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Crime with Forensic Investigation BSc(Hons)

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Start Dates

21 September 2026

Duration

3 years full-time

UCAS Tariff

112-104

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About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • We’re ranked top 5 for Criminology in Yorkshire and the Humber (Guardian League Tables, 2026)
  • Gain valuable work experience, applying your skills in a real-world setting.
  • Learn from expert lecturers with real-world experience and guest speakers, including senior police officers and crime analysts.

Crime and forensic science are closely intertwined, shaping how we investigate, understand, and respond to criminal activity. A strong foundation in forensic investigation is essential for tackling crime effectively and ensuring justice is served.

Our Crime with Forensic Investigation BSc (Hons) degree offers a unique opportunity to explore crime through the lens of forensic science, examining how forensic techniques and criminal investigation contribute to the justice system. You will gain insight into key areas such as forensic evidence, criminal investigation, violent crime, and the role of forensic professionals in law enforcement and legal proceedings.

Why study Crime with Forensic Investigation BSc(Hons)

We’ve ranked top 5 for Criminology in Yorkshire and the Humber in the Guardian League Tables 2026. We’ve also ranked in the top third of UK universities for Criminology in The Times Good University Guide 2026.

This course equips you with the knowledge and practical skills needed for a career in forensic and criminal investigation. You’ll explore the role of forensic science in solving crimes and learn how forensic evidence is used in prosecutions. You’ll also delve into the wider justice system, looking at how forensic professionals collaborate with the police and other agencies to bring offenders to justice.

Our lecturers bring a wealth of experience from diverse backgrounds, including former senior investigating officers who have led major criminal cases, specialist forensic scientists, and leading academic researchers. They are dedicated to providing an inclusive, immersive, and supportive learning environment to help you reach your full potential. You’ll also hear from guest speakers, including professionals working in forensic science, law enforcement, and criminal justice.

You’ll develop essential employability skills such as digital literacy, forensic analysis, laboratory techniques, data interpretation, critical thinking, and professional communication. The course is designed to prepare you for real-world challenges, with assessments that mirror practical forensic tasks. In your second year, you’ll engage in work experience or volunteering, gaining hands-on insights into relevant career pathways. You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake independent research on a topic you are passionate about, guided by our expert tutors.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Psychology and Crime Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree or our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree.

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

BBC-BCC at A Level.
112-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.
DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Pass (C grade on core) at T Level.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

In addition you must have GCSE Science (Chemistry, Physics, Biology or dual award Science) at grade 4 or above, grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or equivalent qualification.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Psychology and Crime Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree or our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree.

You may be eligible to gain accreditation for your prior learning towards this course.

We are keen to support a wide and diverse range of applicants on to our courses. Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum of IELTS 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

What will you learn?

Course Details

This module explores the nature of crime and deviancy, the main perspectives in explaining criminal behaviour, and the structures of the criminal justice system. You’ll start by examining the definitions of crime, followed by an exploration of the criminal legal system including the key criminal offences and defences. You’ll then be introduced to the key agencies within the criminal justice system, which include the Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Courts, and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service. The second half of this module introduces the key theoretical explanations for criminality, ranging from psychological explanations to sociological explanations.

This module guides you through the process of exploring social science subjects at university and provides the opportunity for you to develop your ability to be a successful student. You’ll have the opportunity to strengthen your academic study skills, as well as your knowledge of research approaches and methods, using subject-specific topics and case studies. You’ll explore ways to assess your learning needs, set learning goals, develop learning action plans and produce effective academic assignments. You’ll also be introduced to the philosophies, methods and ethics of social research processes.

The module will introduce you to the purpose, responsibilities, and standards of the modern police service. Principles of policing in England and Wales; fairness and equality are part of the change towards professionalisation. Concepts in policing such as ‘policing by consent’ and ‘legitimacy’ rely on public cooperation for officers to carry out their role. This module encourages you to consider an evidenced-based approach.

This module introduces you to the fundamental skills and knowledge required for the analysis of forensic data, providing a foundation for laboratory work and data interpretation in forensic science. You will gain practical experience in laboratory techniques, with an emphasis on the importance of health and safety protocols in forensic environments. The module begins by exploring the role and types of physical evidence in forensic science, focusing on the classification of evidence into class and individual characteristics and the methods used to examine it. You will develop an understanding of how measurements are utilised in forensic science to produce reliable data. Through practical sessions and case studies, you will learn to apply statistical analysis to real-world forensic scenarios, understanding how data analysis contributes to solving cases. By the end of the module, you will have developed critical skills in evidence analysis, statistical reasoning, and data handling, forming a solid basis for further study in forensic science.

In this module you’ll consider the ways in which good policing practice and investigation is informed by research. You’ll explore the concepts of evidence-based policing and crime science before applying these to, firstly, key approaches in policing and investigation, such as securing eye witness testimony and interviewing techniques, officer deployment and offender targeting, crime reduction and self-selection policing. You’ll then learn about and have the opportunity to apply key techniques of crime analysis, such as offence series identification, offender network charts and crime mapping.

In this module you’ll explore these questions and study qualitative and quantitative research approaches. You’ll explore philosophical underpinnings of social research, key considerations concerning research ethics and researcher reflexivity, a range of data collection methods and techniques for data analysis, and how social research can be evaluated.

You’ll have the opportunity to plan and complete a practical work based experience related to your course. This will give you the chance to apply your theoretical subject knowledge to a professional setting, helping to develop your employability skills in preparation for your future career.

This module introduces you to the forensic process, with a focus on crime scene investigation. You will take part in virtual, simulated and staged crime scenes where you will learn essential topics such as crime scene documentation, packaging and labelling of evidence. The module includes a variety of practical sessions where you will apply forensic techniques, including presumptive tests, microscopy, fingerprinting, drug analysis, forensic entomology, and bloodstain pattern analysis. You will also explore various types of trace evidence and the analytical techniques used to investigate them. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience, you will develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for successful forensic investigations.

Choose one optional module from a list which may include:

You’ll study the history of police and policing in England and Wales and critically consider different styles and approaches to policing, with particular reference to globalisation and police legitimacy. You’ll further explore these issues by discussing approaches in other countries, cross-border and international policing.

You'll explore the nature, variety and extent of violent crime and its prevention (for example terrorism, homicide, work-placed bullying, and stalking). You'll demonstrate your knowledge of theoretical explanations for violent crime and violence prevention methods.

This module explores the strategies of crime reduction and prevention. You’ll explore a range of different reduction responses and investigate the evidence regarding their effectiveness in different situations. You’ll also consider explanations for the different ways that society responds to crime, setting these in a social, political and theoretical context.

You’ll explore two aspects of organised crime. Firstly, you'll study white-collar, financial crimes and the damaging impact that they can have on the economy of a country. Secondly you’ll examine how organised crime can drive people trafficking and trading of drugs and illegal arms, which enables ‘rogue’ states to wage war on their own people. Finally you‘ll explore how both kinds of crime relate to your own life.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

You'll research a topic of your choice in depth, giving you the opportunity to develop your own research interests. Drawing on the area you have chosen to study, you'll engage with issues of project design and research methods. You'll discuss your project proposal in a presentation and produce a dissertation about your research topic. Throughout you will be supported by one-to-one supervision.

You’ll explore modern police investigation practice in relation to serious crime, including the contribution of forensic science, offender profiling, surveillance data and new technologies. You’ll consider how current research into serious crime, such as homicide, terrorism and sexual offences, informs practice and police decision making, as well as how investigations and major enquiry management have become increasingly professionalised.

The relationship between the forensic scientist and the justice system will be explored with a view to addressing aspects of criminal and civil law. Aspects of presentation of evidence as well as the role and responsibility of the expert witness will also be explored. The requirements of quality systems will be considered within context of presenting robust evidence; as well as the considerations of ethical practice. Quality Assurance procedures and importance of standard operating procedures in relation to accreditation will be explored (i.e. ISO17020 and ISO17025).

This module offers you the opportunity to explore key contemporary challenges to the nature and practice of policing and security. You’ll be enabled to consider the impact of social change on policing in a variety of ways including, for example: policing of new and emerging crimes; the impact of technological developments on the commission and investigation of crime; policing within the context of globalisation, marketisation, managerialism, risk and multi-culturalism; and threats to national and public security.

You will also choose 1 optional module in this year. The current optional modules are:

In this module you'll be supported to develop your knowledge of the relationship between mental illness and criminal activity. You'll explore a range of mental illnesses and disorders as a cause of offending and have the opportunity to consider the links between theory and practice.

You'll be encouraged to critically consider contemporary and newly emerging issues and debates within criminology. You'll be introduced to the field of comparative criminology by exploring key criminological problems in England and Wales within the context of historical and international comparisons of crime patterns and trends, criminal justice policy, practice and theoretical developments. Example topics include prostitution, the illegal trade in endangered species, management of sex offenders, cyber crime and people trafficking.

This module studies the key approaches, concepts and issues within the field of forensic psychology through a series of lectures and online facilities. You'll explore a range of psychological explanations for criminal activity relating to two main themes. Firstly, you'll critically consider various research areas within forensic psychology including prison treatment programmes, eyewitness and expert testimony, investigative interviews, crime and mentally disordered offenders. Secondly, you'll study a range of crimes such as murder, sexual crimes, arson, acquisitive and white collar crime.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

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Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you’ll study the award-winning Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* — so you’re ready for the career you want, whatever subject you choose.

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Interested in a placement?

Placements

This course includes compulsory work experience in the second year. You'll be expected to undertake at least 30 hours of work experience relevant to your course during that year. You’ll be supported to find and obtain experience or longer-term volunteering that will boost your confidence, enhance your employability skills and support your personal development.

Your work and careers module tutor, as well as your personal academic tutor, will be on hand to support you in finding suitable work opportunities relevant to your course and career aspirations. They’ll also be in contact with you during your work experience so that you’ll be fully supported while you gain the skills that employers’ value so highly.

Examples of previous work experiences in the subject area have included:

  • Police special constable
  • Appropriate adult for individuals who have been arrested
  • Youth offending teams
  • Organisations supporting offenders upon release
  • Restorative justice
  • Witness support
  • Local Authority anti-social behaviour units
I gained valuable experience calling vulnerable individuals in West Yorkshire, assessing their needs, and reporting any safeguarding issues so that support could be provided. Assessing individuals' needs and referring them to services will benefit my career as a Probation Officer.

- Lauren Bradshaw
Graduated from Criminology BSc(Hons), now Trainee Probation Officer at NPS Salford

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

Graduates of criminology and policing courses may go on to wide variety of carers, including in the police as warranted officers, civilian investigators, evidence officers and crime analysts. Other career pathways could include probation or probation services officers, prison officers, Local Authority units such as anti-social behaviour unit, homelessness and housing officers, drugs and mental health workers. The forensic specialism of this course will also prepare you for work within forensic roles in the police where you do not require a pure forensic science degree. Graduates also go into further study or training as teachers, social workers or in psychology, as well as criminal justice.

80-92%
Graduates from this subject were in work or further study 15 months after graduation

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 21/22, UK Domiciled

I have gained a wide range of knowledge and theory behind the organisations and roles within the Criminal Justice System, as well as a critical understanding of theories of crime and offending. This helped me gain a job within the police, where I am able to utilise my learnings and transferrable skills from studying the course.

- Laura Coupland
Graduated Criminology BSc(Hons), now working as a Contact Officer for West Yorkshire Police

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£9,790 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

£17,600 per year

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/

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We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

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If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

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What does the univsersity offer?

Gallery

Students deliberating guilt following a live trial.

Simulated trial in our on-campus Mock Court Room

Students undertaking a crime prevention survey using virtual reality.

Crime prevention activity using Virtual Reality

Forensic Science student investigating a crime scene

Student investigating a crime scene

Forensic Science Laboratory

Forensic Science laboratory

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Student story

Chloe describes how she enjoys listening to her tutors' real-life experiences of working in Probation and Policing, and how her course enabled her to debate and express her own opinions, inspiring her new ambition to study a Masters' in Human Rights.

Criminology at Huddersfield

Subject Leader Carla Reeves tells the story of how her interest in crime fiction lead her to a career in Criminology research and teaching at the University of Huddersfield

Headshot of Sophie Bourne.

Student profile

Read about how Phoebe chose Professional Policing BSc(Hons) at Huddersfield because the lecturers take time to het to know you personally, and how she values the support offered by the dedicated Academic Skills Team.

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Why Hud

Explore the unique opportunities and resources that make our institution a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and future-focused education.

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Explore Huddersfield

Make Huddersfield your home. A Yorkshire town, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with easy access to neighbouring cities; Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. You’ll find plenty of places to eat, drink, shop and socialise, there’s ambitious plans for future development. Our campus is situated next to the town centre - making your commute a breeze.

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Your Student Experience

Get involved in great opportunities helping you to make friends from all across the world and create lifelong memories. Join one of over 100 societies with the Students’ Union, experience new cultures through global events, earn whilst you learn and build your skills via our Global Professional Award.

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Budget Friendly

Huddersfield is not only one of the friendliest towns, it also offers you a lower cost of living than most big cities. This means you could have more money to spend, making your uni experience even better. On campus you’ll also find plenty of facilities and services to help you budget and make your money go further.

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Sustainability Matters

We’re committed to sustainability and aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. Our plan includes reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and improving wellbeing through sustainable buildings. We’re investing in digital solutions, low-impact travel, and embedding sustainability into teaching and research, investing over £1m in carbon reduction.

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Committed to Your Future

Since 2015, we’ve invested £198 million to create spaces where you can learn, collaborate and thrive. We’re continuously investing in our campus with your wellbeing in mind—adding features that make our buildings healthier, more supportive and better places for you to succeed.

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Careers support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

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Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you’ll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you’ll soon discover that you’re never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.

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Teaching Excellence

Great teaching is engaging and inspiring — it helps you reach your full potential and prepares you for the future. We don’t just teach well — we excel — and we have the awards and recognition to prove it.

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Inspiring Academics

Our researchers carry out world-leading work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Staff within the Department of Social and Psychological Sciences may teach you on this course.

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Research Excellence

You’ll be taught by staff who want to support your learning and share the latest knowledge and research.

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Accommodation

Looking for student accommodation? Huddersfield has you covered. HudLets has a variety of accommodation types to choose from, no matter what your preference. HudLets is the University’s approved accommodation service, run by Huddersfield Students’ Union.

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Further Study

If you want to continue your learning beyond your undergraduate degree, there is a range of financial support available for postgraduate study, including discounts for Huddersfield graduates.

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Legal information

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons:

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and if you are unhappy with the change we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff being unable to teach due to illness, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will consult with affected groups of students and any changes would only be made in accordance with our regulations. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you let us know before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for any additional tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so and you may be eligible for an exit award depending on how far through your course you are.

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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