BA (Hons) Criminal and Corporate Investigation · NorthamptonBachelor's degree · Duration varies
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The University of Northampton · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Criminal and Corporate Investigation Bachelor's degree at Northampton

BA (Hons) Criminal and Corporate Investigation at Northampton. You'll develop professional skills through an independent project, gaining hands-on experience in criminal and corporate investigation techniques alongside rigorous academic study.

BA (Hons)
Award
Years
Part-time
Study mode
95%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

Discover how to carry out investigations in real-world scenarios with our Criminal Investigation degree at the University of Northampton. Apply now From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) Criminal and Corporate Investigation is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.

For Social sciences graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 50% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (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.

9.5
/ 10
1 of 3 official measures
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional95

Limited evidence Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2021-23; 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 7 modules
  • Law and the Criminal Justice SystemCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module provides an insight into the workings of the UK criminal justice. It will benefit students seeking a career within the criminal justice system, enabling them to understand what constitutes a crime, why it is committed, and how the 'criminal' is treated up to, and including the trial/appeal process.

  • Legislation for Policing and InvestigatorsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module examines legislation that impacts on the practices of the police and investigators such as the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. It also looks at the practical application of legislation, such as, the Theft Act 1968, Fraud Act 2006 and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

  • Theoretical Concepts In Crime Scene InvestigationsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module is designed to introduce students to the policing and investigatory responses to critical incidents, major incidents, and other criminal activities. It will provide them with an understanding of the theoretical principles underpinning forensic investigations and evidence recovery.

  • Introduction to Academic Methods and ResearchCompulsory10 credits
    Module details

    This module complies with the National Police Curiculum as set by the College of Policing, in particular the module entitles 'Research Methods & Skills'. It is designed to ensure that students develop the correct skills, attitudes and approaches to learning which will enable success at HE level.

  • Introduction to Evidence and ProcedureCompulsory10 credits
    Module details

    This module introduces students to the rules, legislation, and codes of practice surrounding this subject area. Students will explore the rationale behind rules of evidence within the criminal justice system, providing them with an awareness of the balance that exists between the interests of the state and rights of individuals.

  • Introduction to Investigative InterviewingCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module complies with level 1 of the 'Professionalising the Investigation Process' (PIP), as defined by the College of Policing. Level 1 is the benchmark introductory standard for police officers and investigative professionals; providing a foundation of knowledge, and the relevant skills to competently interview victims, witnesses and suspects

  • Crime and CriminalityCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module complies with the College of Policing's National Police Curriculum, particularly the module Criminology and Crime Prevention. It enables students to consider how crime is constructed, perceived and responded to within contemporary society. Students will explore the inter-relationships between crime, conformity, social problems, and the context in which crime occurs.

Year 2 7 modules
  • Investigation and Investigative Interviewing 2Compulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module complies with the core requirements of P.I.P. level 2 (Professionalizing the Investigation Process) as defined by the College of Policing and Skills for Justice. 'PIP 2' is the benchmark intermediate standard for police officers and investigative professionals. This module further extends the knowledge gained during stage 1.

  • The Management of Major InvestigationsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module is designed to provide students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to conduct investigations in a professional and objective manner. It builds upon the foundation that students have achieved at level 4, introducing them to more strategic considerations such as planning and managing an investigation, dealing with the media, policy logs, management of information/intelligence, and managing expectations. The module has been designed to comply with the requirements o

  • Covert InvestigationsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module will introduce students to the legislation, and codes of practice that surround covert investigations. It examines the intrusive nature of covert investigation, particularly the controversial balance between the interests of the state and the privacy of the individual within the context of the English criminal justice system.

  • Investigating Serious and Organised CrimeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to familiarise students with the nature and impact of criminal behaviour within the fields of drugs, human trafficking, and serious organised crime. Students will explore the subtle interrelationships that link these areas and the subsequent difficulties which arise in terms of their investigation and prosecution.

  • Research Skills for InvestigationCompulsory10 credits
    Module details

    This module will enable students to undertake independent research. They will recognize the purpose and application of different research methodologies. Students will collate, analyze and evaluate a variety of academic and Criminal Justice sources, whilst preparing a literature review and a research proposal on their own chosen topic.

  • Open Source Intelligence for InvestigationsCompulsory10 credits
    Module details

    In this module students experience a growth area of investigation, developing employability skills for private organisations and law enforcement. Aligning with industry and policing investigative requirements, students apply the methods and tools of investigation in authentic contexts reflecting legislative and procedural constraints.

  • Corporate Investigation and CrimeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module explores laws and procedures concerned with corporate crime and wrongdoing. Students examine common crimes that occur in the corporate world and analyse the procedural and legal responses to them.

Year 3 5 modules
  • Advanced Evidence and ProcedureCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module deals with the legal and procedural complexities surrounding the admissability of evidence in the English legal system. Students will undertake a group scenario based exercise requiring them to seize, prepare, and finally present their evidence in the courtroom setting of a mock trial.

  • Employment InvestigationsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Employers who fail to conduct lawful and fair investigations may find themselves facing expensive claims for discrimination or wrongful/unfair dismissal. This module is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of the law relating to individual employment rights and the relevant codes of practice that impact on internal investigations.

  • Miscarriages of JusticeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module is mapped against the College of Policing's 'National Police Curiculum', it looks at the process of 'Investigation' from a different angle, seeking to stimulate debate by challenging investigative practices/procedures by introducing students to controversial issues surrounding their subject area. It examines the impact 'miscarriages of justice' have had upon victims/witnesses/suspects raising questions about the integrity of the criminal justice system itself.

  • CybercrimeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module deals with the legal and procedural complexities surrounding cyber crime. Students explore technology-related offences, cyber security and strategies and digital investigations. The module examines the challenges of transnational cyber crime and the legal context in multiple jurisdictions.

  • Independent StudyCompulsory40 credits
    Module details

    The independent study provides an opportunity for students to study a topic of vocational relevance in greater depth, and to demonstrate their ability to work within specified timescales. They can choose a subject which they have found of interest during the previous two years of study, or which has direct relevance for their current or prospective employer.

Foundation Year 3 modules
  • Professional and Academic Skills for University StudyCompulsory40 credits
  • Applied Learning ProjectCompulsory40 credits
  • Foundations in Law, Criminology and Criminal JusticeCompulsory40 credits

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 focuses on investigation in real-world criminal and corporate settings. You'll typically progress from foundations in sociology and social problems to specialist study in research methods and criminology. Early stages cover the essentials of social research, interviews, surveys and ethical practice, alongside social theory from Marx and Weber to contemporary scholars. As you advance, you'll pursue specialisations such as criminology, social policy, gender and identity, or migration, applying knowledge to practical scenarios. In your final year, you'll undertake specialist options in areas like crime and justice, contemporary debates through research-led seminars, and complete your own investigation or research project. The course emphasises both theoretical understanding and practical skills in inquiry and evidence gathering.

Who it's for

You're suited to this course if you have a keen interest in investigation, evidence-gathering and forensic reasoning. You'll thrive if you're detail-oriented, analytically minded and enjoy solving complex problems. It appeals to those considering careers in law enforcement, fraud investigation, corporate compliance or related fields, as well as anyone seeking to understand investigative processes across criminal and commercial contexts. The part-time structure suits working professionals seeking to develop specialist expertise alongside employment.

University & format

The BA (Hons) Criminal and Corporate Investigation is studied part-time at the Waterside Campus of the University of Northampton, a university founded in 1975. Instruction is in English. The University of Northampton is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and its degrees are nationally recognised. The university received a Silver rating for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is.

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Published entryBBC at A Level or DMM at BTEC/Cambridge typical offer

Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.

2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider

Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates

Open daysOpen Days

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

2026 entryLive availability check

Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.

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.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Northampton's official course page for the current offer.

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.

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 byApply directly to the providerfor this course
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. 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 Apply directly to the provider

    Part-time application dates vary by provider. 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 Northampton 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

Home£9,790 / yr
International£17,000 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at Northampton →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
total borrowing, course length not published

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 Northampton funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

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Still deciding what to study?

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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

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£30,000£23,000 – £33,00015
3 years after£23,500£16,500 – £32,00035
5 years after£24,000£16,500 – £37,00045

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

95%
in work or further study 15 months on
50%
in highly skilled work or study
70%
find their work meaningful
70%
say work fits their future plans
  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
£30,000
£23,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£23,500
£20,400 – £28,800
After 5 years LEO
£24,000
£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.

95 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

70% working10% working and studying15% in further study50% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. 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 £24,000Peer median £29,000Middle 50% £26,500–£33,000
16th percentile

Compared with 751 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
  • Welfare and housing associate professionalsSOC 2020 322 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,937
  • Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
  • Welfare ProfessionalsSOC 2020 246 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £39,047
  • Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
  • Protective service occupationsDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 25; response rate: 70%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

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

Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. 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

95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.5 out of 10: in work or study 95%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

The University of Northampton

All students13,505
International16.4%
Aged 25+34.8%

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 Waterside Campus, University of Northampton

2,220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 679Anti Social Behaviour 509Shoplifting 183Public Order 163Other Theft 143

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

Tuition fees

International tuition is £17,000 / 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 Northampton’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 Northampton and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Set by Northampton. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Social sciences graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 50% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. 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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