BSc (Hons) Crime and Investigative Studies

Why study Crime and Investigative Studies at ARU?

• Accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, the professional body for forensic practitioners in the UK and internationally, 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.
• Explore outstanding crime scene facilities and SuperLab in our £45m Science Centre. Get hands-on with industry-standard technology, such as 360-degree cameras and technology systems.
• Our staff have a diverse breadth of expertise and a combination of over 50 years’ work experience, making learning more authentic, hands-on and current.

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.

We combine crime scene examination and procedures around ISO accreditation with other crime-related subjects, such as policing, intelligence and the law. You’ll learn about forensics, policing, the law and the important of a methodical crime-scene process from lecturers with first-hand experience in the field.

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.

As a BSc (Hons) Crime and Investigative Studies student at ARU, 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.

Is it accredited?

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.

You will gain real-world experience through work placements, internships and field trips, and career possibilities in criminal justice, crime analysis, fire investigation, fraud, policing and victim support.

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 open up career possibilities in social and youth work, crime analysis, victim support and legal work. Some of our graduates have gone on to work at:

• Counter Terrorism Policing
• Metropolitan Police
• National Crime Agency
• Royal Air Force
• Ministry of Defence
• Prison and Probation Service
• NHS
• Jazz Pharmaceuticals
• AstraZeneca
• Labcorp

ARU graduates of this course earn on average £2,500 more per year than the sector average 15 months after graduating. Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us. If you’d like to continue your studies we offer a wide range of full-time and part-time postgraduate courses. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

ARU ranked in the top 10% in the country for graduates in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024), and 5th in the country for the proportion of UK undergraduates who are employed as managers, directors, or senior officials 15 months after graduating. We're also in the top 10% in the country for the number of graduates in employment and further study who agreed they are using what they learnt during their studies.

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.