BSc (Hons) Forensics, Policing and Investigations
- Entry year:
- 2025/26
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 3 years
- Campus:
- Mount Pleasant
- UCAS Code:
- MF11
- Grades/points required:
- BCC - BBB (104 - 120)
Why study this course with LJMU?
- 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.
Policing students visiting New York City and the Henry Lee Institute
Emergency Services Training Centre
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
Core modules
Optional modules
Core modules
Optional modules
Professional accreditation
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.
Your Learning Experience
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.
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.
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.
Where you will study
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.
Course tutors
Dr Amanda Farrell
- Programme leader
I am programme leader and the international strategy lead for the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies. I previously worked as an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, and as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Justice working on the Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices. I received my PhD. from Old Dominion University in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and hold a Master of Science in Investigative Psychology from the University of Liverpool, as well as a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Sam Houston State University. During my MSc and PhD studies, I interned with a police department, primarily in field forensics. Due to previous training and experience, I had full access as an intern and worked anywhere between eight and 60 hours per week for the agency while also working as a lecturer and being a full-time doctoral student. I have worked many crime scenes with forensic personnel, formally and informally consulted on homicide investigations from multiple jurisdictions, assisted with instruction at both the police academy and in-service training, and guest lectured at the FBIs National Academy. During the last year of my doctorate degree, I was an ORISE research fellow for the FBI, working on multiple projects, including ones related to the prevention and investigation of mass shootings, as well as those related to kidnapped and murdered children. I also have a book chapter published on law enforcement perspectives on mass shootings that includes the traumatic impact of these events on first responders. My research and teaching interests include homicide, criminal investigations, field forensics, human sexuality, and policing in general, and specifically deadly force incidents and stress/trauma experiences. My recent work demonstrates expanded interest in stress/trauma and resilience, particularly regarding more broad investigative contexts and to the forensic science workforce. I have been published as a co-author in International Criminal Justice Review, Homicide Studies, the Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, Gender Issues, Psychology of Men and Masculinities, and Police Practice and Research: An International Journal and currently serve as an editorial board member on Psychology of Men and Masculinities.
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Lecturer
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.
Career paths
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.
Tuition fees and funding
- Home full-time per year:
- £9,535
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.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications: BCC - BBB (104 - 120)
Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.
Qualification requirements
How to apply
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.
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