UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
University of Central Lancashire
Preston Campus
3. University School/Centre
School of Forensic and Applied Sciences
4. External Accreditation
5. Title of Final Award
BSc (Hons) Policing and Criminal Investigation
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full-time
Part-time, daytime only
7. UCAS Code
FM49
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
9. Other external influences
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
National Occupational Standards for Crime Investigators
and Policing
Skillsmark
March 2015
June 2013
(July 2013 – minor change)
Updated September 2013
Updated July 2014
11. Aims of the Programme
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To foster the development of skills that will help in further academic and vocational training, and
in subsequent employment
To develop knowledge and learning ability in students to prepare them for a career as crime
investigator in the police service or one of the other investigative bodies in the public or private
sector
To provide education in: criminal law and criminal investigation; forensic science; and specialist
policing and police practice. These elements are tailored to the needs of the investigative
bodies
To make careers in criminal investigation accessible to people with disabilities that preclude
them from police service
To develop critical and analytical thought
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Describe and apply crime scene science, forensic science and evidence gathering relevant to
crime investigation
A2. Describe and apply criminal law
A3. Evaluate the English legal system and the roles of the people in it
A4. Evidence the skills required of a modern criminal investigator employed by the police or other
investigative organisation
A5. Describe and evaluate the structure and functioning of the police service in England and Wales
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures (internal and invited speakers), tutorials and seminars; role-play sessions and simulations
of crime scenes and incidents, practical demonstrations. presentations and exercises.
Assessment methods
Assessment: essays, short notes, reports (e.g. practical reports), formal unseen written
examinations, partially seen examinations, assessed role-plays, assessed seminars, presentations
and dissertation.
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Apply a range of practical techniques in the recovery, preservation and documentation of
scientific evidence
B2. Critically evaluate evidence within the law of evidence and relate it to substantive law.
B3. Apply knowledge of major concepts and principles of law.
B4. Apply knowledge of the terminology, nomenclature and classification of law and criminal
investigation.
B5. Organise and conduct investigative interviews.
B6. Communicate, observe and work in a team.
B7. Assess and examine crime scenes and recover physical evidence.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, tutorials, practical exercises, role-play, group work
Assessment methods
Examination, dissertation, assessed seminars, written assignments ,assessed presentations
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Select and analyse information from written, electronic and interview-based sources;
C2. Formulate hypotheses and lines of enquiry and execute critical evaluation of these in the light of
specific evidence.
C3. Present the results of investigative studies.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Tutorials, academic guidance sessions, dissertation support, role-play sessions and simulations.
Assessment methods
Assessed role-play , group presentations, oral presentation, written assignments and examinations
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Manage time and learning/work activities
D2. Work individually and in a group to solve ‘real world problems’
D3. Learn independently, making use of written, electronic and human sources of information
D4. Communicate effectively
D5. Management of people and situations, such as crime scenes and incidents
D6. Analyse problems and generate a dissertation plan
Teaching and Learning Methods
Role-play, practical exercises, presentations, use of IT based assignments, evidence of appropriate
IT sources; evidence of use of the library and literature searching; oral work in discussion and
presentation; numeracy and statistics in association with problem solving. Students are given
guidance on the development of keys skill by their personal tutors
Assessment methods
Written reports; oral and visual presentation skills. Presentation of group work, dissertation
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level 6
Module
Code
FZ3940
FZ3047
FZ3041
FZ3042
FZ3046
FZ3049
FZ3050
Level 5
FZ2030
FZ2045
FZ2046
FZ2047
FZ2048
FZ2049
FZ2130
FZ2145
FZ2146
FZ2147
FZ2148
FZ2149
Level 4
FZ1034
FZ1041
FZ1042
FZ1044
FZ1045
FZ1047
Module Title
Police and Criminal
Investigation Dissertation
Police Ethics and
Accountability
3 of the following:
Major Crime Inquiries
Policing Cybercrime
Fraud
International Humanitarian
and Criminal Law
Counter Terrorism
Criminalistics
Investigation Skills II
Pro-active Investigation
Techniques
Contemporary Issues in
Policing
A Further Investigation into
Policing in England and Wales
Offences Relating to Property
and Weapons
The following modules are
options only for those
students partaking in an
Erasmus Exchange:
Aspects of Criminalistics
Interviewing Suspects and
Witnesses
Drugs and Pro-Active
Investigation
Modern Policing Topics
Quality of Service in Policing
Offences Relating to Theft
Volume Crime Scene Science
Introduction to Law and Police
Powers
Offences Against the Person
and Public Order
Study Skills for Criminal
Investigation
Police Organisation and
Methods
Investigation Skills I
14. Awards and Credits*
Credit
rating
40
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
Bachelor Honours Degree in
Policing and Criminal
Investigation
Requires 360 credits at level 4 or
above including a minimum of
220 at Level 5 or above and 100
at Level 6
Bachelor Degree in Policing
and Criminal Investigation
Requires 320 credits at level 4 or
above including a minimum of
180 at Level 5 or above and 60
at Level 6
Diploma of Higher Education
in Policing and Criminal
Investigation
Requires 240 credits at Level 4
or above including a minimum of
100 at Level 5 or above
20
20
10
10
10
10
10
10
20
20
20
20
20
20
Certificate of Higher Education
in Policing and Criminal
Investigation
Requires 120 credits at Level 4
or above
15. Personal Development Planning
PDP is delivered and monitored through skills modules and the personal tutor system. Students are
provided with a PDP handbook in electronic format and are introduced to the idea by their personal
tutor (PT). Their PT will then guide them throughout their time at university, both in constructing their
PDP and in making sure that they are developing the right skills, helping them to identify and address
any issues.
Each student sees their PT six times a year (seven in year 1) for a small group tutorial where the PT
and other students will discuss a particular skill or employability issue. Typically the student will have
prepared a document or done a task in preparation for the meeting. Topics targeted at meetings
include time management and vocabulary developing at Level 4, ranging up to psychometric testing
and help with job applications at Level 6. These tutorials help students to identify and develop their
skills and also encourage a culture of confidence between tutee and PT, so that if any specific
problems arise with a student the PT will be in a position to assist.
The PT topics are constantly reviewed and updated in response to current practice in the workplace
and to feedback from PTs and tutees. PTs insist on seeing a completed PDP before writing
references.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website
for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Applicants will normally be required to have, one of:
BBC -ABB at A2, ND DDM.
In addition applicants will be required to have Maths and English GCSE at Grade C or equivalent.
Applicants will be required to have a minimum level of proficiency in English Language equivalent to
IELTS grade 6 with no subscore lower than 5.5
Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications, relevant work or life experience and
who can demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from degree-level studies are welcome. If
candidates have not studied recently they may be required to undertake an Access programme.
APL/APEL will be assessed through standard University procedures.
Please consult the UCLAN admissions department for the most up to date requirements.
17. Key sources of information about the programme
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University web site (www.uclan.ac.uk)
UCAS web site (www.ucas.ac.uk)
School website (www.uclan.ac.uk/forensic)
Course Leader
Admissions tutor
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level Module Module Title
Code
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
Knowledge and
understanding
LEVEL 6
A1
FZ3041
Major Crime Inquiries
O
FZ3042
Policing Cybercrime
O
FZ3046
Fraud
O
FZ3047
Police Ethics and
Accountability
International Humanitarian and
Criminal Law
Counter Terrorism
COMP
Policing and Criminal
Investigation Dissertation
Criminalistics
Investigation Skills II
Proactive Investigation
Techniques
Contemporary Issues in
Policing
A Further Investigation into
Policing in England and Wales
Offences Relating to Property
and Weapons
Aspects of Criminalistics¶
C
FZ3049
FZ3050
FZ3940
FZ2030
FZ2045
FZ2046
FZ2047
LEVEL 5
FZ2048
FZ2049
FZ2130
FZ2145
A3
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O
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COMP
FZ2147
FZ2148
Quality of Service in Policing ¶
O
FZ2149
Offences Relating to Theft¶
O
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Other skills relevant to
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D6
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Interviewing Suspects and
Witnesses¶
Drugs and Pro-Active
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Contemporary Policing¶
FZ2146
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Programme Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Skills
Thinking
Skills
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FZ1034
LEVEL 4
FZ1041
FZ1042
FZ1044
FZ1045
FZ1047
Note:
¶
Volume Crime Scene Science
Introduction to Law and Police
Powers
Offences Against the Person
and Public Order
Study Skills for Criminal
Investigation
Police Organisation and
Methods
Investigation Skills I
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Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
These options are available only for students partaking in an Erasmus Exchange
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