BA (Hons) Criminology, Policing and Forensic Investigation

University of West London
Mode of Study

Full time / Part time

 

Medium of Instruction

English

 

Duration
  • Full-time: 3 years
  • Part-time: 4 years
  • Top-up: 1-2 years

 

Programme Leader

Dr. Ernest So

 

Qualifications Framework

Level 5

 

Registration Number

252930

 

Programme Commencement Date

September / February

 

Enquiries

 

Programme Flyers

Download Flyers

 

Application

HKIT Online Application System
Apply Now

 

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Course Description

This course focuses upon key elements involved in the Criminal Justice System – Criminology, Policing and Forensic Investigation. The interdisciplinary field of criminology explores topics such as the study of offenders, victims and the motivations for crime. The policing modules study the powers of the police, how crimes are investigated, the role of police in society and contemporary issues that are associated with the role and actions of law enforcement agencies. The scientific investigation of crime explores the role of science in the investigative process, its accomplishments, complexities and issues affecting justice.

This degree embeds academic, professional and transferrable skills that will equip students for their future careers with dedicated support and opportunities to gain valuable work experience in the wider criminal justice field.

The course utilises both theoretical and practical methods to provide authentic learning experiences such as the investigation of crime scenes, police interviewing and giving evidence in Court.

These key elements provide a valuable and insightful overview of the workings of the justice system and assist in preparing students for the future as well as providing global perspectives and networking opportunities to enable students to experience criminal justice across the globe.

 

 

Course Aims

The aims of the course is to:

  • Equip students with systematic and comprehensive knowledge of criminology, policing and forensic science;
  • Critically explore the roles of criminology in understanding crime and criminal behaviours, police in society and contemporary issues in policing, and forensic science in the investigative process;
  • Provide authentic learning experiences for students to gain practical skills for work in the criminal justice field;
  • Embed transferrable academic and professional skills that equip students for their future careers in the criminal justice field; &
  • Critically engage students in global perspectives to enable students to broaden their knowledge in criminal justice across the globe.

 

 

 

About the University of West London

  • Number 1 London university (non-specialist) - National Student Survey 2023**.

  • University of the Year for Social Inclusion in the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.

  • Best modern* London university (non-specialist) in the Complete University Guide 2024.

  • In the top 30% of universities nationwide in The Guardian University Guide 2024.

  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

  • 80% of our research is rated as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) in the latest Government Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment.

 

For more information about the University of West London, please visit www.uwl.ac.uk.

 

* Modern universities are defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992

** The National Student Survey 2023 and 2022 results are based on the average of all scores in the survey. Number 1 in the UK (excluding specialist institutions) for academic support in 2022.

 

 

 

 

Qualifications Framework

The qualification of this programme is recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF).

QF Level: 5

QR Registration No. :22/000428/L5

Registration Validity Period: 01/09/2019 - 31/08/2025

 

 

 

 

 

Programme Structure

Core courses

Credits

Year 1

Introduction to Criminology

20

Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

20

Introduction to Forensic Investigation

20

Police Powers

20

Imprisonment

20

Introduction to Criminal Law

20

Year 2

Policing and Society

20

Explaining Criminal Behaviour

20

Real World Criminology

20

Criminal and Forensic Investigations

20

Transnational Crime Syndicates

20

Research Crime and Criminal Justice

20

Year 3

Criminology Dissertation

40

Crime Scene Analysis

20

Contemporary Issues in Policing

20

Plus two electives

 

Electives

Victimology

20

Cyber Crime

20

Understanding and Preventing Corruption

20

Critical Perspectives on Terrorism and Counter Terrorism

20

Penology

20

Applied Intelligence Analysis

20

 

 

Duration

Year 1 Entry

Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: 4 years

Year 3 Entry

Top-up: 1-2 years

 

Graduation Requirements

Complete BA (Hons) Degree – 360 Credits.

 

 

 

 

 

Year 1

Tuition fee: $61,000

Eligible for HK$34,390 NMTSS* subsidy.
The tuition fee after deduction of NMTSS* subsidy: $26,610

Year 2

Tuition fee: $78,600

Eligible for HK$34,390 NMTSS* subsidy.
The tuition fee after deduction of NMTSS* subsidy: $44,210

Year 3

Tuition fee: $78,600

Eligible for HK$34,390 NMTSS* subsidy.
The tuition fee after deduction of NMTSS* subsidy: $44,210

 

 

Top Up Student with relevant Associate Degree / Higher Diploma qualifications / other equivalent qualifications

Duration of study: 1 - 1.5 years

Bridging course fee: $10,500***

Tuition fee: $78,600

Eligible for HK$34,390 NMTSS* subsidy.
The tuition fee after deduction of NMTSS* subsidy: $44,210
*** Bridging Course Fees for the September 2024 intake will be $21,000

 

 

 

 

#The tuition fee will be subject to adjustment by annual review.

*For NMTSS subsidy, please refer to "Financial Assistance and Scholarship" section.

 

 

Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme for Self-financing Undergraduate Studies in Hong Kong (NMTSS)

Students who are eligible for the Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme for Self-financing Undergraduate Studies in Hong Kong (NMTSS) will be provided with an annual subsidy up to HK34,390 in the 2024/25 academic year. Eligible students enrolling in the relevant programmes only need to pay the tuition fee net of subsidy. For details, please visit www.cspe.edu.hk/nmtss.

Eligibility for NMTSS:

From the 2024/25 academic year onwards, the annual subsidy for studies is applicable to all Hong Kong students who are enrolled in full-time locally accredited local and non-local self-financing undergraduate (including top-up degree) programmes offered by eligible institutions.

The following students are not eligible for the subsidy :

  1. Non-local students.
  2. Students who already possessed a degree at the Bachelor’s level or above.
  3. Students who are enrolling in any subsidised undergraduate or sub-degree programmes (such as University Grants Committee-funded programmes, subvented programmes of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and subsidised places of the designated programmes under SSSDP).

 

Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP)

FASP provides means-tested financial assistance to needy full-time students pursuing locally-accredited, self-financing post-secondary education programmes at the level of associate degree, higher diploma or degree. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to needy students so that no eligible students will be denied access to post-secondary education because of lack of means.

For details of the schemes, please visit SFO website at: https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/en/postsecondary/fasp/overview.htm

 

The Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS)

The NLSPS is used to complement the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) to provide loan(s) to eligible students to settle tuition fees of locally-accredited, self-financing full-time post-secondary education programmes at the level of associate degree, higher diploma or degree

For details of the schemes, please visit SFO website at: https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/en/postsecondary/nlsps/overview.htm

 

Self-financing post-secondary scholarship scheme (SPSS)

To promote the development of the self-financing post-secondary sector, the Self-financing Post-secondary Scholarship Scheme (SPSS) is set up under the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund to offer scholarships and awards to students pursuing full-time locally-accredited self-financing sub-degree or bachelor's degree (including top-up degree) programmes at non-profit-making education institutions.

For details of the schemes, please visit SPSS website at: https://www.cspe.edu.hk/en/Overview-Measures-Fund-SPSS.html

 

Tax Deduction for Self-Education Expenses

Students of this programme are eligible to apply for tax deductions in relation to the course fees. For details or enquiries please contact 187 8088 or visit the Government website at www.info.gov.hk/ird.

 

 

 

 

Year 1 (Level 4) Entry

Minimum Admission Requirements
HKDSE or equivalent

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE)

  • HKDSE 15 points in five subjects (Level 1 = 1 point and Level 5** = 7 points) with a minimum of Level 3 in English and Mathematics, and no subjects at Level 1; or
  • Qualifications equivalent to the above

 

Remark
  • HKDSE applicants for Year 1 entry are allowed to use not more than two Applied Learning subjects in their applications.
  • Students with Level 2 in any one of the 5 subjects, e.g. Mathematics, will be considered as special entry and offered a place subject to a satisfactory interview for admission and sign off by UWL.
  • The home institution will assess the equivalent qualifications on a case by case basis.

 

English Proficiency Requirement
  • HKDSE Level 3 or above in English Language, or
  • IELTS (Academic) at 6.0 with no individual skill score below 5.5

 

 

 

Year 3 (Level 6) Entry

Minimum Admission Requirements
  • Holders of an Associate Degree / Higher Diploma at HKQF Level 4 in a relevant discipline from recognised local educational institutions, or
  • Equivalent qualifications

 

Remark

Completion of an adequate number of relevant modules in related areas during the study for the qualification as noted above so that the applicant is eligible to apply for exemption that amounts to the first two years of study of the programme; if the applicants’ completed modules do not amount to the exemption of the first two years of study of the programme, applicants must take bridging modules, which are comparable with those in University of West London’s first two years’ of modules in terms of curriculum content, level and volume of study before admission to Year 3

 

English Proficiency Requirement
  • Previous qualifications used to gain admission to the programme was / were taught and assessed in English, or
  • IELTS (Academic) at 6.0 with no individual skill score below 5.5

 

 

 

Arrangements for Recognition of Prior Learning

  • Applicants aged 21 or above prior to the commencement of the programme, subject to the prior learning requirements by UWL, or
  • Applicants may enter the programme at various levels with Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) in accordance with the University General Regulations

 

 

 

 

Application Period

Starting from 2 months before commencement of semester September, February

 

Application Procedure

Complete the Online Application form

Applicants will be required to submit/upload the following documents:

  • Photocopy of your Hong Kong Identity Card
  • Photocopy of all supporting documents for your application

Remarks:

  • Successful applicants should present originals of the above documents for verification during the admission interview/registration.

 

 

 

It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognize any qualification to which this course may lead.
個別僱主可酌情決定是否承認本課程可令學員獲取的任何資格.