BA (Hons) Policing Studies | Part-time
- Entry year:
- 2025/26
- Start date:
- September, January
- Study mode:
- Part-time, Distance learning
- Course duration:
- 2 years
- Campus:
- Mount Pleasant
Why study this course with LJMU?
- Complete a Policing Studies degree in two years from the comfort of your own home.
- Taught entirely online, the course will allow you to study flexibly for a level 6 degree qualification at a time that suits you
- Ideal for existing Home Office forces, special police services and PCSO's where prior experience can be accredited for L4 and L5
- Allows existing Foundation policing-based degree students to progress to a BA (Hons) Policing Studies in two years
- Innovative and thought-provoking modules both reflect and challenge contemporary policing practices and debates
- Be a part of Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies, the UK's first research centre devoted to supporting the needs of 21st century policing
- Variety of assessment methods include essays, presentations, posters and multiple choice exams
- Assigned a personal support tutor from day one
About your course
Ideal for existing Home Office forces, special police services and PCSO's, this unique Policing Studies degree programme allows you to study fully online at a time and place that suits you.
The degree will take you on a critical exploration of policing, encouraging you to reflect on the contemporary challenges within policing and investigation. The course’s innovative and thought-provoking modules both reflect and challenge contemporary policing practices and will act as continuing professional development for serving police officers and support staff.
The course is designed to develop your career in policing and law enforcement, security and other allied professions.
If you’ve always wanted to pursue a degree without the commitment of on-campus study, Liverpool John Moores University offers a flexible two-year distance learning BA (Hons) in Policing Studies, delivered via the LJMU's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) ‘Canvas’.
You will be part of the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing, a pioneering research centre for interdisciplinary law enforcement, licensed by the College of Policing to deliver degree programmes included in the Optimisation of Policing.
We are one of a few Higher Education Institute's who offer the opportunity to achieve a BA (hons) in two years, with the flexibility of online learning.
Course modules
What you will study on this degree
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.
Core modules
Optional modules
Your Learning Experience
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt a purely online learning approach, meaning you will learn via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Canvas. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by email, video or phone call.
The programme is delivered by academic staff and practitioner academics. These practitioner academics are academically qualified, 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 mentoring scheme that supports students in their academic, professional and personal development.
Work-related Learning
This degree incorporates specific and specialist work-related topics into every level of learning, as well as equipping you with a versatile range of transferable skills and knowledge in analysis and interpretation, presentation, teamwork, initiative and research.
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 varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
We understand that all students have different strengths and preferences when it comes to assessments, so we use a variety of methods to assess your work structured across the academic year. These include essays, exams, fieldwork projects, reports, case studies, portfolios, online blogs and wikis, workplace practice, posters, presentations (individual and group), debates, reviews and group work.
You will normally receive extensive written feedback on your assessments, and occasional verbal feedback. All feedback is designed to help you achieve your full potential and get the most out of your studies, so staff will be available to discuss it with you and direct you to further support if you feel you need it.
Where you will study
Based within the John Foster Building, in the Mount Pleasant Campus, the School of Justice Studies is a leading provider of education in Policing Studies, Criminology and Criminal Justice. We provide specific training for policing students wishing to enter the service as a graduate recruit. The John Foster Building has many outstanding facilities, including well-equipped IT Suites, a light-filled Student Common Room and dedicated study areas. At the back of the John Foster Building is the Aldham Robarts Library, which gives access to an exceptional range of materials to support your studies.
Course tutors
Tricia Hughes
Lecturer
Policing is a really exciting industry to be involved with and the undergraduate policing programmes at Liverpool John Moores University are an outstanding introduction to this field and provide you with the skills you need to be successful in pursuing your ambitions
Policing is a really exciting industry to be involved with and the undergraduate policing programmes at Liverpool John Moores University are an outstanding introduction to this field and provide you with the skills you need to be successful in pursuing your ambitions
Tricia joined LJMU in March 2022, where she took on the role of lecturer in policing studies in LCAPS, she currently delivers on the traditional undergraduate degrees in the school and the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship programme. Tricia currently delivers across levels 4-6 in a variety of subjects including, terrorism, roads policing and academic skills. In her current role Tricia oversees the student reps on the PEQF courses, and she is involved in the student experience team in LCAPS.Tricia has been teaching since 2013 and prior to joining LJMU she has worked in FE colleges delivering a variety of courses including A-Levels, Access, and Degrees. She was previously an associate lecturer for UCLan and LJMU. Previously Tricia was a senior mental health carer for 11 years, including caring for those with dementia and other mental ill health diseases.Tricia holds a BA(hons) combined degree in Criminology and Psychology, a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education and Training, and an MSc in Policing and Criminal Investigation.
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Lecturer -
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer -
The flexibility of online learning, at a time that fitted around work and home life balance has been invaluable to progress my policing career. Supporting my practical experiences with academic theory has been extremely beneficial to my role.
Career paths
On completion of this two-year degree programme, you will be eligible to apply within five years to police constabularies for appointment as police constables.
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.
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.
Tuition fees and funding
- Part-time per year:
- £1,995
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus Wi-Fi.
Financial Support
The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.
You may be eligible to apply for a bursary from the College of Policing if you are a current member. Please liaise direct with the College of Policing for further information.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications:
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Qualification requirements
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
There are routes into the programme that cater for people without previous formal qualifications, but possess relevant experience within policing; including support staff and they are actively encouraged to apply.
This process is called RPEL (recognition of previous experiential learning) and those applicants wishing to utilise this route will be required to supply relevant evidence that meet specific learning outcomes, but guidance will be provided from the programme leader.
There is further information on this process on the College of Policing website
Students then join the programme at Level 6 (Year 3 of an undergraduate programme, having been awarded RPEL for Levels 4 and 5).
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