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).

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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 HK35,120 in the 2025/26 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 2025/26 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

 

 

Year 3 (Level 6) Entry

 

 

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.