Course summary
This course has been developed with input from leading investigation, intelligence, security and financial specialists. As a result, you will develop the necessary industry standard skills and experience to carry out professional investigations to the highest level within commercial, public or criminal justice settings. It is essential that all investigations are carried out professionally, and with our commitment to your training we will ensure all of our investigators gain essential legal knowledge as well as the ability to conduct professional investigations whilst establishing and securing admissible evidence. The combination of practical role-play based activities and classroom teaching means that you are confident, ready and fully equipped to be a valuable asset to any organisation. If you are interested in a career in professional investigation, or are investigators seeking an academic qualification to enhance your skills, then this course provides a comprehensive introduction to key theoretical and practical issues, providing you with the knowledge and skills to confidently undertake professionally conducted investigations. The course, which has a wider focus than the Police Service, is underpinned by national policing practices and initiatives, such as the nationally recognised, 'Professionalising the Investigation Programme'. Throughout the course we look in depth at a variety of investigation methods, such as interview technique, the law surrounding investigations and Cyber Crime. The real strength of the programme is that it has a strong practical element that allows you to demonstrate your skills in scenario-based investigations. Ranked 1st for Social Policy in the National Student Survey 2024* By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:
- If you join us, you will experience student life at the University’s new £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.
- Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).
- At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2025 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2025***.
- Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.
- In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that If you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.
Modules
STAGE 1: • Law and The Criminal Justice System (Compulsory) • Introduction to Evidence and Procedure (Compulsory) • Crime and Criminality (Compulsory) • Legislation for Policing and Investigators (Compulsory) • Introduction to Investigative Interviewing (Compulsory) • Theoretical Concepts in Crime Scene Investigations (Compulsory) • Introduction to Academic Methods and Research (Compulsory) STAGE 2: • Crime and Criminal Investigation (Compulsory) • Investigation and Investigating Interviewing 2 (Compulsory) • The Management of Major Investigations (Compulsory) • Investigating Serious and Organised Crime (Compulsory) • Covert Investigations (Compulsory) • Research Skills for Investigations (Compulsory) • Open Source Intelligence for Investigations (Compulsory) STAGE 3: • Independent Study (Compulsory) • Cyber Crime (Compulsory) • Advanced Evidence and Procedure (Compulsory) • Employment Investigations (Compulsory) • Miscarriages of Justice (Compulsory) Module information is quoted for 24/25 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly. 25/26 entry modules will be released in June 2025.
Assessment method
Assessment are varied and consist of: • presentations • essays • assignments • skills labs • practical exercises • reports • reflective accounts and video presentations • exams and multiple choice tests. Paper based assignments are submitted electronically and are returned within 3 weeks.
How to apply
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:
- L438
- Institution code:
- N38
- Campus name:
- Waterside Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 points
A level - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma - M: 30 credits
Scottish Higher - BBBB
AS
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DMM
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF)
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
Pearson BTEC Certificate (QCF)
Scottish Advanced Higher - BCC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Extended Project
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - M2, M3, M3
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate
AQA Level 3 (Foundation) Technical Level (360 glh)
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (540 glh)
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (720 glh)
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (1080 glh) - DMM
T Level - Pass (C and above)
Student Outcomes
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
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | 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
Provider information
University of Northampton
The University of Northampton
Waterside Campus
University Drive
Northampton
NN1 5PH