Professional Investigative Practice (MA)
The MA Professional Investigative Practice is designed for officers in senior investigative roles, particularly those involved in or preparing for PIP 3 under the Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) framework.
This course supports the continuing professional development of police officers, enabling them to refine their investigative skills and leadership capabilities.
Students who have achieved PIP 3 may gain Recognition of Certificated Prior Learning (RPCL), allowing them to fast-track up to 80 credits of the course. Those working towards PIP 3 will engage in tailored modules designed to build the skills and knowledge necessary for success. The programme supports the College of Policing’s mission to enhance the professionalism of the police service by fostering theory and practice integration.
This Master’s degree offers opportunities for police upskilling through critical study and research, culminating in a dissertation that enhances expertise in tackling complex investigations and leadership in the evolving field of policing. It provides pathways to contribute to areas such as intelligence and professional practice, empowering officers to take on greater responsibilities within the legal and justice system.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Part-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
At UWTSD, our MA Professional Investigative Practice is designed to combine academic study with professional development, ensuring you gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for success in senior investigative roles.
Our philosophy emphasises integrating research, critical thinking, and real-world applications to prepare you for the challenges of complex investigations and leadership in the modern policing environment.
Year 1: Foundational Investigative Skills
In your first year, you will explore the core elements of professional investigative practice, focusing on developing an understanding of investigative processes and critical research methods. Modules provide a comprehensive grounding in the principles of PIP 3 preparation, with emphasis on theory and practice integration. You will begin to enhance your ability to manage complex investigations, focusing on leadership and strategic planning.
Year 2: Advanced Leadership and Practice
Building on the foundations of Year 1, Year 2 deepens your expertise in managing intelligence and addressing challenges in complex investigations. You will focus on leadership skills and critical decision-making while undertaking advanced studies in professional practice. This year also includes the start of your dissertation, where you will apply theoretical knowledge to real-world investigative challenges, contributing to your continuing professional development.
Year 3: Dissertation and Professional Impact
Year 3 is dedicated to completing your dissertation, enabling you to investigate a topic of professional interest in depth. This capstone project integrates your learning from previous years, helping you apply your investigative skills to contribute to advancements in the field. By the end of this year, you will be prepared to take on leadership roles, enhancing the professionalism of the wider policing and legal justice system.
Course disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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2:2 honours degree
- or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
Alternative entry routes
- Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree.
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. 
Admissions Advice and Support
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa.
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.
For full information read our visa application and guides.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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A range of summative methods is employed. Exams are not used in the programmes because the assessment focus is on work-based learning and the reflection of theory into practice. Coursework is the primary assessment strategy as it facilitates assessment that synthesises knowledge and understanding, cognitive, practical and key skills using methods appropriate to both the level of study and workplace requirements.
Assessment of the modules is primarily through portfolios of evidence plus a major project that tests knowledge, understanding, cognitive skills and the practical and key (transferable) skills that mirror the skills that the learners will use within their employment role.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch.
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills.
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The aim is to offer a coherent programme for continuing professional development that enables police forces to upskill their officers in line with the College of Policing’s ambition to professionalise the service.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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This programme is ideal for those who want to learn more about the history, literature and cultural heritage of Wales and the Celtic regions in order to improve their job prospects. Many of the students who undertake the course on a part-time basis are already in employment and wish to gain a postgraduate qualification as a possible means to promotion or change of job role. Former students include journalists, writers, storytellers, teachers, lecturers, editors and people who work in the tourist or heritage industries. Many of our students have also gone on to further research in Celtic Studies at PhD level.