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De Montfort University · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies Bachelor's degree at De Montfort University
BA (Hons) Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies at De Montfort University. You'll study core theory and research methods alongside applied practice, specialist options tailored to your interests, and an independent project that lets you explore a topic in depth.
BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
85%
continuation
About this course
Study DMU's Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies BA (Hons) degree. Learn criminal justice and investigation skills for careers in public or private policing. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Criminal Investigation and Policing Studies is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at De Montfort University. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Social policy graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £26,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sociology & Social Sciences, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
7.7
/ 10
2 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Strong68
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent85
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Research and Study Skills
Module details
Through this module you will develop an understanding of the core concepts of how we understand the world around us, and the role of research in criminal justice practices.
- Legislation and Policy
Module details
This module will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the legislation, policy, practice and concepts required to allow accountable, effective, ethical and professional decision-making and actions in the operational policing environments
- The Profession of Policing and Investigation
Module details
You will study a critical understanding of the investigative process and management of investigations within the operational policing field.
- Problem-based Policing
Module details
In this module, you will develop an understanding of evidence-based policing, including the skills and knowledge needed to assess its influence on problem-solving, decision-making, and community engagement.
Year 2 9 modules
- Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing 1
Module details
These linked modules develop throughout the final two years and examine concepts, debates, and decision-making around topical areas within four themes: policing 21st-century UK, policing vulnerable groups, doing policing, and microscope on policing.
- Investigative Management and Leadership 1
Module details
This module develops throughout the final two years and examines concepts, debates, and decision-making around topical areas within four themes: theory and context, volume crime, forensic science, and major enquiries. Decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills will be explored and developed throughout this module to provide you with an effective and efficient investigative mindset.
- Research and Ethics
Module details
The focus of the module is the development of learning towards the effective identification of areas for research within the criminal justice system, the construction of appropriate research questions, methodologies to address such question and the associated ethical considerations and actions.
- Research and Effective Practice
Module details
This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to focus on specific areas of interest and examine appropriate methods of exploring those areas through ethical research.
- Domestic Violence and AbuseOptional
Module details
This module considers the changing social, political, and legal recognition of domestic violence and abuse and its impact. You will be encouraged to examine the varying contexts, nature, signs, triggers, and impact of domestic violence and abuse. The module highlights social and healthcare responsibilities as well as developments within the criminal justice sector and legal and civil proceedings frameworks. You will compare and contrast various responses to domestic violence and abuse that have
- Animals and CriminologyOptional
Module details
This module covers the different ways in which animals are the topic of criminological examination. You will be introduced to a broad range of topics such as animal abuse, wildlife trafficking, conservation, and animal advocacy, and will critically explore harm to animals, drawing from criminology, sociology, law, and philosophy.
- Children and the Criminal Justice SystemOptional
Module details
This module presents academic research, knowledge, and understanding in an accessible way to better equip you to explore and discuss contemporary issues for children and the criminal justice system across community and custody contexts.
- Genocides, Mass Atrocities, and Hate CrimeOptional
Module details
This module explores a range of genocides and mass atrocities (where genocidal-type actions have taken place but have not been legally defined as genocide, or where killings have occurred along identity-based divisions). You will examine the issues around defining genocide and what this means in terms of prevention, intervention, and justice. Theoretical frameworks underpinning genocides, mass atrocities, and hate crime will be explored, helping you develop the skills to explain complex events a
- Drugs, Crime, and SocietyOptional
Module details
This module explores the relationship between alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and crime. The aim is to provide an understanding of how UK and international drug policies, localised drug usage, and the international trade in both legal and illegal drugs are connected.
Year 3 4 modules
- Dissertation
Module details
A 10,000-word structured piece of academic writing at Level 6, based on a research study of your choice. Your dissertation should contribute to evidence-based policing and the investigation of crime.
- Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing 2
Module details
This is the second part of the linked module that examines concepts, debates, and decision-making around key issues within four themes: policing 21st-century UK, policing vulnerable groups, doing policing, and microscope on policing.
- Investigative Management and Leadership 2
Module details
Building on the second-year module, this course significantly expands your ability to make management-level decisions, apply critical thinking, and develop problem-solving skills within an investigative mindset. You will engage in the investigation and management of major crime, applying the skills and knowledge acquired in the second year.
- Multi-Agency Working: International Perspectives
Module details
This module considers the development and theoretical context of multi-agency working and its implications for local community initiatives, public protection, and wider partnership collaboration. It also explores local, national, and international investigative mechanisms, highlighting the challenges associated with a multi-agency approach. You will examine organisational and political cultures and the differences in criminal justice systems and processes at an international level.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course combines criminal justice and investigation skills with core sociology and social science foundations. You'll usually begin with introductions to sociology, social problems and policy, and research methods, learning how societies define harm and how to investigate social questions through interviews and surveys. In Year 2, you'll deepen your theoretical knowledge and develop quantitative and qualitative research skills, whilst exploring applied criminology streams. Year 3 moves to specialist options such as criminology, social policy, gender and identity, migration, and research methods, alongside contemporary research-led seminars and a final dissertation of your own design. Throughout, you'll develop practical investigation and policing knowledge alongside critical understanding of criminal justice systems.
Who it's for
You'll thrive on this course if you're curious about how criminal justice systems work and want hands-on experience in investigation and policing. You should be comfortable with both analytical thinking, understanding legislation and criminological theory, and practical fieldwork. If you enjoy problem-solving, interviewing skills, and evidence analysis, and you're motivated by the idea of contributing to public safety or security roles, this degree will stretch you intellectually whilst building skills employers in law enforcement and security value. Expect a blend of classroom learning, case studies, and real-world scenarios.
Careers & job market
Across Sociology and Social Sciences nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of leaving university, and 55% of those working are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further qualifications. Starting salaries for graduates in this field typically range from £23,000 to £30,000, rising to £24,650–£34,800 within five years. Career pathways include policing, investigations, security services, probation, and criminal justice policy roles. Your degree is nationally recognised, giving you recognised credentials in a regulated sector.
University & format
De Montfort University is a public university located in Leicester. This is a full-time BA (Hons) degree lasting 3 years, taught in English. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, meaning your degree is nationally recognised. De Montfort awarded a Bronze for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. Most entrants hold A-levels or equivalent, with a typical UCAS tariff of 80–95 points among accepted students.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Published entryBBC typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Contextual offersPublished by this provider
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
PlacementPublished placement option
Paid placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysOpen Days - Book your place
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent90% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 80 - 95 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check De Montfort University's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accessible entry
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesBBBA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS code5LN3quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code 5LN3). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask De Montfort University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£16,800 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at De Montfort University →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All De Montfort University funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
undergraduate students with household income £50,000 or less
Check eligibility →students with household income £50,000 or less
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Sociology & Social Sciences graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £26,000 | £23,000 – £31,000 | 695 |
| 3 years after | £23,500 | £20,000 – £26,500 | 30 |
| 5 years after | £30,500 | £25,000 – £34,500 | 35 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 695. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
85%
continue past their first year
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sociology & social sciences · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Sociology & Social Sciences nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£26,000
£23,000 – £30,000After 3 years LEO
£23,500
£20,400 – £28,800After 5 years LEO
£30,500
£24,650 – £34,800national rangethis course’s medianaxis £19,000 – £36,000
National figures for Sociology & Social Sciences graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
85 of 100
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 695. Cohort 2021-22. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Sociology & Social Sciences courses at the same study level.
This course £30,500Peer median £29,000Middle 50% £26,500–£33,000
60th percentile
Compared with 751 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Job market & outlook
How Sociology & Social Sciences graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Sociology & Social Sciences courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled89%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Sociology & Social Sciences graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Local authorities
- Charities & NGOs
- Research organisations
- Government & universities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Sociology & Social Sciences graduates.
Sociology AdjunctCommonwealth Of VirginiaSociology ECT - High-Achieving Secondary School in BrightonMarchant RecruitmentHead of Psychology and SociologyTeacherActiveLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £26,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 7.7 out of 10: NSS 68.4% · continued 85%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
De Montfort University
All students23,155
International31.8%
Aged 25+27.3%
Social sciences across the UK
Students275,900
Aged 25+37%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around De Montfort University
4,747 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 1557Public Order 619Anti Social Behaviour 570Shoplifting 499Criminal Damage Arson 362
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Sociology & Social Sciences right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to De Montfort University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £16,800 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check De Montfort University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with De Montfort University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at De Montfort University
Sociology & Social Sciences at other universities
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 112 - 127 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by De Montfort University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Social policy graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £26,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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