The MA Professional Investigative Practice has been designed to help develop officers who are working in senior investigative roles who have achieved level 3 on the Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) or above or are working towards that level.
The Master’s degree would allow those who have already achieved PIP 3 to gain Recognition of Certificated Prior Learning (RPCL) for up to 80 credits of the course, with those who haven’t achieved PIP 3, working on modules that would prepare them to undertake PIP 3. The aim is to offer a coherent programme for continuing professional development that enables police forces to upskill their officers in line with the College of Policing’s ambition to professionalise the service.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Part-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
The Professional Investigative Practice MA programme has the following general educational and specific aims:
- To provide a Master’s level programme that develops those who already work in senior investigative roles and allows for recognition of work-based learning.
- To develop in students advanced knowledge and understanding of major crime investigations and serious and organised crime in practice.
- To provide the opportunity for practitioners to demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical awareness of their investigative practice and apply this knowledge to evaluate problems, situations and ethical dilemmas in serious and organised crimes.
- To recognise the importance and complexity of investigative practice and further professionalise it.
The in-force PIP 3 qualification has been mapped to two of the 40 credit modules of the MA to allow for the opportunity of RPCL. The police officer would undertake this process if they wanted to gain 80 credits RPCL; those who haven’t achieved PIP 3 would study modules that would prepare them to undertake PIP 3. They would then need to complete two 20 credit modules of applied research methods and a research proposal before starting their dissertation. This applied approach encourages a focus on areas of interest, producing a dissertation that critically reflects on investigative skills and strategies.
Course disclaimer
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We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals.
For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for assessments and feedback (NSS 2023) meaning the comments you get back from your work will help you learn. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as Top 10 in the UK for Lecturers and Teaching Quality. Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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Officers who are working in senior investigative roles who have achieved PIP level 3 or above or are working towards that level.
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A range of summative methods is employed. Exams are not used in the programmes because the assessment focus is on work-based learning and the reflection of theory into practice. Coursework is the primary assessment strategy as it facilitates assessment that synthesises knowledge and understanding, cognitive, practical and key skills using methods appropriate to both the level of study and workplace requirements.
Assessment of the modules is primarily through portfolios of evidence plus a major project that tests knowledge, understanding, cognitive skills and the practical and key (transferable) skills that mirror the skills that the learners will use within their employment role.
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The aim is to offer a coherent programme for continuing professional development that enables police forces to upskill their officers in line with the College of Policing’s ambition to professionalise the service.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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This programme is ideal for those who want to learn more about the history, literature and cultural heritage of Wales and the Celtic regions in order to improve their job prospects. Many of the students who undertake the course on a part-time basis are already in employment and wish to gain a postgraduate qualification as a possible means to promotion or change of job role. Former students include journalists, writers, storytellers, teachers, lecturers, editors and people who work in the tourist or heritage industries. Many of our students have also gone on to further research in Celtic Studies at PhD level.