BA (Hons) Policing and Investigations · LJMUBachelor's degree · 3 years
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Liverpool John Moores University · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Policing and Investigations Bachelor's degree at Liverpool John Moores University

BA (Hons) Policing and Investigations at LJMU. The university, founded in 1823, is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and this course sits within the Sociology & Social Sciences field.

BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
84%
continuation

About this course

BA (Hons) Policing and Investigations is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at LJMU, based in City Centre Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Sociology graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £25,000. (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.

8.6
/ 10
2 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent88

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
Excellent84

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 84% (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 6 modules
  • Exploring Policing and Investigation Studies - Skills for SuccessCore20 credits
    Module details

    This module aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge needed to enable them to demonstrate a structured approach to studying, writing essays and referencing content, whilst situating their learning within the context of the court system of England and Wales.

  • Introduction to Policing and InvestigationCore20 credits
    Module details

    This module aims to help students understand key theories and concepts relevant to policing and the wider criminal justice system by examining the chronological development of policing and other institutions within the system, landmark events and their inter-relationship and relevance.

  • Practice, Procedure and the Criminal Law 1Core20 credits
    Module details

    This module aims to introduce students to the role, responsibilities and powers of the police in differing societal and operational environments. The module provides students with a critical introduction to the foundations of criminal law and the criminal justice system. Students will identify the key ingredients of a criminal offence, the varying liability of third parties, and common defences prescribed by criminal law, highlighting the importance of police integrity and the role played by pol

  • Technology and Policing and InvestigationCore20 credits
    Module details

    This module will introduce students to the legal, professional and ethical issues relating to the use of a broad range of technologies in the policing and law enforcement context. Students will explore the issues around social media and its use in the personal and professional context and the criminal use of technologies and the challenges this presents.

  • Introduction to Criminology for PolicingCore20 credits
    Module details

    This module will introduce students to a core of key concepts to encourage them to reflect upon the contribution of criminological theory and to understand contemporary crime issues and policing responses to them.

  • Professional Standards, Governance and AccountabilityCore20 credits
    Module details

    This module will help students understand the meaning of ethics and their relevance in policing. Students will consider both the theory and application of ethics, and what is meant by professional standards and how they apply to police officers and the police service.

Year 2 8 modules
  • Policing CommunitiesCore20 credits
    Module details

    This module aims to develop students' understanding of the concept of equality and diversity. It provides students with an opportunity to critically explore factors which have come to inform policing environments and practices, and to reflexively acknowledge how personal behaviours can support the promotion of the principles of equality and diversity within the workplace and the wider community.

  • Practice, Procedure and the Criminal Law 2Core20 credits
    Module details

    The module aims to introduce learners to aspects of the criminal law and police powers. At the end of the module, learners will be able to identify and critically appraise the extent of these laws and powers, alongside exploring relevant legislation, policy and practice guidance.

  • Conducting InvestigationsCore20 credits
    Module details

    The module aims to develop learners' understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters for the investigation of criminal offences and provides the opportunity for learners to demonstrate and explain investigative procedures through the use of case studies and crime scene practicals. It will also provide an opportunity to critically explore the range of regulatory processes and professional values which inform practice, theories of team work, communication, issue

  • Careers and EmployabilityCore20 credits
    Module details

    This module will allow students to explore key employability skills they possess and which need to be exemplified within and translated into effective job applications and develop a compelling personal employability profile which demonstrates the value of skills and experience to the employer. This module incorporates Work-Based Learning (WBL) in the sense that students have 'hands-on' experience working on CVs and 'real-world' applications.

  • Policy, Practice and the Evidence BaseCore20 credits
    Module details

    This module will develop students' understanding of the literature relevant to the concept of evidence based practice as it relates to Policing. Students will also explore the epistemological, methodological and ethical underpinnings of studies.

  • Psychology of InvestigationCore20 credits
    Module details

    This module aims to help students demonstrate understanding and critically analyse how the discipline and evidence-base of Psychology can be applied to investigations.

  • Study Year Abroad - Policing StudiesOptional120 credits
    Module details

    The aim is to provide learners with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the learner's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the University Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be u

  • Study Semester Abroad - Policing StudiesOptional60 credits
    Module details

    The aim is to provide students with a semester of study at an approved overseas partner that will replace one semester of their LJMU programme at level 5. This is a semester of full-time study at an approved higher education institution which will replace one semester of level 5 study at LJMU. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be an appropriate substitute for the modules being replaced. Assuming successful completion of this semester, mark-bearing credit will be award

Year 3 7 modules
  • Research ProjectCore40 credits
    Module details

    The module aims to enable students to develop a detailed knowledge of their identified field and through this knowledge develop a critical understanding of relevant policy and procedural guidance as it is applied in practice.

  • Approaches to protecting vulnerable people and the management of offendersCore20 credits
    Module details

    The module aims to develop students' understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters of multi-agency working arrangements across the sector. There will be an opportunity for students to work across disciplinary boundaries and gain experience through work related learning using 'real life' case studies.

  • Applying Forensics to InvestigationsCore20 credits
    Module details

    This module aims to help students consider and apply how forensic science and analysis can support them when conducting an investigation, to include basic forensic concepts; recognition and recovery of evidence; crime scene integrity; the interplay between various components of the investigative process with forensics; and cold case analysis.

  • Comparative Studies in PolicingOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to conduct a focused piece of independent work in an international context on an area related to the Policing programme, and to encourage students to monitor and reflect critically on their own learning.

  • Terrorism and Counter TerrorismOptional20 credits
    Module details

    Students will examine the key concepts in relation to terrorism and explore a number of key issues including definitions of terrorism, ideologies, typology, group structures, tactics, methods of operation, target selection, state response, use of technologies, funding and media impact. Students will also explore the concept of, and delivery of, counter terrorism initiatives with a focus on the measures being adopted within the United Kingdom, drawing on comparative counter-terrorism strategies f

  • Investigating Serious and Complex CasesOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The module aims to develop students' understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters for the investigation of criminal offences. Students will be provided with the opportunity to demonstrate and explain investigative procedures through the use of case studies and crime scene practicals.

  • Application of Intelligence to PolicingOptional20 credits
    Module details

    This programme will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the role, uses and application of intelligence within contemporary policing and partner agencies. Students will also develop an understanding of how intelligence can be ethically collected, collated, evaluated, managed and analysed. This will also include the impact of the National Intelligence Model within policing and the wider criminal justice arena.

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 degree centres on policing and investigations through a social sciences lens, examining crime, justice and social policy in their wider context. You'll usually begin with core sociology foundations, exploring class, gender, race and social order, alongside an introduction to social problems and policy responses to harm. Year 1 also covers social research methods, including interviews, surveys and research ethics. In Year 2, you'll move to social theory and advance your research skills through quantitative and qualitative analysis, whilst exploring applied streams such as criminology, social policy and research methods. By Year 3, you'll typically specialise further through options including criminology, gender and identity, migration, and social work routes, whilst undertaking research-led seminars on contemporary questions and completing your own empirical or theoretical research project.

Who it's for

This course suits those interested in understanding policing systems, investigative practice, and the social dimensions of law enforcement. Most accepted students entered with A-levels or equivalent qualifications; typical entrants held a UCAS tariff of 96–111 points. You'll need to study in English and commit to full-time attendance over three years.

University & format

Liverpool John Moores University is a public university founded in 1823, located on its City Centre Campus. The BA (Hons) Policing and Investigations is a 3-year full-time degree taught in English. It is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; your degree is nationally recognised. The university holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
87%
Learning opportunities
85%
Assessment and feedback
84%
Academic Support
93%
Organisation and management
90%
Learning resources
92%
Student voice
82%

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
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Open daysOpen days

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent95% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 96 - 111 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 LJMU'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

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent95%
No / unknown prior qualifications5%

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.

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

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

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 gradesBCCA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeL232quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code L232). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write 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.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results 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 LJMU 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
Internationalset by the university

Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.

Check fees at LJMU →

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

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All LJMU funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.

We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.

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Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

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

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£25,000£22,500 – £29,0006195
3 years after£21,500£18,500 – £25,500395
5 years after£26,000£22,000 – £30,500405

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 6,195. Cohort 2021-22.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

84%
continue past their first year
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sociology & social sciences · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Sociology & Social Sciences nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£25,000
£23,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£21,500
£20,400 – £28,800
After 5 years LEO
£26,000
£24,650 – £34,800
national 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.

84 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: 6,195. 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 £26,000Peer median £29,000Middle 50% £26,500–£33,000
22nd 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 Outcomes
55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
89%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How 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.

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.

Live 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 £25,000. 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 8.6 out of 10: NSS 87.6% · continued 84%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Liverpool John Moores University

All students25,650
International8.3%
Aged 25+23.8%

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 City Centre Campus

5,301 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 1579Drugs 980Shoplifting 562Anti Social Behaviour 514Public Order 476

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 LJMU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is set per course by LJMU; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. 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 LJMU’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 LJMU and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 96 - 111 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by LJMU. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Sociology graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £25,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
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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