Criminology & Forensic Investigation BSc (Hons)

Overview

Course code: LF64

This programme, which is aimed at those looking to progress to a career in criminology, forensic investigation or investigative policing, will enable you to understand the core causes of criminal behaviour and the principles of crime scene investigation.

Why study this degree at University Centre South Essex?

You will be taught by tutors with industry experience

You will receive industry-related work experience

The course allows you to pursue a number of career and further education paths

This course is underpinned by the four key distinct disciplinary strands of Forensic Investigation, Criminology, Criminal Justice and Work Related Skills/Experience. These four strands enable you to analyse contemporary issues from a range of multidisciplinary perspectives, providing essential transferable skills for employment. In addition, the course provides you with a well-rounded knowledge base, application and experience of work-related skills for progression onto higher level educational courses or to relevant industry employment.

The course operates on a modular basis, all of which are compulsory. You will take 120 credits each year. In Year one you will take three modules weighted at 20 credits and two modules weighted at 30 credits. In Year two, you will take six modules weighted at 20 credits each. In Year three, the Dissertation is weighted at 40 credits, and you will take two modules at 30 credits and one at 20 credits.

Entry Requirements

64 UCAS Tariff Points or above

At least two A levels

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma/Subsidiary Diploma/Certificate

BTEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma

International Baccalaureate

Access to Higher Education Diploma (minimum 30 credits at Merit or above)

For any qualification not identified above the HE Admission Team will determine equivalences through UKNARIC.

GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C (old specification) or Grade 4 (new specification) or above OR a Level 2 equivalent such as Functional Skills.

Applicants wishing to be considered for entry to the second or third year of study, or wishing to import credits or evidence of prior learning into the course for which they are applying, will be considered in accordance with the awarding bodies policy on Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning.

Course Structure

Year one units

Introduction to Criminology

Introduction to Policing

Introduction to Forensic Science

Academic Skills and Applied Practice

Crime Scene Investigation

Year two units

Criminological Research Methods

Criminal Investigation and the Justice System

Cybercrime and Society

Role of an Expert Witness

Serious Offenders and Imprisonment

Forensic Taphonomy and Entomology

Year three units

Dissertation

Professional Development

Terrorism, Security and Political Violence

Mass Disaster Studies

Work placements

40 hours at Level 6 of formally agreed workplace learning within a relevant criminological or forensic investigation field.

Timetables

Timetables are normally available a month before registration. Please note that although we endeavour to make timetables as student-friendly as possible, teaching can be scheduled on any day of the week. However, Fridays are usually non-contact days.

Guest speakers

There are several guest speakers during the programme, for example:

A crime scene Investigator from Essex Police

A forensic psychologist

A Detective Chief Inspector

Visits

There are a number of visits as part of the programme, these are optional and not included in the cost of the progamme, they include:

A visit to the Central Criminal Court

A visit to the British Library

Contact hours

13 hours per week in years 1 and 2

10 hours per week in year 3

Contact hours include two hour lectures, one hour seminars and one hour tutorials.

Teaching & Learning

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures. In addition, you will have timetabled tutorials.

Independent learning

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, undertaking research, preparing presentations and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning is supported by excellent library facilities.

Assessment & Feedback

There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. Assessment methods include:

Written examinations

Essays

Reports

Portfolios

Presentations

Final year dissertation

The grades from formal assessments count towards your final module mark.

Feedback

You will receive feedback on all formal assessments undertaken by coursework and practical activities. Feedback on examination performance is available on request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module leader. We aim to provide feedback within 20 working days for formal assessments (coursework and practical activities).

Course Cost

Adult, full_time: £8000

Fees are per academic year for Home/UK students.

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

Loan of Personal Protective Equipment required for practical sessions

Compulsory visits to museums and other institutions in the UK

An allowance of printing credit

What Next...

Potential career routes include working in main stream policing (possibly as an officer or crime scene technician), the criminal justice and prisons system, or in businesses that may be at risk from financial fraud or cyber-crime. Graduates from this degree programme may also seek employment in related areas such as teaching or probation after a period of further study.

Further study options include:

MSc Crime and Forensic Science

MSc Forensic Analysis

MSc Anatomy

MSc Forensic Psychology

MA Social Work

You could also train to teach the subject by studying the PGCE, available at University Centre Southend.

Graduate destinations

Employment from previous graduating cohorts have included roles within Essex and Metropolitan Police, disaster victim identification, counter terrorism within financing, teaching, domestic abuse co-ordinators, laboratory testing, prison workers, crime scene investigators and within human rights groups such as Amicus. Students have also progressed on to higher level training and have entered Masters Qualifications in Criminology, Terrorism Studies, Digital Forensics, Anthropology and Research. In addition, graduates of the programme have also undertaken teacher training and have achieved either QTS or QTLS, enabling them to take up roles in mainstream schools across the primary, secondary and further education sectors.