School of Criminology, Investigation and Policing

Welcome to the School of Criminology, Investigation and Policing

We are delighted to introduce our exciting programmes, designed to educate and prepare you for your future careers. At Leeds Trinity, employability stands at the forefront of our educational philosophy - every course, workshop, and lecture is designed with your career success in mind.

Based at our new Leeds City Campus, you’ll study in specialist facilities in the heart of Leeds. Depending on your course, you’ll gain experience through built-in work placements or be encouraged to form professional links through volunteering.

Criminology, Sociology, and Related Disciplines

Our curriculum is specifically designed to address current societal issues, encouraging you to engage with relevant and pressing challenges. These courses are structured to deepen your knowledge and provoke thought about the complexities of our society today.

Professional Policing

This programme is licensed by the College of Policing and delivered by experienced professionals. It provides you with nationally endorsed knowledge and skills for a career in policing.

Policing and Investigation

If you are interested in developing high-standard investigative skills applicable to roles in policing and other sectors, this programme is for you. It is designed to align with national standards, ensuring your qualifications are recognised and respected wherever you work.

Our achievements

97% of our School of Criminology, Investigation and Policing graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduating.

Graduate Outcomes, Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), published 2024

Top 10 in the UK and 1st in Yorkshire for ‘learning opportunities’ among universities in the UK included for Sociology.

National Student Survey (NSS)

Top 15 in the UK and 1st in Yorkshire for ‘teaching on my course’ among universities in the UK included for Sociology.

National Student Survey (NSS) 2024

4th in the UK and 1st in Yorkshire for ‘academic support’ among universities in the UK included for Sociology.

National Student Survey (NSS) 2024

Leeds Trinity University is top in Yorkshire and top 10 in the UK for 'satisfaction with teaching'.

The Guardian University Guide 2025

Our courses

Undergraduate courses

Course title	Award	Year of entry	Link to view course
Criminology	BA (Hons)	Year of entry: 2025	View course
Criminology and Sociology	BA Joint (Hons)	Year of entry: 2025	View course
Criminology and Sociology with Foundation Year	BA Joint (Hons)	Year of entry: 2025	View course
Criminology with Foundation Year	BA (Hons)	Year of entry: 2025	View course
Criminology with Police Studies	BA Combined (Hons)	Year of entry: 2025	View course
Criminology with Police Studies with Foundation Year	BA Combined (Hons)	Year of entry: 2025	View course
Policing and Investigation	BA (Hons)	Year of entry: 2025	View course
Policing and Investigation with Foundation Year	BA (Hons)	Year of entry: 2025	View course
Professional Policing	BA (Hons)	Year of entry: 2025	View course
Professional Policing with Foundation Year	BA (Hons)	Year of entry: 2025	View course

Postgraduate courses

Course title	Award	Year of entry	Link to view course
Criminology and Criminal Justice	MA	Year of entry: 2024	View course

A School with connections

Cold Case Unit

The Cold Case Unit was launched in 2020 and works with 16 families in the UK and abroad. Through student-led teams, the Unit provides an independent review of unsolved murders and long-term missing persons. We complement ongoing police investigative efforts and look to “modernise” inquiries to ensure all lines of inquiry, recommendations, and future work are effective in trying to find answers for the families. The unit is free and utilises student volunteers across the teaching year.

Student speaking with lecturer during seminar..

Veterans Covenant

Leeds Trinity University have recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are currently Bronze Award holders. This represents an innovative next step in the University's mission to assist our communities.

It serves as a dynamic and collaborative platform where students, military personnel, veterans, military families, researchers, and university scholars converge to advance knowledge, foster innovation, and address the multifaceted challenges faced by this marginalised and underrepresented section of our community.

At its core it is a commitment to education, research, and partnership, ensuring that our armed forces and their families are equipped with the skills needed to transition to civilian life.

Students chatting around a table in the Andrew Kean Learning Centre..

West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership

Leeds Trinity has been involved with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) ‘Research Knowledge Hub’ with several other West Yorkshire universities and NGOs and is informing the VRU (Knowledge Exchange activity) in and around the following context.

The VRP is continuously striving to better understand the scale and extent of violence in West Yorkshire as well as the root causes and protective factors that may make a person and/or their communities susceptible or protect them from violence and exploitation. To date the VRP Knowledge Hub has provided valuable insights on violence into issues involving (but not exclusively) Domestic Abuse Programmes of Intervention, Drugs and Alcohol-related violence, the long-lasting impacts of parental imprisonment, and interventions on serious violence and exploitation of young people in West Yorkshire.

Two postgraduate students discuss their work in a classroom setting.

Make more happen with our specialist facilities

Our Leeds City Centre Campus merges academic theory with practical experience, creating a unique, immersive learning environment. The Criminology and Policing facilities include:

A fully equipped custody suite
Professional interview rooms
An immersive learning suite
An authentic courtroom setup

These facilities allow you to step into the roles of criminologists, police officers, and legal professionals, offering rare hands-on experiences in academic settings. This blend of rigorous academics and practical application ensures you are exceptionally well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of your future career. Our programmes are designed to turn ambition into achievement, equipping you with the tools to excel in your chosen field.

Meet our alumni

Our alumni have been making an impact since we opened our doors in 1966. Read more about our exceptional graduates and how they got to where they are today.

Sabina Lee - Police Trainee

"The lecturers that taught me were so knowledgeable, they were able to share their real-life experiences in prisons, in the police force and working in crime reduction."

Meet Sabina

Alice Allen - Life Coach at Leeds City Council

"If I think back to where I was four or five years ago, I wouldn't have ever thought that I'd make it to this position. I’m very grateful for the support I’ve received from all my tutors at Leeds Trinity."

Meet Alice

Our people

Name	Position	Link to full profile
Dr Joanna Adhikari	Deputy Head of School: Criminology, Investigation and Policing	Research profile
Jonathan Jackson	University Teacher	Research profile
Sarah Fenton	Progress Tutor for Professional Policing
Dr Shaun McDaid	Senior Lecturer in Criminology	Research profile

Cutting-edge research

View our research

Staff within the School of Criminology, Investigation and Policing have expertise from various professions and academic disciplines. They have strong connections with external partners such as schools, colleges, prisons, police, forensics teams, drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services, health organisations, law firms and legal services providers, courts and tribunals, legal professional bodies, professional service providers as well as professional and academic societies.

International Journal of Criminology and Policing Education

Leeds Trinity University's International Journal of Criminology and Policing Education also provides students, police officers, and academics with a platform to publish influential, evidence-based research. Student contributions not only enhance their professional development but also make a real impact on society.

Research themes

Addiction Recovery

Our research in addiction recovery explores innovative methods and evidence-based practices that aim to support individuals through their recovery journey, enhance long-term well-being, and promote societal reintegration.

Violence Reduction

We focus on developing and evaluating strategies for violence reduction, addressing root causes, and implementing preventative measures that contribute to safer communities and reduced crime rates.

Youth Offending and Youth Justice

Our research in youth offending and justice delves into the complexities of youth behaviour, aiming to influence policy and practice to better support rehabilitation and positive futures for young offenders.

Policing

Our policing research examines contemporary challenges and best practices within law enforcement, contributing to developing more effective, equitable, and community-focused policing strategies.

Prisons and Rehabilitation

We investigate the efficacy of prison systems and rehabilitation programs, advocating for reforms that enhance prisoner reintegration and reduce recidivism, ultimately contributing to a more just society.

Our highly experienced academic staff are also current researchers in the fields of:

Terrorism and extremism
Serious and organised crime
Policing
Violence Against Women and Girls
Leadership
Crime and disability
Prisons and punishment
Gender inequality
Young people and criminality
LGBTQ+ and crime

For more information on Research from the School of Criminology, Investigation and Policing, contact:

Research Director - Dr Rob Hornsby

Research Knowledge Exchange Lead - Dr Liam Wrigley