BSc (Hons) Policing and Intelligence with Foundation Year

This module introduces you to the principles and practice of forensic science, with a focus on the professional standards and processes that guide the work of forensic scientists in the UK and beyond. You will learn about the role of the Forensic Science Regulator, ISO standards and laboratory accreditation, and why these are important for ensuring reliable results and public confidence in forensic evidence. You will develop an appreciation of different types of evidence commonly seen in investigations, such as biological materials, digital data, physical impressions, and trace materials such as hair, fibres, glass, and particulates. Through practical work and case studies, you will start to see how this evidence is located, recorded, recovered, analysed and interpreted, and begin to understand the challenges of presenting findings in the justice system. Practical sessions and seminars will give you the chance to apply what you have learned, reflect on real cases, and develop the professional awareness and ethical approach expected of forensic scientists.

This module will enable students to appreciate the purpose, basis and challenges of police powers and procedures in a variety of contexts. Students will explore the function of police powers and the need for clear rules and regulations for these procedures when dealing with the public. There is a focus on stop search and the challenges inherent with this type of situation. The module enables students to appreciate the importance of community engagement and of the need to understand legislation. Students will become familiar with the key elements of PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984) relating to searches, arrests and custody.

This module supports your transition into university life and introduces you to professional policing. It helps build confidence, develop a strong academic identity, understand the expectations of university study and provides important introductory information about policing. Students will examine the purpose, significance, and responsibilities of the UK police service across a range of contexts, while developing core academic skills. These include independent learning, digital literacy, and ethical academic practice, such as becoming familiar with key sources of information and academic research on national policing policy and strategy, the ability to reference these sources appropriately, awareness of plagiarism, and the responsible and lawful use of artificial intelligence in accordance with university policy and ethical behaviours. This module will explore the role and history of law enforcement agencies in the UK and the key issues and challenges surrounding policing, with a particular focus on professionalism and policing by consent. The module is structured around seven themes identified by students as essential to their university experience: Ready to Study: Clear guidance on expectations, transitions, and workload planning. Academic Skills and Educational Gain: Development of foundational academic skills including time management, critical thinking, and digital fluency. Career Readiness and Professional Identity: Early exploration of career pathways, CV building, and professional behaviours. Personal Development and Belonging: Activities that foster confidence, inclusion, and identity within the university community. Social engagement and community building: Opportunities to connect with peers, staff, and wider university life. Feedback and Reflective Practice: Structured opportunities to receive, apply, and reflect on feedback to support growth. Wellbeing and Student Support: Embedded access to support services and strategies for success

This module, in part, builds on the foundational skills and reflective practices introduced in the Level 4 'Succeeding at University in Professional Policing’ module, supporting students to deepen their professional identity and career readiness. It is designed to support learners in developing the knowledge, skills, and reflective practices essential for continuous professional growth in a dynamic and challenging workplace. It introduces the student to some of the major figures, theories, models, concepts and approaches that have shaped police practice and research. Through a mix of practical experience and professional development sessions, this module will enable learners to explore essential themes such as personal effectiveness, leadership, communication, ethical practice, and lifelong learning. They will also develop an understanding of key concepts and areas of research relating to policing. Drawing directly from work experience and/or professional setting, learners will reflect on their real-world experiences to deepen their understanding of what it means to grow and succeed in their field. Students may draw on case studies or sector examples to connect theory to practice. Learners will engage in self-assessment, goal setting, and action planning to identify both their strengths and their areas for development. The module emphasises reflective practice as a tool for professional learning and encourages learners to think clearly and critically about the development of police thinking and theories and critically evaluate their experiences and performance, with particular regard to problem-oriented crime prevention, ethical decision making, the exercise of discretion, risk and evidence-based policing (EBP).

Intelligence has a long and sometimes infamous history in securing society. Often recognised by the ‘daring do’ of espionage, or the cloak and dagger gathering of secret intelligence. Popularised by characters such as James Bond (007) and the more taciturn George Smiley; Intelligence is much more than a ‘secret’ tool for international security but utilised locally to protect communities through Intelligence Led Policing. In an increasingly digitised world - where borders are transcended easily and open-sources produce citizen sleuths - intelligence plays a pivotal role across the security domains. In this module we cover the basics of intelligence and growth of joined up intelligence in providing individual security, internal security, and national security in the United Kingdom. We will look how intelligence has been, and continues to be, used in law enforcement, liaising with well-known UK intelligence and security partners in the Security Service (MI5), Secret Intelligence eService (SIS), and Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), whilst coming to comprehend the need for transnational partnerships and intelligence liaison to meet the growing threat of organised and transnational organised crime. Throughout, stopping to recognise the legal, ethical, and practical constraints of intelligence in a diversifying threat arena.

This module provides an in-depth exploration of the theoretical and practical aspects of crime scene investigation and complex incidents requiring forensic investigation, with a focus on serious and major crimes. Students will gain an understanding of the critical principles and processes involved in scene management, preservation, forensic strategy, examination and evidence processing, ensuring they are equipped with the skills necessary to handle complex crime scenes while adhering to both legal and professional standards. The module will explore different serious, major and complex crime types, as well as other complex incidents requiring forensic investigation, and application of scene processes and principles to different scene type scenarios, working as part of a wider investigation and specialist team. The module will examine the role of forensic science professionals in scene investigations, considering essential regulations such as the Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) Codes of Conduct, and the importance of accreditation to standards like ISO 17020 (which governs the competence of inspection bodies and crime scene investigation). Students will also explore the legal and ethical obligations of crime scene investigators, including the protocols necessary to maintain the integrity of evidence and ensure it is admissible in court.

The module will focus on developments in punishment within the UK from 1853 to the present day. It will explore the types of punishments employed in the UK throughout the period as well as the social and intellectual forces that have had a seminal impact on the development of punishments and sentencing during that period. It will also consider how, over time, the role of the victim in sentencing has altered, as well as the wider social, historical, economic and cultural factors which various criminological theorists argue have driven these changes. It will provide you with the opportunity to learn about, debate and critically discuss the fundamental changes in punishment methods following the introduction of prison as a major form of punishment for serious offences which also paved the way for a more rehabilitative and reformative approach to punishment of both adults and juveniles. It will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context as to both how and why we have the current system of punishing offenders and also ask you to consider the degree to which such a system is effective in its means of punishment.

You will be able to choose an area of policing to research in detail. You will select and research an area in depth utilising critical thinking, project management and research skills to produce an investigation of the selected area. Students have previously undertaken dissertations on a very wide range of topics including knife crime, violence against women and girls, terrorism, drug smuggling, modern slavery, crime prevention strategies, and the impact of social media on a variety of relevant areas, including; perceptions of crime, gang membership and perceptions of the police. A member of the Policing teaching team will be chosen, on the basis of the subject you are researching, to act as a supervisor for the project, advising you on the approaches taken and looking at drafts of work. Where students choose to carry out independent primary research (using activities such as interviews or surveys), guidance will be given regarding research ethics in line with the university's regulations. Your supervisor will act as a sounding board for your ideas.

The module will require you to critically analyse professional standards in policing and the qualities of police accountability in practice. Students will consider the roles and responsibilities of police officers, police staff, police leaders, internal professional standards departments and external mechanisms of oversight and complaint in holding police officers to account according to appropriate ethical and professional standards. Relevant standards such as the police misconduct regulations and the Code of Ethics, and the nature and effect of the police disciplinary process will be examined. You will consider the complexity and challenges of operational policing and the difficulties of maintaining professional standards and delivering police accountability on the ground. Case studies of police officer misconduct and best practice will be examined.

This module explores the full scope of public protection policing, encompassing policy, research, theory, and practice. Students will examine the complex nature of vulnerability and public protection, gaining insight into how and why individuals become victims of crime. Key theoretical perspectives and concepts underpinning victimisation will be critically analysed. The module develops students’ understanding of the legal powers, legislation and policy relevant to the areas of policing practice concerned. These include child sexual exploitation, county lines, child criminal exploitation, modern slavery, domestic abuse, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, sexual offences, hate crime, and mental health related incidents. Students will apply evidence-based research to critically assess complex and sensitive cases. Consideration will be given to the impact of these offences on victims, their families, the wider community, and the criminal justice system. The module also explores how vulnerable individuals are supported by the police and partner agencies, with a focus on safeguarding and risk management. Multi-agency working is a central theme throughout, supported by analysis of serious case reviews and approaches to offender management. In addition, the module introduces students to contemporary policing technologies and the growing prevalence of digitally facilitated crime. Students will examine the role of the deep web, social media, hacking, and other forms of complex cyber-enabled offending, as well as the range of digital devices and technologies used within both policing and criminal contexts.