Applied Criminology with Criminal Investigation with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

**Studying Applied Criminology with Criminal Investigation at CCCU involves exploring answers to some of society’s biggest questions. Our course provides you with a thorough understanding of the theories, methods, and practices involved in studying crime and conducting criminal investigations. You’ll benefit from over twenty-five years’ experience of police education, CCCU was the first university to provide a detective education program**me.<br/><br/>Our innovative and interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on the intersections between crime, justice and society, enabling you to understand the importance of cooperation and communication between agencies within criminal justice. You will also learn about the impact of social problems and structures. It will equip you with a strong foundation in criminological theories and a critical understanding of criminal justice processes.<br/><br/>You’ll explore who commits crime and why, learn how the criminal justice system treats victims and why the law criminalises some harmful behaviours but not others. Our emphasis on learning through experience will enable you to practice investigative interviewing and ethical decision making. However you’ll also analyse aspects of police investigations from a range of perspectives. Our applied focus builds key skills, preparing you for a wide range of careers in criminal justice and beyond and enabling you to become skilled practitioners capable of working effectively in multidisciplinary and multiagency environments.<br/><br/>**Professional accreditation**<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>**Specialist facilities**<br/><br/>Our Hydra Suite offers students, staff and other professionals the chance to take part in immersive simulations of real-life natural decision-making. This innovative system is among the most cutting-edge of its kind, and is used to train practitioners working within fields such as criminal justice, government, and the emergency services.<br/><br/>**Location**<br/><br/>This course is run at our Canterbury Campus in Kent. Canterbury is just 50 miles south-east of London and less than an hour by high-speed train from St Pancras. Located on a UNESCO World Heritage Site the campus offers state-of-the-art buildings, right in the centre of a vibrant and world-famous cathedral city. You’ll benefit from a campus with excellent learning and teaching resources, music venues, a superb sports centre, a well-stocked bookshop and plenty of coffee bars and places to eat. A short walk away is Augustine House our award-winning library and home to a vast range of learning resources and student support teams.

University isn't just an education, it's the start of your career. At Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), you'll get to explore a number of exciting career paths, whatever you study.<br/><br/>CCCU is ranked top 5 UK university for employability (Uni Compare Rankings 2026), highlighting its excellent student careers and employability support. The university is home to career-relevant courses and industry-standard facilities. For example, film students can showcase their creativity in the fully equipped film/TV studio, forensics students can test their observational abilities in mock crime scenes, and nursing students can practice their skills in simulated hospital wards.<br/><br/>With a campus in a World Heritage Site, Canterbury is also less than an hour on the train from London and is buzzing with student life. You've got beautiful coast and countryside right on your doorstep, and plenty of opportunities to make friends. With CCCU's range of clubs and societies, including Tennis, Musical Theatre and Dodgeball, you're bound to meet your friends for life.<br/><br/>Apply now to secure your place at CCCU this September.