Professional Investigation (BSc Hons)
The UK police service is facing a critical shortage of detectives, making it harder to maintain a strong and resilient force. The BSc Professional Investigation at the ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½ is designed to equip the next generation of investigators with the skills needed to tackle this challenge head-on.
This course provides a pathway for those looking to develop their career in policing and criminal investigation. Whether you’re an existing police officer aiming to build on your investigation skills or someone entering the field for the first time, this degree offers an exciting opportunity to gain both theoretical knowledge and work-based learning experience.
For students who have already completed PIP Level 1 and 2 qualifications, the programme offers a smooth transition. The Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) qualifications are integrated into the degree structure, allowing students to enter directly into the final year of the degree if they are PIP2 accredited. This means you can accelerate your studies through the RPCL process, bypassing earlier levels and focusing on advanced topics.
At level 6, the focus shifts to independent learning with a work-based approach, where you’ll explore a particular area of criminal investigation that interests you. The final year is dedicated to producing a comprehensive research study, encouraging you to reflect on your investigative strategies and strengthen your skills in real-life contexts.
The degree is structured into three 40-credit modules, two of which are work-based learning modules that will involve practical experience. The third is a taught module where you will deepen your understanding of complex issues in policing and criminal investigation.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Part-time
- English
- Welsh
Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn?
At the ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½, we believe in a practical, hands-on approach to learning that prepares students for real-world challenges. Our BSc Professional Investigation combines theoretical study with work-based learning, ensuring that you gain valuable experience alongside your academic development. You will be guided by expert tutors with both academic and operational experience, giving you the skills to succeed in the field of policing and criminal investigation.
Students enter at level 6 and then through a work-based approach focus on an area of interest, producing a research study while critically reflecting on investigative skills and strategies. There are three 40-credit modules, two of which are work-based learning modules with the third being a taught module.
The mode of study is blended with a mix of on-campus and online delivery.
There are 6 contact days.
Investigative Techniques and Skills
You will develop core investigation skills needed for law enforcement, including how to manage crime scenes, interview witnesses, and process evidence. Through work-based learning, you’ll apply these techniques in real settings, preparing you for the demands of a professional investigator role in policing or the wider criminal justice system.
Research and Critical Analysis
In the final year, you will undertake a research study that focuses on a specific area of criminal investigation that interests you. This will develop your ability to critically analyse investigative strategies, theories, and practices, helping you to reflect on your own professional development and contribute to the field.
Work-Based Learning
The course includes a strong emphasis on work-based learning, providing opportunities to gain real-world experience in policing and related sectors. This practical approach allows you to apply academic knowledge in real-life investigations, ensuring that you develop a clear understanding of the complexities of criminal investigation.
Policing and Criminal Justice Frameworks
Throughout the course, you will explore the key policing and criminal justice frameworks that shape modern investigative practice. You will learn about the legal and ethical considerations of criminal investigations, and how these frameworks are used to protect the public and ensure justice is served.
Career Development and Professionalism
The course is designed to support your career advancement within the police service or related fields. You will develop key professional skills, including leadership, communication, and problem-solving, which are essential for career opportunities in law enforcement, government agencies, and private-sector roles in investigations.
Semester 1
(Approximately 22 weeks)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
Semester 2
(Approximately 22 weeks)
(40 credits)
Semesters 1 and 2, plus approximately 6 weeks of the second year.
(40 credits)
Course Page 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.
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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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96 UCAS Tariff Points
- e.g. A-levels: CCC, BTEC: MMM, IB: 30
The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff.
We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design and, therefore, we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
We arrange interviews for all applicants to assess suitability for the chosen course. Your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered, as well as your portfolio of work.
GCSEs
GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required.
Alternative entry routes
If this course interests you, but you don’t have the entry requirements to join our bachelor’s degree you could consider:
- ‘with Foundation Year’. This route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) of supported study.
Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree. 
- Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE). This is a one-year course and is equivalent to the first year of the three year, full-time bachelor’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your CertHE studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remaining two years of the bachelor’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
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. 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 6.5, with not less than 6.0 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 variety of summary methods are used. Examinations are not used in the programs because the focus of the assessment is on work-based learning and reflecting theory in practice.
Coursework is the main assessment strategy as it facilitates assessment that combines knowledge and understanding, cognitive skills, practical skills and key skills using methods that are appropriate for the level of study and the requirements of the workplace.​
The three modules are assessed mainly through portfolios of evidence together with a major project, which tests knowledge, understanding, cognitive skills and the practical and key (transferable) skills which reflect the skills that will the learners use them in their jobs. ​
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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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There are no additional costs associated with this programme, although students would be expected to have access to IT equipment and would have to pay their own travel costs to get to campus.
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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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Graduates of the BSc Professional Investigation will be eligible for a wide range of career opportunities. Whether you wish to remain in the police service, move into senior positions in law enforcement, or explore roles in the private sector, this degree will help you develop your career.
By combining academic theory with real-world experience, you will be prepared for the challenges of modern investigations and the career boost you are looking for.
If you are ready to take your interest in policing and criminal investigation to the next level, this degree offers the perfect combination of flexible learning and professional development.