BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Studies
University of Portsmouth
Key Information
Campus location
Southsea, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students/EU residents | £16,200/year: international students
Scholarships
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Introduction
If you want to help solve crimes, it pays to understand criminality from many different angles. This course gives you much broader skills, knowledge and experience than a more traditional ‘forensic science’ degree. Using facilities shared with a real police force, this degree is always relevant, innovative and up-to-date.
From crime scene to evidence lab to courtroom, you’ll find out how forensic investigation fits into the history, policy and practice of the criminal justice system. And you’ll study the causes of crime, learning what really makes a criminal.
Course highlights
- Develop specialist skills in the latest forensic facilities, including simulated crime scenes, and labs with fingerprinting, DNA analysis and forensic imaging kit
- Explore new experimental techniques, including the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality, inspired by innovative VR research at the University of Portsmouth
- Learn from criminology, probation and policing experts who are actively involved in the industry, and who shape its future with ground-breaking research in areas like forensic interview techniques and wildlife crime
- Benefit from our strong partnerships and links with the criminal justice and forensic investigation industry – previous field trips have included visits to a police fingerprinting bureau and a military CSI training HQ
- Hear from guest speakers such as fire investigators, crime scene managers, pathologists, specialist police officers, firearm officers and forensic archaeologists
- Tailor your degree from a wide range of modules, including crime and mental health, hate crime, dangerous offenders and public protection
- Gain pre-entry qualifications for careers in the police or probation service, and develop skills in problem-solving and analysis that all kinds of employers value
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Modules
Year 1
Core modules
- Crime Scene and Forensic Investigation – 20 credits
- Criminal Justice – 20 credits
- Essential Skills for Criminologists – 40 credits
- Psychology for Criminologists – 20 credits
- Understanding Criminology – 20 credits
There are no optional modules this year.
Year 2
Core modules
- Forensic Evidence Analysis – 20 credits
- Forensic Evidence Interpretation – 20 credits
- Questioning Criminology – 20 credits
- Researching Criminology – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Community Justice – 20 credits
- Crimes of the Powerful – 20 credits
- Cultural Criminology – 20 credits
- Engaged Citizenship In Humanities And Social Sciences – 20 credits
- Firearms Investigation – 20 credits
- Forensic Developmental Psychology – 20 credits
- Forensic Linguistics - 20 credits
- Gang Crime – 20 credits
- Global Environmental Justice – 20 credits
- Global, State and Corporate Security – 20 credits
- Hate Crime – 20 credits
- Introduction to Teaching – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language (IWLP) – 20 credits
- Penology and Prison – 20 credits
- Policing and Society – 20 credits
- Principles of Economic Crime Investigation – 20 credits
- Professional Experience - L5 - 20 Credits
- Psychology and Security – 20 credits
- Study Abroad Programme – 60 credits
- Underworlds: Crime, Deviance and Punishment in Britain, 1500–1900 – 20 credits
- Victims of Crime: Key Players in Criminal Justice – 20 credits
- Wildlife Crime: Threats and Response – 20 credits
- Youth Crime, Youth Justice – 20 credits
Optional sandwich year
Optional modules
- Work Placement Year – 120 credits
Year 3
Core modules
- Dissertation/Major Project – 40 credits
- Management of Criminal Investigations – 20 credits
- The Future of Forensic Investigations – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Black Criminology, Race and the Criminal Justice System – 20 credits
- Contemporary Terrorism and the Global Response – 20 credits
- Crime and New Technologies Theory and Practice – 20 credits
- Dangerous Offenders and Public Protection – 20 credits
- Economic Crime and Fraud Examination – 20 credits
- Forensic Psychology and Mental Health – 20 credits
- Forensic Psychology: Investigation – 20 credits
- Forensic Taphonomy – 20 credits
- Gender and Crime – 20 credits
- Green Crime and Environmental Justice – 20 credits
- Information Security Management – 20 credits
- Intelligence Analysis – 20 credits
- Introduction to Teaching – 20 credits
- Management of Criminal Investigations – 20 credits
- Miscarriages of Justice – 20 credits
- Money Laundering and Compliance – 20 credits
- Policing: Communities, Intelligence and Information – 20 credits
- Policing: Law, Policy and Practice – 20 credits
- Political Extremism – 20 credits
- Professional Development: Recruiters and Candidates – 20 credits
- Professional Experience L6 – 20 credits
- Social Policy, Justice and Crime (L6) – 20 credits
- State Crime – 20 credits
- The Future of Forensic Investigations – 20 credits
- Treatment and Rehabilitation of Offenders – 20 credits
- True Crime - the Making of a Genre – 20 credits
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry, and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Placement year (optional)
After your second year of study, you can choose to do a paid work placement year. This lets you put your new skills to work while developing valuable links with employers in the crime and forensic investigation field.
It’s fantastic for your CV and will really help you stand out when applying for jobs after graduation.
We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. With mentoring and support throughout your placement, you’ll have our support to get the most from the experience.
Previous placement destinations have included:
- Hampshire Constabulary
- Hampshire Fire and Rescue
- University of Portsmouth Forensic Technician Team
You can also spend this year studying overseas at one of our partner universities in Europe, South Asia or North America.
Career Opportunities
Because this course blends criminology and forensic studies, you’ll graduate with a particularly broad range of careers open to you. Your lecturers can help you identify the options that excite you most, so you can choose to study modules that fit your ambitions.
You’ll be especially well-prepared for the wide variety of criminal justice careers where forensic awareness plays a key role – from a forensic practitioner in the police, probation or prison services through to rewarding areas of expertise like community safety, crime prevention and criminological research. More broadly, the impressive problem-solving skills you develop could prove valuable in all kinds of careers.
What jobs can you do with a criminology and forensic studies degree?
Our graduates have gone on to roles including:
- crime scene investigator
- investigative data analyst
- police officer
- intelligence researcher
- probation officer
- youth offending support officer
- emergency planning officer
- prison officer
- forensic laboratories
You could also do postgraduate study in areas such as forensic science.
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
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Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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