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.
Entry Requirements
5 GCSEs grade 4 or above (old grade C), including English, Maths and Science.
Discuss your individual grades or predictions with our dedicated staff at one of our Open Evenings or at interview.
NB: Enrolment on this course is dependent on meeting the Entry Requirements stated above.
After Your Course
Many of our Forensic and Criminal Investigation learners progress to university or Higher Level study and undertake an Honours degree within Criminology, Policing, Forensic Psychology, Psychology, Criminal Investigation (with CSI) or Forensic Anthropology, amongst many others.
Following university or higher study, learners could progress into careers working with offenders, or within probation services, the police force, special task forces, criminology, major crime, bones or forensic science.
Former learners are working as a Fraud Investigator, Sergeant in the police force, working with serious offenders, criminal profiling and much more.
Fees
£2882.00
The fee displayed is the course fee. Course fees are per year for full-time courses and per course for part-time courses.
There may be other costs associated with this course, e.g. kit, equipment, books, trips etc. Financial support may be available to support you with these. See the Student Money pages for more information.
Courses Fees
The current full-time & degree-level fee information is related to the 2023/24 academic year.
Level 3-6 Courses
Advanced Learning Loans are available for students aged 19 or over and studying eligible level 3, 4, 5 & 6 courses. If you are on an Access course, the loan will be written off if you complete a degree.
You may qualify for financial support to cover the cost of a Level 3 qualification if you do not already have a Level 3 qualification (this will depend on the course & your age on 31/08/23).
Please speak to Student Services for more information on course fees.
A-Levels
The fees displayed are for the one-year AS-Level course. If you would like to progress onto the full A-Level, please get in touch with us for the cost of the second year, as it will be different.
16-18 year olds
There are no course fees if you were aged 16-18 on 31/08/23 and are not studying at another institution.