As a Crown Prosecution Service lawyer, I wanted to find out more about the complex nature of criminal investigation. Being able to research around child abuse survivor interviewing at a postgraduate level really opened my eyes to how academia and practice need to work in unison. I can only recommend embarking on your postgraduate study in criminal investigation.
Susanna Mitchell
Senior Crown Prosecutor
Academic Calendar: Trimesters
View key dates for this Academic Calendar for 2024-25 including when teaching starts and finishes and when you break for holidays.
The MSc in Criminal Investigation develops students' knowledge of key aspects of contemporary criminal investigation and allows the opportunity to specialise within the dissertation element of the course. We live in a world where issues in criminal investigation take centre stage in the media - just think of cases like that of Sarah Everard or Liam Allen. Throughout this course, you will be able to gain a thorough understanding of best practice and challenges of known but also lesser known topics, through a combined academic and practitioner perspective, enabling you to put your knowledge into your current or future practice.
You will be studying within the School of Law, Policing and Social Sciences which will enable you to gain a well rounded understanding of criminal justice from a variety of perspectives. This course includes several taught modules which cover key legal, social and political issues. Two further module consider contemporary issues within criminal investigation, as well as police investigative response to public protection. Your dissertation then enables you to research a criminal investigation topic of your choice and you will be supervised by an expert in the area.
This course is suitable for current working professionals who would like to deepen their understanding or update their knowledge on criminal investigation, as well as for those just embarking on a career within criminal investigation. As well as a career in policing, this course can also enable you to gain employment in other public and private sector investigative roles.
The Student Union (CCSU) has a huge range of clubs and societies – all of which have unique social calendars of their own and offer endless opportunities to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. And you can always create your own society and cultivate your own community!
CCSU will be hosting their Welcome Fayre on Wednesday 18th September 2024. Make sure you keep checking the CCSU website for further details and how to get involved.
We understand that you may be nervous about your first few weeks on campus but rest assured - you'll be joining a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity, equality and individuality are part of everything we do.
You can find out more about our welcoming community and making friends.
If you are an International Student joining us then please see our International Student Support pages for further information and guidance.
O'Neill, M. (2018) Key Challenges in Criminal Investigation. Bristol: Policy Press
International students: don't miss out! Make sure you register for our international student success programme which provides practical advice on preparing to live and study in the UK.
If you have any queries, please contact the course team at lpss.postgraduate.professional@canterbury.ac.uk