Criminal Investigation

University of Central Lancashire
Postgraduate MSc Full-time 1 Year LawPolicing

About this course

Our MSc Criminal Investigation course is designed to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge you’ll need to become a professional crime investigator, or someone who’s responsible for managing serious and complex cases.

This programme is also available as an online distance learning course, which provides high quality learning and teaching combined with flexible study. The award can be completed part-time in 2-3 years, depending on the number of modules taken each year.

  • How to you go about solving a complex murder case? Or conducting a fraud investigation?

  • On this course you’ll develop the advanced skills and techniques you’ll need to apply when conducting a criminal investigation, including research methods, presenting information, solving problems and working independently or as part of an investigative team.

  • You’ll discover how to use develop and use the critical thinking and analytical skills required to lead teams of detectives and crime scene investigators in the investigation of serious and complex cases. With the guidance of experienced senior investigating officers and academics you will develop your competence in solving complex problems, giving you the confidence to design, plan and implement solutions to problems in major criminal investigations and be capable of analysing the potential effectiveness of such solutions.

  • You’ll also get insights into the very latest methods in criminal investigation – from exposing international human trafficking networks to managing homicide scenes.
  • Study Options

    This course is available in 4 study options:

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 1 Year

    Qualification: MSc

    Location: Preston

    Part-time

    Duration: 2 Years

    Qualification: MSc

    Location: Preston

    Distance learning (full-time)

    Duration: 1 Year

    Qualification: MSc

    Location: Preston

    Distance learning (part-time)

    Duration: 2 Years

    Qualification: MSc

    Location: Preston

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    1162 Senior police officers
    1172 Social services managers and directors
    3314 Prison service officers (below principal officer)
    3312 Police officers (sergeant and below)
    6311 Police community support officers
    1163 Senior officers in fire, ambulance, prison and related services

    Course Details

    Qualification
    MSc
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    1 Year
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    Preston
    Scheme
    Postgraduate
    Subjects
    Law, Policing