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MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Criminal Investigation

Duration
1 year
Start
September 2025
Delivery
In-person

Want to become a professional crime investigator? Interested in managing serious and complex cases? Our MSc Criminal Investigation course is designed to equip you with practical skills and knowledge you need.

Why study with us

  • Take control in our ‘HYDRA’ immersive learning suite, used by many emergency services to prepare senior officers to handle major incidents such as complex murder investigations.
  • Many of our staff are former senior investigating officers and detectives, so you’ll be learning from professionals with extensive experience in this field.
  • This course is available in full-time, part-time and online to accommodate those currently in full-time work.
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What you'll do

  • The course will examine your abilities to plan and justify investigation plans for proactive and reactive serious crime investigations against organised crime groups. You'll apply appropriate criminal law procedures.
  • The course assessments will challenge you to fulfil the role of a senior investing officer for a serious crime, involving complex victim disaster identification issues.
  • You’ll make full use of our dedicated facilities, including the Hydra Suite and visits to our crime scene houses.

Modules

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Looking to start your postgraduate journey?

Our range of subjects and study modes can support your goals. Take your next step with a postgraduate degree.

How to apply

Future careers in criminal investigation

Studying our postgraduate Criminal Investigation degree will help your career prospects. Today, you’ll find our graduates work in numerous countries around the world in roles such  as:

  • Senior investigating officers
  • Senior and frontline police officers
  • Detectives
  • National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators
  • Crime analysts

They also work in a wide variety of investigative roles within private companies and governmental departments.

Entry requirements

  • Applicants should hold at least 2:2 degree or appropriate professional experience or equivalent
  • Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits in the light of the nature and scope of the programme
  • IELTS: Score of at least 6.5 or equivalent

Not got the grades?

Our courses with a foundation year could be exactly what you're looking for. They provide an alternative route to study for this degree.

Find out more about our courses with a foundation year.

Fees and funding

2024/25
UK
Full-time£9,000 per year
Online full-time£9,000 per year
Part-time£1,000 per 20 credits
Online part-time£1,000 per 20 credits
International
Full-time£16,900 per year
Online full-time£9,000 per year
Online part-time£1,000 per 20 credits
2025/26
UK
Full-time£9,450 per year
Online full-time£9,450 per year
Part-time£1,050 per 20 credits
Online part-time£1,050 per 20 credits
International
Full-time£17,900 per year
Online full-time£9,450 per year
Online part-time£1,050 per 20 credits

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

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This course is delivered by the School of Law and Policing

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page