Policing and Investigation

Policing and investigation is a degree that gives you a thorough grounding in the principles, practices, and contexts of policing and criminal investigation, combining academic study of law, criminology, psychology, and research methods with practical knowledge of investigative procedures, evidence, and the legal and ethical frameworks within which police work is conducted. It is relevant both to those who are already working in policing or related fields and to those who aspire to begin careers in law enforcement, investigation, or criminal justice.

At the University of Portsmouth, this part-time distance learning degree is designed to be studied around your other commitments, from anywhere that suits you, as the course describes. The distance learning format makes it accessible to serving police officers, police staff, and others in criminal justice roles who want to develop their knowledge and qualifications while continuing to work. You will engage with criminological theory, investigative practice, legal frameworks, research methods, and the practical dimensions of policing and investigation through online study, building your understanding at a pace that fits your professional and personal schedule.

Graduates in policing and investigation go on to work in police forces, law enforcement agencies, investigative roles in the public and private sectors, fraud investigation, border control, immigration, probation, and intelligence. For those already in policing, the degree supports progression into more specialist or senior roles, and the knowledge it develops is directly relevant to investigative and analytical work within criminal justice. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in criminology, law, or security studies, deepening their expertise for specialist professional or research careers.