessing information, problem solving, and cultural and political awareness.

These skills are appropriate to a range of careers from teaching to retail management.

We have partnered with the national charity New Bridge to offer undergraduate students the unique opportunity to gain experience in a variety of voluntary roles. You’ll be given an insight into prison systems and the realities of life in prison, while at the same time enhancing your skills and experience ready for future employment.

You’ll also gain valuable experience through our Employability Challenge Weeks, as well as our Leadership Challenge programme. Both give you the chance to apply your skills to innovative and exciting projects, industry talks and workshops. You’ll also receive guidance on how to complete application forms and how to write effective CVs.