Overview
Study Applied Criminology with Forensic Investigation at Canterbury Christ Church University and explore how science, law, and society connect to solve real-world problems. From crime scene investigation to criminal justice reform, this hands-on course prepares you for a career that makes an impact.
With an emphasis on practical learning, you'll put knowledge into practice in mock crime scenes, analysing evidence and exploring complex issues like mental health, violence, and miscarriages of justice. You'll discover why people commit crime, how the justice system responds, and how forensic science can uncover the truth.
What you'll learn
- Examine real and mock crime scenes using forensic investigation techniques.
- Develop the essential skills to work in multidisciplinary and multiagency environments.
- Understand the science behind evidence and its role in the legal process.
- Learn how to evaluate and improve criminal justice policies.
Taught by experts with industry experience, you'll gain the practical and critical thinking skills needed for roles in policing, forensics, crime prevention, and more. This course will teach you how to become a reflective practitioner and policy makes capable of delivering change.
What's more, you’ll be part of a supportive, inclusive learning community and graduate career-ready with the skills employers are looking for.
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate.
Studying Applied Criminology and Forensic Investigation at CCCU has opened my eyes to a whole new field of learning. Not only are the modules well-structured and thought out, they also simulate the working conditions for everyday life as a CSI.Luke, Applied Criminology and Forensic Investigation student
98%
of our Applied Criminology and Forensic Investigation students were satisfied with the learning resources on their course
National Student Survey 2025Why study Applied Criminology and Forensic Investigation at CCCU?
100%
of our Applied Criminology with Forensic Investigation students were in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course
Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024112
Total Points required
- Select your qualification
- Select your grade
- Add it and repeat
Qualifications:
Grades
Points required: 112
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBC |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access | 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits |
| International Baccalaureate | 29 Points |
The grades in this table provide an indication of what is required to study this course. If you have qualifications that are not present in the table or want to tell us more about you specific situation then please contact our friendly Course Enquiry Team.
Don’t meet these entry requirements?
If you do not meet these entry requirements, a foundation year is a great way of beginning your university journey. We recommend you speak to our Course Enquiries team who will advise on a route to study that fits you.
More information
Contact us
Module information
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate. Alongside the modules below you will choose from our new curriculum that will help you achieve student success, engage with contemporary topics and work with industry or the community.
As well as the core modules, you will also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. This will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module and staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular option module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
Core/optional modules
*Modules subject to approval
How you’ll learn
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops and tutorials and you will typically have contact time of around 14 hours per week, supported by additional online materials. Your actual contact hours depend on the optional modules you select.
Key knowledge is provided through lectures, guided reading and online materials, and this is supported by class activities and discussion, which help you to apply theory to real life scenarios and problems. Some teaching is also delivered through workshops which blend knowledge delivery with discussions or activities, as well as helping with key skills development. Teaching sessions are interactive, allowing you to engage with material on a deeper level. Tutorials are available to provide one-to-one support.
You will have the opportunity to use a range of specialist methods and equipment in our dedicated forensic suite, which includes a range of crime scenes. Here you will develop your practical skills in sessions that are designed according to real life scenarios.
When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you'll have access to a range of resources to help you continue learning through self-study. This typically involves reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments/examinations, workshops and seminars.
Your lecturers will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities, where appropriate, to complete before/after class and they will provide tutorials where necessary to support your learning.
We also recommend that you set up student study groups and support each other with your studies as research shows that we learn much better in communities.
A range of additional study skills and employability workshops are available within the University to help you reach your full academic and career potential.
The teaching team have academic expertise across a range of criminological and forensic investigation issues, including: mental health, crime scene investigation, the history of crime and punishment, biological and chemical evidence, migration and crime, drug related crime and drug treatment, hair and fibre evidence, youth justice and victimology. They are also involved in research activities in these and other areas, and they bring this research expertise into their teaching. Many staff have published in these areas and have practical experience in them too.
Staff use their research expertise to inform teaching, and they provide you with opportunities to be involved with research to help develop you academically and personally.
Our criminology staff and students were central to a pilot of the Bystander Initiative, which aims to support students and staff to identify and prevent sexual harassment, assault and coercive behaviour. The pilot was successful, and a modified version of the initiative is now available university-wide.
More information about our friendly teaching team can be found in the Meet the Team section of our school webpage.
We will work closely with you throughout your degree, guiding and enhancing your learning to ensure that you produce the best possible work, as well as making the subject enjoyable. Our interactive sessions will encourage you to work with us and your peers to develop your understanding and knowledge around crime and criminal justice.Dan Burrows Course Director, Applied Criminology with Forensic Investigation
How you’ll be assessed
Assessments are a core part of the course and each module has 1-3 assessments that contribute to the 4000 word assessment quota. The course is designed to ensure that each assessment is well supported by written guides, study skills sessions and staff guidance and that the course provides you with a range of assessment types to allow you to develop skills that are required in criminal justice and forensic professions.
We also provide opportunities for you to gain formative feedback informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark by providing developmental practice assessments or opportunities to gain feedback on assessment plans.
There are formal or 'summative' assessments during each of the modules and assessment methods include:
- written examinations
- essays,
- reports,
- forensic paperwork,
- forensic statements,
- portfolios,
- oral presentations
- final year major projects.
The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark and feedback is provided to ensure that you can improve future assessments.
Feedback
The team is dedicated to providing high quality feedback on all assessments to enable you to understand what action you need to take to improve your work/marks. We try to ensure that feedback is student focused and constructive. Tutorials also enable you to discuss your work. We aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of hand-in for all assessments and use a range of feedback methods to meet the needs of our students.
Your future career
Through the study of this course you will have the opportunity to gain the core knowledge and skills required for not only many criminal justice careers, but also skills that can be transferred other sectors.
Graduates of the course typically secure posts within:
- The Police
- Forensic Organisations
- The Prison Service
- The Probation Service
- Youth Work
- Medical Laboratories
- Third sector organisations working in crime control and victim support.
Further postgraduate study is also an option and you will be encouraged to make the most of the volunteering and networking opportunities available throughout your degree course in addition to your studies in order to enhance your employability.
We also host an annual Employability Fair where our students can network with experts from a range of fields and careers and gain top tips for progressing to graduate roles.
Throughout your time studying us you will have access to our Careers and Enterprise team who offer a wide range of services and support to help you kick start your career and meet your goals.
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your help and support in my endeavours to do well in Criminology. I have just received a job offer to train as a Probation Service Officer, which I have accepted.Adrian Graduate in Applied Criminology
Related courses
Fees
Tuition Fees for 2026/27 have not yet been finalised. These course web pages will be updated with Tuition Fee information once they have been agreed.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Additional Information
Some of our year two and three modules have prerequisite modules, which you must have studied in a previous year. You will be advised of these when choosing options each year to ensure you make informed choices.
Professional accreditation
The Applied Criminology course adheres to and is guided by the Criminology Benchmark Statements, which define expectations as part of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education.
Industry links
We have a range of external criminal justice professionals and other experts involved in the delivery of the course. We work with them to aid course development in order to ensure our degree is current, accurate and relevant to criminal justice employers.
We actively consult and collaborate with a range of criminal justice and related organisations and these change on a yearly basis, in response to changing operational commitments of these organisations and trends in criminal justice. Collaborations include police forces, the prison service, charities and academics from other higher education institutions.
Specialist facilities
The Criminology team have access to the Canterbury Prison site as this is part of the University estate and our students are able to get involved in research and work in this area. In addition, the staff arrange visits and trips to allow students to experience a range of criminal justice settings where operationally possible.
The forensic facilities include a range of crime scenes, including cars, crime scene rooms, fire scenes and outside scenes and a forensic workshop and range of science laboratories. A wide range of forensic equipment is housed within these areas and the facilities and equipment used depends on whether you study Forensic Investigation as a single or combined honours degree.
We have a dedicated crime scene facility containing eight internal rooms and two outdoor scenes, a forensic workshop, five science laboratories, an incident room, a Hydra simulation centre and facilities to simulate courtroom scenarios, all with relevant equipment attached. One of our teaching rooms is an old courtroom, attached to the former Canterbury Prison.
We use our practical experience to generate realistic and complex scenarios to challenge your mind, your skills and the common misconceptions about crime.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
3 yearsUCAS code:
MF94Location(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
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