BA Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies
About this course
BA (Hons) in Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies, a criminal investigation and policing studies degree focusing on operational practices, legislation, and investigative management. Core topics include Research Methods, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course includes a compulsory 10,000-word dissertation in the final year. The first year covers core foundations through Research and Study Skills, Legislation and Policy, The Profession of Policing and Investigation, and Problem-based Policing. The second year advances into specialized topics with Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing 1, Investigative Management and Leadership 1, Research and Ethics, and Researching Justice Journeys, alongside a choice of elective options. The third year concludes with the Dissertation, Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing 2, Investigative Management and Leadership 2, and Multi-Agency Working: International Perspectives.
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 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): 26 GCSEs: 5 x GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including English and Maths If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall is essential.
What students say
Based on about 22 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 72%
- Learning opportunities: 73%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 70%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 125 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 78%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 4%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Welfare Professionals: 48%
- Administrative occupations: 8%
- Protective service occupations: 6%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 78%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 77%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 555 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 52%
- West Midlands: 12%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 14%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Research and Study Skills
- Legislation and Policy
- The Profession of Policing and Investigation
- Problem-based Policing
- Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing 1
- Investigative Management and Leadership 1
- Research and Ethics
- Researching Justice Journeys
- Choice of elective
- Dissertation
- Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing 2
- Investigative Management and Leadership 2
- Multi-Agency Working: International Perspectives
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies at De Montfort University earn?
The median salary is £35,000 after 15 months, £22,500 after 3 years, £27,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £34,500. The £27,500 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Social policy.
What do graduates of BA Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies at De Montfort University do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies at De Montfort University?
72% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies at De Montfort University?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 96 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies at De Montfort University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.