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Crime and Investigative Studies at Anglia Ruskin University - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Anglia Ruskin University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

7Jun
Anglia Ruskin University - Undergraduate Open Day - Chelmsford
Undergraduate
7Jun
ARU Peterborough - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate
7Jun
Anglia Ruskin University - Undergraduate Open Day - Cambridge
Undergraduate

Course summary

Learn about forensic science, crime scene processing, policing and the law, and experience the real world of crime and investigation.

  • Study a course accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, gaining essential skills for a career in this field.
  • Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; designed and developed with local police forces and other linked organisations, giving you invaluable exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.
  • Learn in our outstanding crime scene simulation facilities and SuperLab in our £45m Science Centre.
  • Get hands-on with industry-standard technology, such as 360-degree cameras and technology systems.
  • Benefit from our lecturers’ breadth of expertise and experience.
Are you interested in crime, forensic science, policing and the law, but unsure which subject to study? You’ll cover them all on our Crime and Investigative Studies degree course. As a BSc (Hons) Crime and Investigative Studies student in Cambridge, you’ll learn not only how to process a crime scene but also how to investigate a crime from scratch. We’ll consider all the processes involved through modules including Forensic Scene Examination. We’ll help you to understand the practical aspects of crime, and how they affect everyday investigations. You’ll look at different types of crime – from burglary through to murder – and find out how these are investigated by the Police, and how other agencies such as fire and rescue contribute to investigations. You'll gain experience through work placements, internships and field trips – and open up career possibilities in criminal justice, crime analysis, fire investigation, fraud, policing and victim support. Our three-year degree course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) and explores traditional investigative methods used by the Police, as well as newer approaches such as evidence-based policing. You will also learn how to present professional reports in both a policing environment and within a court of law. Use our superb crime scene rooms to learn the skills of a crime scene examiner, as well as industry-standard technology such as 360-degree camera and technology systems. The crime scene rooms feature video and audio CCTV so you can be assessed and receive valuable feedback. As well as benefitting from our tutors’ knowledge, you’ll attend guest lectures from different Police forces and organisations, for example; Essex Police, Northamptonshire Police, Beds, Cambs & Herts Tri-Force CSI, Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency and get an understanding of the workplace through visits to places such as the Crown Court, and other field trips. You have the option to take a placement year as part of your course, and gain valuable work experience. Going to university can offer you a series of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. As part of your course, you could study abroad with one of our short-term Global Experience programmes. Opportunities include summer schools and placements, lasting from one to four weeks and funded by ARU’s UK Turing Scheme grants.

Modules

Year 1: United Kingdom Legal Systems and Law for Forensic Scientists (15 credits) Applied Science for Forensic Investigators (30 credits) Introduction to Forensic Photography and Methodologies (30 credits) Investigative Skills (15 credits) Biological and Trace Evidence Analysis (30 credits) Professional and Personal Development - Level 4 Year 2: Forensic Scene Examination (15 credits) Police and Forensic Investigations (15 credits) Fire Investigation (15 credits) Professional and Personal Development - Level 5 Mass Fatality Incidents (15 credits) Evidence Based Policing (15 credits) Digital Forensics (15 credits) Project Preparation (15 credits) Ruskin Module (15 credits) Year 3: Undergraduate Major Project (30 credits) Management of Major Investigations (30 credits) Specialised Topics in Investigative Science (15 credits) Forensic Pathology (15 credits) Forensic Anthropology (15 credits) Major Investigations (15 credits)

Assessment method

Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to measure your progress. Our course has a hands-on approach, so a lot of your assessment will be through practical work. Your assessments will include traditional exams and assignments, as well as your performance in practical work, presentations, mock courts and group work.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

http://www.aru.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/crime-and-investigative-studies

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
90%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

https://www.aru.ac.uk/student-life/preparing-for-study/help-with-finances/undergraduate https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/tuition-fees
Crime and Investigative Studies at Anglia Ruskin University - UCAS