Policing and Investigations

BA (Hons) Policing and Investigations

Combining expertise in investigations with rigorous academic knowledge, this distinctive degree opens the way to challenging careers within the criminal justice system. It gives you a thorough grasp of how policing and investigations work.

Why choose this course?

Drawing on criminology, forensics and sociology, you’ll gain advanced understanding of the investigation process. This includes skills in evidence gathering and investigative interviewing.

Volunteering

We fully support you to apply and become a Police Support Volunteer alongside your studies. This gives you the chance to develop your professional practice and the experience is invaluable if you would like to pursue a career in policing when you graduate.

How you will learn

We offer a stimulating mix of lectures, tutorials and role play, using our replica facilities which includes a custody suite complete with interview rooms, crime scene house and courtroom facilities. There are visits to settings such as police custody suites, victim support facilities and courts, plus a fascinating guest lecture programme.

Opportunities and experiences

Investigative work experience will be central to your studies: our links with employers like Nottinghamshire Police and Rolls-Royce will open up opportunities for you. You’ll enjoy unique opportunities to gain vital investigative work experience throughout your studies.

Careers and employability

The transferable skills you’ll develop in areas like loss prevention and investigative interviewing are essential in policing and the wider arenas of civilian investigation and crime reduction. As this degree has been devised in close partnership with constabularies, it can act as a stepping stone to a policing career too.

Based solely on more than 24,000 student reviews, we were named Uni Compare's University of the Year 2027, and voted 1st in the UK for employability and 2nd in the UK for course quality. Not only that, but 97% of students would recommend the University of Derby*, which we can offer you industry-relevant teaching, state-of-the-art study spaces, multi-award-winning accommodation, and a welcoming, inclusive community.

*Uni Compare 2027