Forensic & Criminal Investigation

Course Overview

This is a course ideally suited to anyone aiming to pursue a career with forensic psychology, criminology, policing, forensic science or criminal investigation.

Study areas include criminology, forensic and criminal psychology, policing, fire investigation, road traffic investigation, forensic anthropology and scientific techniques.

You will develop the analytical, evaluative, practical and interpretation skills to progress to university or work within forensic and criminal investigative fields. Potential university degrees include Criminology, Forensic Psychology, Fire Investigation, Policing, Criminal Investigation, Forensic Anthropology, Offender Profiling and many more.

This course usually takes place over 3 days per week for two years. You will complete the National Foundation Diploma in the first year and the National Extended Diploma in the second year. The two-year course is equivalent to 3 A-Levels and is worth up to 168 UCAS points (Triple Distinction*) or 144 UCAS points (Triple Distinction). UCAS have recently changed the UCAS Tariff from September 2017 so they could include more qualifications. The new Tariff points are lower than the original Tariff points but the value remains the same, as universities will just use lower Tariff numbers in their entry requirements than in previous years.

All of our learners will be given support with their English and Maths skills where relevant to their main course. Those students who have not yet achieved a Grade 4 (or C) at GCSE in these subjects will continue to work towards these important qualifications at a level suited to them. However, students will still have to achieve the stated Entry Requirements before they start the course.

The course aims to prepare learners for careers within criminal investigation, psychology, criminology, policing and forensic science, so learners must be prepared to study to a high level and conduct practical forensic investigation.

There will be emphasis on analysing and interpreting data in the context of criminal investigations, where the focus will be on objectivity. Learners will develop their observational skills and develop fundamental study skills relating to the industry, including crime scene, policing, criminological and psychological skills.

Finally, learners will develop their literacy and numeracy skills, through analysis and report writing to prepare them for work in the legal field.

There are a variety of assessment methods including: coursework, practical experiments, essays, scientific reports, presentations, externally assessed work and exams. Learners will be supported to prepare for all exams and externally assessed work.