Student bagging evidence at a mock crime scene
BSc (Hons) Placement year available

Crime and Investigative Studies

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

Study in specialist facilities, and gain all-round knowledge and skills in crime scene examination and official procedures.

Our lecturers draw on 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.

  • A student wearing a hazmat suit and gloves taking a sample from a bloody knife

    Hear more from our staff and students about the Crime and Investigative Studies degree in Cambridge.

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Why ARU?

  • Study a course accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, gaining essential skills for your career.

  • Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; designed with local police forces and other organisations to give you exposure to 'real-world' problem solving.

  • Learn in crime scene simulation facilities and the SuperLab in our £45m Science Centre.

  • Get hands-on with 360-degree cameras and technology systems.

  • Benefit from our lecturers’ breadth of expertise and experience.

  • Join the Forensics and Crime Society to socialise and get involved in events.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Course options

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

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
  • Group Tutorial
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Forensic Scene Examination (15 credits)
  • Police and Forensic Investigations (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Fire Investigation (15 credits)
  • Professional and Personal Development - Level 5
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
  • Mass Fatality Incidents (15 credits)
  • Evidence Based Policing (15 credits)
  • Digital Forensics (15 credits)
  • Group Tutorial
  • Project Preparation (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)
  • Group Tutorial
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Critical Thinking
  • Maths for Scientists
  • Cellular Biology
  • Biology: Physiology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics for Life Sciences
Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Year 3
  • Work Placement Life Science
Module details

Learn from expert tutors and visiting professionals from regional police forces, the Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency.

Student experience

  • Student wearing protective clothing and gathering samples from a mock crime scene

    Collect and analyse evidence from authentic crime scene rooms.

  • Tape demarcating a crime scene: the words Crime Scene Do Not Enter on tape

    Work with Cambridgeshire Police or a forensic laboratory on your dissertation.

  • Student analysing samples in a science lab

    Learn in our £45m Science Centre in the heart of Cambridge.

  • Group of students working together on a project

    Work on real-world problems presented by organisations such as public services, local councils and charities.

  • Cambridge councillor and Trusted Adult Scheme participant holding spray paint cans in front of a piece of artwork

    Work with practitioners and academics to support children and young people in the community.

    • ;
  • Student wearing protective clothing and gathering samples from a mock crime scene
  • Tape demarcating a crime scene: the words Crime Scene Do Not Enter on tape
  • Student analysing samples in a science lab
  • Group of students working together on a project
  • Cambridge councillor and Trusted Adult Scheme participant holding spray paint cans in front of a piece of artwork
  • Student wearing protective clothing and gathering samples from a mock crime scene
  • Tape demarcating a crime scene: the words Crime Scene Do Not Enter on tape
  • Student analysing samples in a science lab
  • Group of students working together on a project
  • Cambridge councillor and Trusted Adult Scheme participant holding spray paint cans in front of a piece of artwork

Facilities

As a Crime and Investigative Studies student at ARU you'll use cutting-edge facilities, including 360-degree camera and technology systems in our £45m Science Centre, authentic crime scene rooms, and creative resources such as 3D printers.

You'll also benefit from award-winning IT and library facilities.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Accreditation

Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Our three-year degree course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, the professional body for forensic practitioners in the UK and internationally.

Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences logo

Careers

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.

Person standing at a door with 'Police line do not cross' tape across it

"If you look for similar courses in the UK, you won’t find anything quite like what ARU offers. We have practical sessions almost every week. It truly is a wonderful experience."

Nick, BSc (Hons) Crime and Investigative Studies student

Follow Nick's university journey

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