2025/26 entry

BSc (Hons) Forensics, Policing and Investigations with Foundation Year

Start date:
September
Study mode:
Full-time
Course duration:
4 years
Campus:
Mt Pleasant
UCAS Code:
L43F
Grades/points required:
DDD-CDD (72-80)

Tuition fees

Foundation first year
£5,760
International full-time per year
£17,750
Second and subsequent years
£9,535
All figures are subject to yearly increases. Tuition fees are subject to parliamentary approval.
General enquiries:
0151 231 5090
courses@ljmu.ac.uk
International admissions
international@ljmu.ac.uk

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Why study Forensics, Policing and Investigations with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University?

  • Explore, in-depth how forensics links to the field of investigation
  • Innovative and thought-provoking modules both reflect and challenge current investigative practices and debates
  • Taught by lecturers with academic and professional backgrounds in policing and the use of forensic science
  • Access our innovative Crime Scene Investigations facilities
  • Field trips include Merseyside Firearms Training Centre and the Emergency Services Training Centre as part of your core modules
  • Opportunities to volunteer as a Special Constable in Merseyside Police and other local forces

About your course

Love murder mysteries and true crime? While reality is very different from what you see on the media, this is a fast-paced, rewarding career field that combines science, keen powers of observation, and evidence-based strategies.

The BSc Forensics, Policing and Investigations degree at Liverpool John Moores University will engage you in the understanding and development of key strategies for effective crime scene management and how forensics link to the field of investigation and policing.

Students will experience a critical exploration of contemporary policing issues as they develop skills and prepare for professional practice.

We have developed this programme over many years of policing studies degree delivery, working with Merseyside Police Constabulary, College of Policing and other key stakeholders in the policing and criminal justice sectors.

This degree prepares students for the diverse world of investigative, forensic and evidence gathering techniques, leading to a wide range of rewarding career options.

Each student is allocated a personal tutor whose role is to offer general advice, guidance and support regarding the broader aspects of your studies and university life in general.

You will be taught at Mount Pleasant Campus in the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing, a pioneering research centre for interdisciplinary law enforcement, and is licensed by the College of Policing to deliver degree programmes.

Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the interest and ability to study for a degree, but do not have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Forensics, Policing and Investigations honours degree programme yet. Once you pass the Foundation Year (level 3) you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

  • Policing students visiting New York City and the Henry Lee Institute

    Policing students visiting New York City and the Henry Lee Institute

  • Emergency Services Training Centre

    Emergency Services Training Centre

"The course has been extremely interesting, giving me an insight into the policing world while developing my understanding that the term policing can be incorporated in to many different career aspects. I have developed a firm understanding of academic theories and have been able to apply these greatly to my role as a Special Constable. The course incorporates a great mix of academia, practical teaching and an overall student experience which I have felt that I have grown a lot as a person in confidence and knowledge."
Ben Griffin, graduate

Professional accreditation/links

All of our qualifications conform to the professional and regulatory guidelines established by The College of Policing and have been developed to reflect changes in the way that police constabularies are recruiting new constables nationally.

Fees and funding

There are many ways to fund study for home and international students

Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:

  • library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
  • access to programme-appropriate software
  • library and student IT support
  • free on-campus wifi via eduroam

Additional costs

Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:

  • accommodation and living expenditure
  • books (should you wish to have your own copies)
  • printing, photocopying and stationery
  • PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
  • mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
  • field trips (travel and activity costs)
  • placements (travel expenses and living costs)
  • student visas (international students only)
  • study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
  • academic conferences (travel costs)
  • professional-body membership
  • graduation (gown hire etc)

Funding

There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.

Employability

Graduates find themselves working a variety of policing roles, such as operational officers, police staff, or wider law enforcement agencies.

Employability is a core module of the degree, where in your final year you will be encouraged and supported to consider your career path in policing.  

For graduates who wish to apply for police constable roles in England and Wales, need to do so within five years of graduating.  Achieving this degree is a requirement but does not guarantee appointment to a police force. Recruitment and appointment is subject to the relevant regulations and requirements of police recruitment and selection processes. This includes medical and fitness testing along with background and security checks. Recruitment and selection processes are rigorous and may vary between forces.

Candidates applying to join a police constabulary must also undertake a series of assessments including National Recruitment processes and Force vetting. Guidance on recruitment can be found on the College of Policing website.

For graduates who seek careers outside of police constable roles, may find themselves working in:

  • Border Force Control
  • National Crime Agency
  • Police Staff - Researchers, Analysts or Advisors 

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.

One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.

A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.

Go abroad

LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.

Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?

Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.

A life-changing experience 

There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree.

What you will study on this degree

Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Level 3

Core modules

Preparing for Success: Academic Skills
20 credits

This module provides you with the integrated skills required for academic success. You will develop your skills of creating posters, constructing bibliographies, and sourcing relevant materials. Alongside this you will learn to identify and understand academic writing and referencing techniques. The multi-disciplinary syllabus and assessment tasks will enable you to acquire the academic skills needed for successful transition into Level 4 and the completion of the degree.

Investigating Liverpool
20 credits

This module provides you with the necessary skills to develop a research project on the Liverpool City region from your particular subject perspective. You will explain academic research methods, write a coherent piece of academic work based on an understanding of Liverpool, and locate relevant research to support your project. The module will help you to develop an independent approach to learning.

Contemporary Issues in Security and Policing
20 credits

This module provides you with the opportunity to understand contemporary issues in security and policing. You will learn to identify contemporary themes in security and policing and how theory can help explain crime. Through your study you will understand the challenges to mainstream security and policing and develop the ability to express key ideas about security and policing in written form.

Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
20 credits

This module provides you with the opportunity to understand contemporary issues in Criminal Justice. It gives you a foundation-level knowledge of how Criminal Justice works in 21st-century England and Wales.

Crime, Justice and Diversity
20 credits

This module aims to raise your awareness of the different social factors which can impact on how crime is committed and against whom. The module also builds knowledge of the impact of social factors on crime, victimisation and criminal justice.

Society, Status and Social Policy
20 credits

This module provides a sociological context for students to understand the key contemporary social issues affecting the UK.

Level 4

Core modules

Exploring Policing and Investigation Studies - Skills for Success
20 credits

In this module you will develop your academic skills including referencing and writing. You will research the court system in England and Wales and develop team work in a shared research project.

Introduction to Policing and Investigation
20 credits

This module aims to help you understand key theories and concepts relevant to policing and the wider criminal justice system by examining the chronological development of policing and other institutions within the system, landmark events and their inter-relationship and relevance.

Crime Scene Investigation
20 credits

This module introduces you to crime scene investigation so you can develop skills such as: analysis and problem solving, written communication and team work. The basic crime scene skills of photography, note taking, and sketching are taught along with the concept of recovery, enhancement and comparison of fingerprints.

Practice, Procedure and the Criminal Law 1
20 credits

This module aims to introduce you to the role, responsibilities and powers of the police in differing societal and operational environments. The module provides you with a critical introduction to the foundations of criminal law and the criminal justice system. You will identify the key ingredients of a criminal offence, the varying liability of third parties, and common defences prescribed by criminal law, highlighting the importance of police integrity and the role played by police officers in the successful application of criminal law sanctions.

Forensic Science
20 credits

The aim of this module is to introduce you to a wide range of scientific areas and methods used in forensic science.

Technology and Policing and Investigation
20 credits

This module will introduce you to the legal, professional and ethical issues relating to the use of a broad range of technologies in the policing and law enforcement context. You will explore the issues around social media and its use in the personal and professional context and the criminal use of technologies and the challenges this presents.

Level 5

Core modules

Policing Communities
20 credits

This module aims to develop your understanding of the concept of equality and diversity. It provides you with an opportunity to critically explore factors which have come to inform policing environments and practices, and to reflexively acknowledge how personal behaviours can support the promotion of the principles of equality and diversity within the workplace and the wider community.

Practice, Procedure and the Criminal Law 2
20 credits

The module aims to introduce you to aspects of the criminal law and police powers. At the end of the module, you will be able to identify and critically appraise the extent of these laws and powers, alongside exploring relevant legislation, policy and practice guidance.

Conducting Investigations
20 credits

The module aims to develop your understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters for the investigation of criminal offences and provide the opportunity for you to demonstrate and explain investigative procedures through the use of case studies and crime scene practical's. It will also provide an opportunity to critically explore the range of regulatory processes and professional values which inform practice, theories of team work, communication, issues of professional status and power and working across organisational boundaries.

Forensic Methods
20 credits

This module develops practical skills in crime scene investigation and extends the knowledge of forensic analysis and concepts introduced at Level 4. You will also develop knowledge of the court system and the legal context of the discipline.

Policy, Practice and the Evidence Base
20 credits

This module will develop your understanding of the literature relevant to the concept of evidence based practice as it relates to Policing. You will also explore the epistemological, methodological and ethical underpinnings of the study.

Psychology of Investigation
20 credits

This module aims to help students understand how an understanding of Psychology can support them when conducting interviews in relation to Qualitative methodology.

Optional Modules

Study Year Abroad - Policing Studies
120 credits

The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.

Study Semester Abroad - Policing Studies
60 credits

The aim is to provide students with a semester of study at an approved overseas partner that will replace one semester of their LJMU programme at level 5.This is a semester of full-time study at an approved higher education institution which will replace one semester of level 5 study at LJMU. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be an appropriate substitute for the modules being replaced. Assuming successful completion of this semester, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the semester abroad.

Level 6

Core modules

Applying Forensics to Investigations
20 credits

This module aims to help students consider and apply how forensic science and analysis can support them when conducting an investigation, to include basic forensic concepts; recognition and recovery of evidence; crime scene integrity; the interplay between various components of the investigative process with forensics; and cold case analysis

Research Project
40 credits

The module aims to enable you to develop a detailed knowledge of your identified field and through this knowledge build a critical understanding of relevant policy and procedural guidance as it is applied in practice.

Approaches to protecting vulnerable people and the management of offenders
20 credits

The module aims to develop your understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters of multi-agency working arrangements across the sector. There will be an opportunity for you to work across disciplinary boundaries and gain experience through work related learning using 'real life' case studies.

Optional Modules

Investigating Serious and Complex Cases
20 credits

The module aims to develop your understanding of the legislative and policy framework which sets out the parameters for the investigation of criminal offences. You will be provided with the opportunity to demonstrate and explain investigative procedures through the use of case studies and crime scene practicals.

Comparative Studies in Policing
20 credits

The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to conduct a focused piece of independent work in an international context on an area related to the Policing programme, and to encourage you to monitor and reflect critically on your own learning.

Terrorism and Counter Terrorism
20 credits

In this module you will examine the key concepts in relation to terrorism and explore a number of key issues including definitions of terrorism, ideologies, typology, group structures, tactics, methods of operation, target selection, state response, use of technologies, funding and media impact. You will also explore the concept of, and delivery of, counter terrorism initiatives with a focus on the measures being adopted within the United Kingdom, drawing on comparative counter-terrorism strategies from the US and Canada.

Application of Intelligence to Policing
20 credits

This programme will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the role, uses and application of intelligence within contemporary policing and partner agencies. You will also develop an understanding of how intelligence can be ethically collected, collated, evaluated, managed and analysed. This will also include the impact of the National Intelligence Model within policing and the wider criminal justice arena.

Teaching and work-related learning

Excellent facilities and learning resources

As part of this degree programme, you have access to our innovative Crime Scene Suites on campus and also take part in role-play and scenario tasks at the Emergency Training Centre in Birkenhead.

The programme is delivered by academic staff and practitioner academics, who are former serving officers of all ranks and roles, from Constable to Chief Constable. All staff are experienced in a wide range of subject areas and specialisms.

Throughout the programme there is a student mentoring scheme that supports students in their academic, professional and personal development.

There is also a wider School of Justice Studies Mentoring Programme that works with criminal justice agencies, such as policing, crime prosecution services, prison, probation and youth justice. 

Both employers and students should benefit significantly from this programme. Students gain employability skills and insights into specific careers, while employers experience the rewards of mentorship and the opportunity to share their knowledge with enthusiastic students.

Work-related Learning

Work-related learning is incorporated into every level of this programme so that once you graduate you will be equipped with a range of transferable skills and knowledge in analysis and interpretation, presentation, teamwork, initiative and research.

You will be strongly encouraged to become a Special Police Constable, a police volunteer or to volunteer within the criminal justice field throughout your studies so that you can gain practical insight into operational practices, build professional relationships and enhance your employability skills for police and related criminal justice professions after graduation.

Blended learning

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.

Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, online activities, workshops and seminars all of which you are expected to attend. In addition you will be supported to develop your skills relating to independent study and group work. You will need to participate in online activities and discussions using our virtual learning environment, Canvas.

Support and guidance

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

It is often useful to discuss course-related issues on a one-to-one basis and for this reason we will assign you a personal tutor for the duration of your studies at LJMU. Your tutor will also help you put together your personal development plan so that you can monitor progress and set your own targets.

Module tutors also provide support in the form of online learning materials, course guides and one-to-one consultations if you need them, and there will be study skills sessions to help you prepare for assessments.

Assessment

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

Your marks and feedback will be available within 15 working days of submitting a piece of work. That's because we believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to develop further.

Course tutors

Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning

Facilities

What you can expect from your School

Based at the John Foster Building, in the Mount Pleasant Campus, the Crime Scene Suite is an innovative facility that gives students the opportunity to explore crime scene perspectives and investigate approaches. 

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Grades/points required from qualifications: DDD-CDD (72-80)

Qualification requirements

GCSEs and equivalents

Evidence of Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy on their application form. 
 
GCSE Equivalences accepted:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A levels

DDD-CDD

BTECs

Extended Diploma: MMP

Access awards

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
 
Pass overall with a minimum of 72 points, including relevant subjects.
 

International Baccalaureate

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications From a relevant subject

Irish awards

Irish Highers: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

T levels

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
 
You need to obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area.

International requirements

  • Other international requirements

    International applications will be considered in line with UK qualifications Any Applicant whose first language is not English will be required to have IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each component)

International entry requirements

Find your country

Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.

Application and selection

Securing your place at LJMU

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.

The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.