BSc Hons Professional Policing

at Teesside University

The course encompasses the national curriculum for professional policing developed by the College of Policing.

You explore evidence-based policing; decision making and discretion; criminology and crime prevention; pro-active approaches to vulnerability, risk and public protection, and digital policing.

Course structure
Year 1 core modules
Foundations of Law

This module is the foundation of the programme. It introduces the English legal system and equips you with the methods and skills you need to study law at undergraduate level. You cover legal research and writing - essential skills for success throughout the degree. You also develop your key skills and begin to critically reflect on your own performance. In this module you are introduced to the University’s replica courtroom where you begin to develop law-specific and general presentation skills.

Introduction to Digital Investigation

You explore digital data, devices in modern society, and digital investigation principles and guidelines.

Introduction to Professional Policing

This module examines collaborative partnership working and a range of contemporary issues in policing. In addition you will be introduced to a range of underpinning legal and practical occupational skills.

Policing and the Community

Explores the role of the police within the community and the diverse nature of community issues, and partnership working.

Thinking about Crime

Introduces criminology and criminological theory, including crime trends, causes of crime and responses to crime.

Understanding the Policing Environment

Examines the historical development of policing developing understanding of specialist units and external organisations and agencies.

 
Year 2 core modules
Counter-Terrorism in Context

Explores the use of the roads network for criminal activities, using counter-terrorism as a framework for exploration. Includes the principles of joint-agency working in terms of major incidents.

Investigation in Practice

Explores the investigation of an offence, the gathering of other forms of evidence and develops knowledge of victim and witness care and support. Introduces use of the PEACE interviewing process in relation to victims of crime.

Law and Procedure

In this module you are provided with an opportunity to develop a critical knowledge and understanding of the nature and purpose of the criminal law, the basic elements of a crime, and a variety of specific criminal offences and defences. You will also develop a detailed and critical understanding of the rules and regulations which impact on the modern investigation of crime, with a particular focus on human rights.

Physical Evidence and Investigation

Provides understanding of the role of the investigator arriving at a scene of crime and how to locate, record, recover and assess the value of evidence to an investigation.

Professional Policing in Practice

On this module you further develop understanding of vulnerability and victimisation and fair use of police powers, and intelligence-gathering.

Research Skills for Police Practitioners

Prepares you for the final year research project by introducing research methodologies, in particular, evidence-based policing.
 
Final-year core modules
Defendants and Witnesses in the Criminal Justice System

This module focuses on the law concerned with the obtaining and admissibility of evidence at trial. It challenges you to explore the relevance of evidence in the investigatory process and during the criminal trial. Whilst the module is suited for those who wish to continue their studies and join various legal or investigative professions, it is an academic module and examines the law of evidence from an academic viewpoint.

Ethics, Integrity and Contemporary Issues

Expands knowledge of ethical issues, use of integrity, investigation and record-making.
From Report to Court

Consolidates learning gained across the course and gives opportunity to demonstrate understanding.

Policing Research Project

Enables the demonstration of research skills, group working, leadership skills, and presentation skills, within a group research project based on the principles of evidence-based policing.
Themes in Professional Policing

Examines motivation for offending, analysis of vulnerability, legislation and public protection together with other specialist areas

Entry requirements

A typical offer is 80-104 tariff points from at least two A levels (or equivalent). GCSE English at grade 4 (grade C) or equivalent.

Entry to 2022/23 academic year

Fee for UK applicants
£9,250 a year

Career opportunities

Police officer, either as a new police officer or at a more senior level via the Direct Entry Scheme. At a broader level, you will have the required knowledge and understanding to apply to be employed as police staff (such as civilian investigators, detention officers), or within the military police.

All programmes are designed to incorporate employability skills development alongside your degree course. Our staff utilise their extensive connections to provide many and varied opportunities to engage with potential employers through fairs, guest lecture sessions, live projects and site visits. In addition we offer a series of workshops and events in the first, second and third year that ensure all students are equipped with both degree level subject knowledge PLUS the practical skills that employers are looking for in new graduate recruits.

Our award-winning careers service works with regional and national employers to advertise graduate positions, in addition to providing post-graduation support for all Teesside University alumni.