Our Policing and Criminology course allows you the opportunity to study a subject which is applied, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to become a reflective police officer or take on a broader criminal justice role.

The course draws on social sciences, law, computing and business modules, and aims to give you an understanding of a discipline that is evolving theoretically and methodologically. It links theory to practice and seeks to apply learning in the field. You will also have a range of inputs from practitioners throughout the course.

The course was developed with discussion and input from Police Scotland.

In second year, students do have the option of undertaking 'Volunteering and Employability'. This can include an element of work placement.

Edinburgh Napier University is also the home of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research, a consortium of 13 Scottish universities, Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

Start date:

UCAS code:

Placement:

Study Abroad:

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Thinking about a career in the Police?

Find out the benefits of studying a degree in policing and criminology before joining the service

How to apply

A key aim of the course is to give you the competitive edge to go on and become a police officer, should you wish. Although there are no direct routes into the police from this BSc, the programme will link with the Special Constabulary (volunteer police officers) and will have input from Police Scotland, including in the lecture content, the honours project and in placements.

Beyond the police, this course will give you an understanding of the criminal justice system, criminal and deviant behaviour and the broader social, cultural and historical foundations of contemporary criminology. You will also develop a range of research skills, which will be invaluable in developing your understanding of a wide range of social science issues throughout your career.

Additionally our social sciences team (including Criminology, Social Sciences and Policing) have an active Instagram account where we post about our activities in research, teaching, and honours projects.

How you’ll be taught

Lectures, tutorials, independent study

Assessments

Ongoing assessments, coursework and exams

Work placement

The Volunteering and Employability module in year two will be where the students are encouraged to become a Special Constable. This can include an element of work placement.

Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.

Study abroad

As part of this course, students have the option to apply to Study Abroad in Year 3, either for one term or for the full academic year. We have direct partner exchanges with many universities in different parts of the world - universities in Australia, Canada and the USA are particularly popular with our students. Students can also apply to Study Abroad via the ISEP (International Student Exchange Programme). Full information and support for students to apply is provided in Year 2.

“Studying abroad in Australia has been a journey I will never forget. Immersed in a new culture, I have been confronted with new cultural norms and practices, developing a unique insight into policing. Being in unfamiliar grounds has encouraged me to embrace various opportunities such as creating new friendships, trying out new sports, and even exploring the wider country. By studying abroad, you develop not just a deeper cultural and academic insight but also create memories to last.” Studied abroad for Trimester 1, 2023-24

Facilities

This course is taught in person at our Sighthill campus.

Popular modules

Introduction to Sociology 1

Understanding social science research

Introduction to Criminology

Introduction to policing: theory and practice

With optional modules in:

Criminal Law

Computer Systems 1

Scottish Legal System

Intercultural Organisational Management

Contemporary Challenges in Psychology

Behavioural Studies

Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems in the UK

Policing in contemporary society

Quantitative Research

Youth, Crime & Deviance

Criminological Theory

Optional modules:

Volunteering and Employability

Business and Management Challenges

Digital Forensics

Crime Control and Policing

Violence & Society

Researching Social Sciences

Punishment and Penology

Option modules:

Law and Evidence

Understanding Cybercrime

Public Health and Criminal Justice

Race and Decolonial Theory

History of Crime Correction and Reform

Law and Society

Sexuality and Gender

Preparing for the Honours Project

Comp and International Criminology

The Honours Project (40 credits)

Victimisation & Victimology

Leadership in a changing environment

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

English language

International students

Admissions policies

What are the entry requirements for Policing and Criminology?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

Scottish Higher

Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB preferably including English or Literary subject*. If no literary subject has been achieved at Higher, we will consider applications where National 5 English has been achieved at grade B or above.

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BBCC preferably including English or Literary subject*. If no literary subject has been achieved at Higher, we will consider applications where National 5 English has been achieved at grade B or above.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies

BCC preferably including English or Literary subject*. If no literary subject has been achieved at A level, we will consider applications where GCSE English has been achieved at grade B/5 or above.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Grades H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level preferably including English or a Literary subject*. If no literary subject is achieved at Higher Level, English must be achieved at grade O3 or above.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) preferably in a related subject. If not in a related subject, we will consider applications where GCSE English has been achieved at grade B/5 or above.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 preferably including English or a Literary subject* at minimum grade 5. If no literary subject is achieved at HL, English must be achieved at SL grade 5.

Pass in preferably Social Sciences/Police Studies/Legal Services with grade C in the Graded Unit.

Other literary based HNC subjects may be considered

If the literary criteria has not been achieved at HNC, we will consider applications where National 5 English has been achieved at grade B or above.

T Level preferably completed in a Literary subject. If not, GCSE English must be achieved at grade B/5 or above. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.

*Literary subjects accepted: Literary Subjects: Modern Studies, History, Psychology, RMPS, Latin, Sociology, Theology, Politics, Classics, Philosophy, Geography, Higher ESOL, A Level Government and Politics, A Level Classical Civilisation.

HNC in Police Studies with grade B in the Graded Unit.*

*We may be able to consider for advanced entry but this will depend on whether places available

HND in Police Studies with grades BB in all SCQF Level 8 Graded Units.*

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:

BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery

MSc Nursing courses

All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study.

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies

Postgraduate admissions policies

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Undergraduate student fees and funding information

Postgraduate student fees and funding information

International student fees and funding information

Tuition fees

Students from

Scotland

England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland

Overseas and EU

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.

Careers & employability

What can you do with a policing and criminology degree?

By studying policing and criminology at Edinburgh Napier University, you will gain relevant practical and academic knowledge and skillsets, equipping you for a career in policing and the criminal justice sector. By the end of the course, you will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You will also have developed well rounded research and, critical analysis skills. You will have developed the ability to operationalise these skills independently taking initiative as well as a member and leader of a team. Careers you may typically pursue include a pathway in policing (e.g. constabulary, national services, the private sector), the prison service, the third sector, or civil service. If you have an interest in social science, the criminal justice sector and policing, and want to pursue a career in police practice, police research, or policing policy development then this might be the right course for you.

What does a police officer do?

A police officer’s main role is to maintain order within the communities they work in, whilst carrying out area patrols, responding to emergencies and making arrests, as well as investigating criminal activities that have taken place. Policing increasingly involves dealing with public health and social challenges including physical and mental health. You may also be involved in public outreach campaigns within local communities, such as talking to schools, local businesses. You will have excellent oral, written and aural communication skills. You will be empathetic and compassionate. You will demonstrate effective decision-making skills meet the required fitness standard. You will hold a full UK manual driving licence.

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