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Forensic Investigation

FD Forensic Investigation

  • Course Type: Foundation Degree
  • Institution Code: P56
Course overview

What can this course lead to?

After successful completion of the FD Levels 4 and 5, you have the opportunity to complete the Level 6 of the BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation course to obtain a full honours degree with a further year of study.

Just some of the future careers for graduates after completing the course include:

Police Community Support Officer
Prison Officer
Border Force Officer
Immigration Officer
Scenes of Crime Officer (CSI)
Intelligence Development Officer (MoD)
Traffic Examiner (DVSA)
Forensic Vehicle Examiner

Who is it for?

Are you interested in crime, forensic science and policing, but unsure which subject to study? If so, you will cover them all on our course. We combine the crime scene examination part of forensic science with other crime-related subjects, such as policing and criminal justice.

We will help you to understand both the theoretical and practical aspects of forensic and criminal investigations. We will look at the impact of various crime types on victims and how the police deal with the investigation to bring about justice.

In the classroom, you will explore the investigative techniques used by police services, alongside contemporary issues including evidence based policing and crime prevention. You will also gain experience in dealing with a wide range of crime scenes, from burglaries to murders, including scenes of mass disaster and skeletal remains.

During the two years of this foundation degree, you will participate in approximately 16 crime scene investigations which are also assessed as part of your course.

Learning about the criminal justice system in the UK, you will find out how your investigation of different crimes can have a significant impact, and how you would need to present your investigative findings within a court of law.

Our lecturers have first-hand experience of crime scene analysis, policing and criminal justice. As well as benefiting from their knowledge, you will have guest lectures from visiting professionals and get an understanding of the workplace through visits to places such as the Crown Court, and other field trips. The course has close links with Cambridgeshire Constabulary and we ensure that you learn from industry experts.

The courses at University Centre Peterborough are studied in smaller class sizes compared with other universities, a typical class size is under 20 students.

To view the course specification, click here.

What is covered?

You must take modules worth 120 credits at each level of the course. Each module is worth a specified number of credits.

Year one for full-time students (Level 4)

  • Introduction to Forensic Techniques (15 credits)
  • Academic Skills (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Criminal Justice (30 credits)
  • Introduction to Policing (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Fingerprint Techniques (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Body Fluids and DNA Techniques (15 credits)
  • Crime Scene Recording (15 credits)

Final year for full-time students (Level 5)

  • Evidence Based Policing and Crime Prevention (15 credits)
  • Crime Scene Investigation (15 credits)
  • Major Crime Investigations (15 credits)
  • Cyber Crime Investigations (15 credits)
  • Research Methods (15 credits)
  • Working in the Criminal Justice Sector (15 credits)
  • Police Investigations (30 credits)

A typical 15 credit module is 150 hours which includes 36 hours of tutor led delivery and 114 hours of recommended independent study. A typical 30 credit module is 300 hours which includes 72 hours of tutor led delivery and 228 hours of recommended independent study. A full-time student should expect to undertake 30 additional hours per week during term-time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Students who do not qualify by any of these qualifications may be offered an interview to discuss equivelant qualifications and previous experience.
We accept A Level General Studies and AS levels when combined with other full qualifications.
If English is not your first language, you will require an IELTS score of 6.0 or above or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Mature students or students who do not have the above qualifications can contact our admissions team on 01733 214466 or admissions@ucp.ac.uk to discuss equivalent qualifications or relevant work experience.

EU STUDENTS AND OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS

We can accept a wide range of overseas qualifications and use UK NARIC to compare qualifications. For advice about overseas qualification conversion call the Admissions Office on 01733 214466 or email admissions@ucp.ac.uk.

UCAS TARIFF

To find out more about UCAS tariff points and how they work, visit ucas.com/tariff-calculator.

We accept a wide range of qualifications such as A-levels (you must have grades for at least two A-levels), BTEC, Cambridge Technicals, International Baccalaureate (IB), NVQ Level 3, Access to Higher Education and Scottish Advanced Highers.

The tariff points for qualifications can be added and combined together (e.g. A-levels plus BTECs).

The UCAS points for A-level General Studies, AS-levels and the EQP (Extended Project Qualification) are accepted when combined with other full qualifications.

ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR CERTIFICATED LEARNING (APCL) FOR ENTRY

APCL relates to learning completed through an earlier course of study. If you have previously completed a course which is relevant to your proposed course you should make this clear when you apply. For this to be eligible for consideration you must be able to provide certification, which shows your success in a final assessment for that course. Learning must be completed in the last five years or further evidence of updating will be required. Simple participation in a course or an attendance certificate is not sufficient.

EXEMPTIONS BASED ON ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING (APL)

We offer students flexibility in their studies, by recognising learning they may have completed elsewhere before they apply. The Accreditation of Prior Learning process ensures that we can take this into account when determining the modules you must study. It is important that you identify any relevant prior learning when you apply. If your previous study specifically relates to modules on the course you wish to undertake we may approve a reduced programme of study, thus shortening the time it takes to obtain your award. Where this relates to learning completed through an earlier course of study, this is called Prior Certificated Learning, and where learning has been achieved through relevant work or experience, this is referred to as Prior Experiential Learning. Claims must be approved before you commence a course.

EXEMPTIONS BASED ON ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL CERTIFICATED LEARNING (APEL)

It is important to understand that the APEL process does not award academic credit for experience alone, but for learning which can be shown to have been achieved through that experience. Students are required to prepare an individual case for the credit arising from their learning experiences. This normally means that a student receives support in the preparation of a portfolio, which evidences their claimed exemptions for entry. This portfolio of evidence is then submitted for assessment and the possible award of academic credit. Alternative methods of assessment of evidence may be available but needs to be discussed with the Admissions team or Course Leader.

 

Course information
Ucas Code

F411

Location

Peterborough

Start Date

September

Fees

£8,250 per year. There may be additional costs for this course which are not covered by the tuition fee.

 

Duration

2 years (2 full days a week over two semesters per year)

Validated by

The Open University

Tariff points

64

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Through our collaboration with The Open University, students at University Centre Peterborough benefit from flexible learning options and expertly designed courses that support both part-time and full-time studies, tailored to accommodate diverse student needs.

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