BA (Hons) Criminology (Policing and Investigations) with Placement Year

Our criminology degree is one of the first in the world and we offer one of the most innovative programmes in the UK. The BA Criminology (Policing and Investigations) shares its core with the BA Criminology, while offering a series of modules with a focus on contemporary policing and investigations, together with options for relevant practice-based placements (online or face-to-face).

This new programme is aimed at this wider context of policing. It not only equips you with key skills that allow you to understand the causes of crime in the 21st century, it also equips you with key skills to build a career responding to crime.

The BA Criminology (Policing and Investigations) is not a pre-join degree for the police service, however the degree will allow you to apply for the accelerated Degree Holders Entry Programme, if you are interested in joining a UK police service after graduation.

BA Criminology (Policing and Investigations) offers an extensive knowledge of the discipline of criminology and practices of policing and investigation. You will be able to apply this knowledge for creative, critical, ethical thinking and action.

You will develop the knowledge and awareness to be ethically informed, respectful of human rights, particularly in relation to the history and contemporary forms of policing and investigation in complex diverse societies.

This course is open to many fields of work and further study. It is ideal if you are interested in policing, but also if you aren't sure if you’d like to go into the field directly or might be interested in exploring other related fields.

Middlesex University has played a significant role in shaping criminology in the UK and internationally and has an extensive experience in policing education. One of the key strengths of our programmes is that we “team-teach” a number of our core and optional modules. This mode of teaching allows you to experience a diverse range of knowledge, experiences and pedagogical styles, assisting in the development of your knowledge and skills at all levels of the programmes.

We encourage work between students through projects, workshops, and labs (either face-to-face or online). You’ll be able to work with a team(either face-to-face or online) and build on communication, organisation and analysis skills. You will gain industry experience though field trips and an optional volunteering module (either face-to-face or virtual presence in the organisation) that enables you to integrate your learning and development from that experience into your degree.

This focus on industry engagement means in your final year you can choose whether to undertake a dissertation or a work-based project.

You will have the ability to choose a specialist module in Year 2. Additionally, in your final year, you will have the opportunity to undertake either term or year-long placement modules (involving either a virtual placement or being physically present in the organisation you are working with).

Lectures allow you to gain and develop knowledge in specific subjects. You can discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures and practicals in smaller seminar groups. In addition, you can arrange one to one sessions with your personal tutor or module leader. You will also have access to and use resources to support your learning.

When not attending your teaching, sessions mentioned above, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and examinations. Your independent learning is supported by the facilities available including the library and Study Hub, Laptop hire, and with online materials in MyUniHub (see student support section below).

Your overall workload will include the activities listed above, and with each credit being completed equating to 10 hours of study time (You will complete 120 credits per level of study, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits). While your actual hours may depend on the optional module that you choose (if available), the following information will give you an indication of how much time is allocated to teaching and independent study on your course;

Level 4

22% of your time is spent in timetabled Teaching and learning - typical structure activity:

Level 5

20% of your time is spent in timetabled Teaching and learning - typical structure activity:

Level 6

20% of your time is spent in timetabled Teaching and learning - typical structure activity: