Gain all-round knowledge and skills in crime scene examination and official procedures, policing, intelligence, and the law in our accredited Cambridge-based course. Experience the real world of crime and investigation. Why study Crime and Investigative Studies at ARU?

Accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, meaning you will have the maximum opportunity to gain the 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’ diverse breadth of expertise and considerable experience working in the field.

Our lecturers will draw on their first-hand experience in the field to teach you about forensics and the importance of a methodical crime-scene process. You’ll also learn about different types of crime, and how these are investigated by the police in collaboration with other agencies such as fire and rescue. You’ll start by learning about legal systems in the UK, particularly procedures around evidence and the role of the forensic scientist and expert witness. You’ll get to grips with common types of evidence, including their collection, examination, preservation and documentation. You’ll go on to study specific aspects of evidence recovery and examination, including contamination, fire, and human remains. Our course explores traditional investigative methods used by the police, as well as newer approaches such as evidence-based policing. You’ll also learn how to present professional reports in both a policing environment and within a court of law. You’ll learn about the different roles and workplaces available to you, gain experience, and develop crucial skills and in your final-year, your major project is your opportunity to demonstrate everything you’ve learned. You’ll gain real-world experience through work placements, internships and field trips to places such as the Crown Court, as well as Live Brief projects, where local employers including the police will set you real-world challenges to tackle. As a Crime and Investigative Studies graduate, you’ll be ready to work in various areas of the criminal justice system – particularly policing, crime scene examination, prisons and security – as well as government intelligence agencies. The legal and criminology elements of the course can also open up career possibilities in social and youth work, crime analysis, victim support and legal work.

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

Course code:: F412

Institution code:: A60

Campus name:: Cambridge Campus

Campus code:: C

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

UCAS Tariff - 104 points

GCSE/National 4/National 5

2025 entry requirements have been published using the current cycle information however, due to a current review these are subject to change. Please check back here for updates.

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

Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

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

Provider information

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Anglia Ruskin University
East Road
Cambridge
CB1 1PT

Course contact details

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Main Contact

[email protected]

01245 686868

Anglia Ruskin University, Admissions Customer Services