Are you contemplating pursuing a career in the fascinating profession of crime, policing, or investigation, or want to develop your skills within your current role? The University of Sunderland has continued to expand its provision to solidify its place among UK universities as a leading centre for this diverse range of subjects. Our offering is a blend of courses, some catering to those entering the world of employment for the first time and some designed for professionals already established within their line of work in crime, policing, or investigation.
The teaching team are a blend of experienced former practitioners who have operated at a national level and academics who have been involved in the development of policing by conducting applied research which impacts on operational activity.
We’ve pulled together a helpful guide below where you can find out more about our crime, policing, and investigation degrees and who they're suitable for.
1. BSc (Hons) Criminology
- Who is the course suitable for? This criminology course is suitable for undergraduate applicants who may not have any prior work experience or do not already hold a degree
- Course mode: You can choose to study full or part-time, or complete an Integrated Foundation Year before your full undergraduate degree
The BSc (Hons) Criminology degree offers a choice of four distinctive pathways. The course has been designed this way to enable students to tailor their degree to suit their passions and future career ambitions – whether you wish to work within the criminal justice system or outside of it. This criminology course is taught by a combination of prior practitioners and academic researchers who use their research to inform curriculum content, ensuring you're undertaking a degree which addresses contemporary challenges for criminal justice specialists.
Developed in consultation with professionals across the criminal justice system, our BSc (Hons) Criminology degree provides unique opportunities to gain work-based experience – including taking part in our Local Appropriate Adult Scheme – and the necessary academic and professional skills to prepare you for employment.
Find out more about BSc (Hons) Criminology.
2. BSc (Hons) Professional Policing
- Who is the course suitable for? This policing course is suitable for undergraduate applicants who may not have any prior work experience or do not already hold a degree
- Course mode: This is a full-time course and you can choose to study on the traditional three-year route, on the two-year accelerated route, or complete an Integrated Foundation Year before your full undergraduate degree (applicable to both of the full-time routes)
If it's your future ambition to pursue a career in the police force, the BSc (Hons) Professional Policing degree could be for you. This policing degree acts as one of the approved entry routes into the profession and is fully accredited by the College of Policing. We were the first university in the country to offer this police course as an accelerated two year-degree, a fast-track route to your career.
One of the unique features of this professional policing degree is that the course is delivered almost exclusively by academics who are former police officers, enabling students to be taught by experts who are knowledgeable in both the theoretical and practical aspects of policing. The course will prepare you with what's required to go on to apply for a police constable position once you graduate.
Find out more about BSc (Hons) Professional Policing.
3. BA (Hons) Applied Investigation
- Who is the course suitable for? This investigation course is suitable for applicants with extensive experience of investigations in a professional capacity
- Course mode: This is a part-time course studied across 18 months
Allowing the build of expertise in investigations through work-based learning, the BA (Hons) Applied Investigation degree is a unique course which enables you to achieve a full degree in just 18 months. Throughout study, you will be coached by tutors with vast experience in the world of police investigations, offering unrivalled academic and practical support.
Developed by senior police officers and members of NPCC, this investigation course is undoubtedly relevant for those in the force, however, its self-study nature and flexibility make it ideal for investigators in all professions looking to upskill or affirm their career with a degree.
Find out more about BA (Hons) Applied Investigation.
"The Programme Leader of the Applied Investigation course was very engaging and credible having come from a policing background himself. I really appreciate the flexibility of the course and the fact that I can fit my studies around my family and work life. I'm currently in the process of going for a promotion at work and having this additional qualification will undoubtedly better my chances in the future. The course has really opened my mind up to a completely different way of thinking."
Maya Alayli-White
BA (Hons) Applied Investigation
4. BSc (Hons) Policing Studies (Top-Up)
- Who is the course suitable for? This policing course is suitable for applicants who are serving or previous police officers with a minimum of two years of service and successful completion of their probationary period. Applicants who hold a HE Diploma/FdA or equivalent in a relevant subject may also be considered.
- Course mode: You can choose to study full or part-time
The BSc (Hons) Policing Studies (Top-Up) course has been developed following feedback from regional police forces and local Further Education colleges and will appeal to both in-service and retired police professionals, as well as HND students wishing to graduate with a policing degree.
This policing degree is taught by academics with decades of experience in policing and the flexible curriculum will allow students to gain a qualification in just 12 months of full-time study, or 24 months part-time. Examining some of the critical issues facing contemporary policing today, you’ll learn from a teaching team with direct links to policing practice and receive mentoring to help you make a positive impact on your chosen career.
Find out more about BSc (Hons) Policing Studies (Top-Up).
5. MSc Leadership in Criminal Justice and Policing
- Who is the course suitable for? This criminal justice and policing course is suitable for postgraduate applicants who hold at least a Second Class Honours degree (usually a 2:1 or above) or equivalent. This can be from a range of subjects including social sciences, psychology, business, law, education, humanities, health, arts, technology, and the sciences.
- Course mode: You can choose to study full or part-time
The most recent addition to our provision of courses, the unique MSc Leadership in Criminal Justice and Policing degree focuses on leadership within the police and other criminal justice organisations. Graduates will typically use this course as a stepping stone to a higher level of professional employment and its flexibility will suit the needs of learners who are already active practitioners.
Moving away from a ‘one size fits all’ model of leadership, students are encouraged to execute an in-depth examination of their own approaches to management and are supported to critically analyse specific challenges of leading within these settings. The degree also offers students the chance to study some of the most topical criminological issues in the modern day and the academic team are all actively engaged in research in criminology, criminal justice, or leadership.
Find out more about MSc Leadership in Criminal Justice and Policing.
6. MA Investigative Management
- Who is the course suitable for? This investigation course is suitable for postgraduate applicants who hold the BA (Hons) Applied Investigation degree, senior investigative professionals with experience of leading and managing investigations, or professional graduates with at least five years’ experience in investigation
- Course mode: This is a part-time course studied across two years
The MA Investigative Management degree has been developed in consultation with senior police representatives and addresses current sector needs within policing. This investigation course also has a substantive professional experience component and is deliberately designed to be flexible to suit differing work schedules.
Students who complete this master's degree in investigation will enhance their leadership and management skills in the context of investigative policing and will be qualified for more senior positions. With a clear emphasis on combining theory and practice, you'll obtain a more thorough knowledge of investigative management in the context of real-world experience and professional practice.
Find out more about MA Investigative Management.
If you’re interested in applying for one of our crime, policing, or investigation courses, you can do so via the individual course pages.
Published: 14 July 2022