Advanced Policing MSc

Entry requirements

A minimum 2.i BSc (Honours) undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area (Law, Policing, Criminology and Criminal Justice or Social Sciences). Applicants are expected to demonstrate a clear interest in the subject in their personal statement. A good range of IT skills are required, including the use of word-processing, spreadsheets, presentation software packages, and the use of email and the internet.

Applicants with equivalent professional qualifications and/or relevant practical experience and applications from working professionals with non-graduate qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact us for further information or for an informal discussion.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

The MSc in Advanced Policing provides its students with an in-depth understanding of contemporary issues in policing and criminal justice. We place a particular focus on national policing priorities such as violence against women and girls, vulnerability in victims and communities, the threats of cyber-crime, counter-terrorism and dealing with organised crime.

Perfect for those with a background in policing, law, criminology and criminal justice, and other social sciences this course offers opportunities to advance your knowledge and skills in evidence-based policing, investigations of serious and organised crimes, and leadership and management approaches in policing. Throughout the degree you will engage with principles core to policing in England and Wales such as policing by consent, public trust and confidence in policing, legitimacy and ethics in policing.

The MSc will draw on our working and research links with North Wales Police. Our close connection with the police force in North Wales allows us to offer students insights into the police working environment.

Why study Advanced Policing at Bangor University?

• Strong links with national crime agencies and local police forces including North Wales Police.
• Taught by experienced former Police Officers and experts in Criminology and Criminal Justice who actively conduct and publish research in the field.
• Opportunities to study part-time alongside your current role to help further develop your career.
• Explore modern day issues that align with current national policing priorities.

What will you study on this course?

On this degree you will focus on research skills and key investigation skills required for senior positions in policing. and You’ll focus on the use of a wide range of technologies in policing which raise questions about the appropriate limits on police and state surveillance, the ethics of technologies and their procurement.

Optional modules will allow you to pursue further study on leadership skills, global issues of crime and justice, vulnerability and serious crime, and contemporary issues in policing.

On this MSc in Advanced Policing, you will study the following modules;

• Investigating complex and major crimes
• Surveillance, Technology and Criminal Justice
• Research Strategy and Design
• Research Process and Meaning
• Evidence Based Policing Dissertation

You will take further credits from a choice of the following modules;

• Key issues in Criminology
• Global Crime and Justice
• Vulnerability, Victimization and Serious Violence
• Empowering Critical Leadership in Policing

Please note modules are subject to change from year to year, and the above is for guidance purposes only.

Information for international students

Applicants who do not speak English or Welsh as their first language must provide satisfactory evidence of knowledge and understanding of written and spoken English: IELTS 6.0 (with no element below 5.5).If you have not been able to achieve the minimum English language level required for this course, you may apply to undertake a Pre-sessional English course at Bangor University. For full information on English language requirements, the range of accepted English language proficiency tests accepted and intensive English language courses available please visit our English Language Requirements pages.

Fees and funding

Please see our Fees & Finances pages for more information. You can also visit our Scholarships, Studentships & Bursaries to learn more about funding available.