BA Policing and Investigations
About this course
BA (Hons) in Policing and Investigations is an undergraduate degree focused on the criminal justice system, investigative methods, and the legal frameworks governing police practice. Core topics include Research Methods and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students have the option to undertake a professional placement year between the second and final stages of the programme. The first year covers foundational subjects through compulsory modules such as The Criminal Justice System, Introduction to Policing and Investigations, Criminology and Crime Prevention, and Research Methods and Academic Skills for Policing. The second year progresses to specific investigative techniques and psychological perspectives via Investigation and Loss Prevention, Introduction to Investigative Interviewing, Themes in Forensic Psychology, and Victimology. The final year examines advanced practice through compulsory modules including Investigating Crime and Advanced Investigative Interviewing. Students can tailor their studies by choosing from optional modules covering topics such as Cybercrime, Substance Misuse, Murder: Dynamics, Pathologies and Investigation, Crime Scene Investigation for Policing, Domestic Abuse, and Serious and Organised Crime.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 112 A level: BBC T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
What students say
Based on about 39 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 89%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 35 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 59%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Unemployed: 13%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Protective service occupations: 15%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Legal professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 120 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 43%
- West Midlands: 20%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 11%
- South East: 7%
- Wales: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- The Criminal Justice System
- Introduction to Policing and Investigations
- Contemporary Issues in Policing and Investigations
- Criminology and Crime Prevention
- Introduction to Policing
- Research Methods and Academic Skills for Policing
- Investigation and Loss Prevention
- Introduction to Investigative Interviewing
- Themes in Forensic Psychology
- Victimology
- Criminal Investigation
- Effecting Change
- Investigating Crime
- Advanced Investigative Interviewing
- Cybercrime
- Sexual Violence, Exploitation and Abuse
- Substance Misuse
- Murder: Dynamics, Pathologies and Investigation
- Crime Scene Investigation for Policing
- Forensic Perspectives
- Psychopathy
- Offenders with Mental and Intellectual Disabilities
- Domestic Abuse
- Policing Mental Health, Vulnerability and Risk
- Serious and Organised Crime
- Policing Abuse and Public Protection
- Reflective Work Experience
- Youth Justice
- Working with Young Offenders
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Policing and Investigations at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £26,500 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £32,500. The £25,000 median after five years is £6,500 less than the UK median for Law.
What do graduates of BA Policing and Investigations at University of Derby do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Policing and Investigations at University of Derby?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Policing and Investigations at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 117 UCAS points.
Does BA Policing and Investigations at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Policing and Investigations at University of Derby?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.