BA Professional Policing
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 104 A level: Minimum three A levels to include grades CCC. No specific subjects required. Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject. BTEC/Cambridge Technical: MMM IB: No specific subjects required.
About this course
BA (Hons) in Law, with a focus on professional policing. Core topics include research methods, project management, critical and analytical thinking, and ethics and professional practice. The programme is licensed by the College of Policing and aligned with the national policing curriculum for entry into the police service. Practical learning takes place in a dedicated Crime House and Moot Courtroom.
Modules
- Law Enforcement: Key Police Powers This module introduces you to the key legal powers used in frontline policing. It explores the foundations of police authority, including stop and search, arrest, and detention, within the context of human rights and proportionality.
- Exploring Policing: Roles & Responsibilities You will examine the evolution of policing in the UK and explore the diverse roles and responsibilities of police constables today. The module promotes an understanding of professionalism, discretion, and legitimacy in the police service.
- Academic Skills for Policing This module supports you in developing core academic and digital skills required for success in higher education. It also introduces the principles of evidence-based policing, reflective practice, and personal development planning.
- Policing, Prosecution & the Criminal Justice System You will gain insight into the structure and function of the criminal justice system. This includes the role of the police in investigation, prosecution, and case file preparation, and the interplay between legal frameworks and operational practice.
- Understanding Criminal Investigations This module introduces the investigative process, covering key principles such as securing evidence, investigative mindsets, and the golden hour. You will learn how to apply theory to practical investigative scenarios.
- Applied Criminology During this module you will engage with criminological theories and apply them to policing scenarios. The module promotes an understanding of crime causation, prevention, and the relevance of criminological thinking to effective problem-solving in policing.
- Law Enforcement: Core Offences This module develops your understanding of key offences under criminal law, including assault, theft, drug offences and public order. It explores how legislation is applied in practice through arrest, charge, and evidence gathering.
- Urban, Rural & Wildlife Policing This module explores the principles and practice of community policing across a range of environments. You will examine how policing strategies are adapted to meet the needs of urban, rural, and coastal communities. The module includes a focus on building public trust, engaging with diverse communities, problem-solving partnerships, and tackling issues such as rural isolation and wildlife crime.
- Policing Across Borders and Beyond This module examines cross-border and international policing, including organised crime, trafficking, and the role of international bodies such as INTERPOL and Europol. You will explore global threats and collaborative responses.
- Vulnerability in Policing Practice Focusing on complex vulnerability, this module enables you to identify, assess and manage risk in relation to safeguarding, domestic abuse, mental health, and child protection. It promotes interagency working and trauma-informed practice.
- Criminal Evidence & Intelligence Gathering In this module you will develop an understanding of how information, intelligence, and criminal evidence support operational policing. This includes managing covert and overt sources, evidential rules, and ethical considerations in intelligence-led investigations. The module also covers forensic evidence gathering techniques, crime scene management, and the role of forensic science in building robust investigative cases.
- Evidence-Based Policing (EBP) This module builds on earlier research skills and explores how evidence-based approaches influence policing practice. You will learn to critically appraise research and begin designing their own small-scale projects relevant to policing.
- Dissertation You will undertake a significant piece of independent research on a topic related to policing. The module supports project planning, literature review, data collection, and critical analysis, culminating in a written dissertation. You also have the option to undertake a project involving volunteering experience, integrating practical insights with academic research.
- Policing Violent & Sexual Crime This module explores serious and sensitive crime types, including domestic abuse, rape, and violence against women and girls (VAWG). It examines investigative approaches, safeguarding, and multi-agency working in these high-risk areas.
- Investigating Homicide and Major Crime In this module you will study the structure and operation of major crime investigations, including homicide. The module introduces complex investigation strategies, the role of the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), and decision-making under pressure.
- Cops, Corruption, and Ethical Policing This module critically explores issues of police misconduct, corruption, and organisational culture. You will examine how ethical leadership and professional standards can help build public trust and reform practice.
- Leadership & Professional Practice Designed to prepare you at the culmination of your degree for transition into police training, this module focuses on leadership in policing by examining operational and strategic leadership models, supervision, and the challenges of leading in diverse and high-pressure environments. It also addresses continuing professional development and ethical decision-making essential for effective policing practice.
- Policing context and professionalism
- Law and legal frameworks
- Operational policing skills
- Investigation and evidence gathering
- Community and partnership working
- Leadership and decision making
- Health, wellbeing and resilience
- Use of technology and digital policing