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Postgraduate Certificate in Serious and Violent Crime (PG Cert)

Summary

Study level

Postgraduate

Award

PG Cert

Full time

1 year

Location

Online

Apply today

Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology

What makes Arden University special?

Education for everyone, everywhere

Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.

You decide how and where to study

We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.

Full support both online and on-site

We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.

Strong focus on employability

You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

This practical and innovative programme equips you with the skills and knowledge to tackle serious and violent crimes. You will graduate with a deep understanding of critical issues, ready to apply this expertise directly in your career.

Developed by experts with real-world criminal justice experience, the course takes a hands-on approach to solving the sector’s most pressing challenges. It’s tailored for both current criminal justice professionals and those seeking to transition into the field.

Focusing on practical application, the PG Cert covers essential criminological topics, including terrorism, the dark web, the psychology of serious offending, and managing intelligence and investigations. By the end of the programme, you will have both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate complex situations in criminal justice environments.

Why choose this course?

Career advancement: Whether you’re looking to enter the sector or progress in your current role, this course equips you with the expertise and skills to gain a competitive edge and stand out to employers.

Tailored for professionals: This programme is ideal for those already working in criminal justice. Whether you’re in law enforcement, security, intelligence, or national security, you’ll gain the skills to tackle serious crime more effectively.

Accessible admission: Admission is more accessible if you are already employed in a role in criminal justice, law enforcement or security services, evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This means you can continue your education without disrupting your career.

Flexible learning: Balance your career with academic growth. Based entirely online, this course prioritises practical assessments over traditional exams, making it ideal for busy professionals.

Funding opportunities: Choose from a range of funding opportunities, including government scholarships, employer sponsorships, and flexible payment plans, so you can focus on your education without financial stress.

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Career development resources

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Course details and modules

This PG Cert in Serious and Violent Crime takes an applied approach, ensuring everything you learn can be directly applied to your career. Modules cover topics that are crucial for modern criminal justice practice and reflect the demands of today’s criminal justice system.

Reflective Practice and Leadership: Develop your leadership style while considering the ethical and professional challenges of dealing with serious crime.

The Psychology of Serious Offending: Understand the psychological factors that drive serious crime, with a focus on violent offenders and their patterns.

Managing Intelligence and Investigations: Learn to manage large volumes of data and intelligence, supporting strategic decisions and operational effectiveness in serious crime cases.

Terrorism, Extremism, and Hate: Study the global and local dynamics of terrorism and extremism, including preventive strategies and counterterrorism efforts.

Cybercrime and the Dark Web: Gain insight into the growing threat of cybercrime, particularly focusing on the dark web, and develop skills to investigate digital crime.

The Criminal Justice System and Globalisation: Explore how crime and justice are impacted by globalisation and the challenges it poses for policing, legal frameworks, and the wider system.

The course is a real breath of fresh air, the content and learning is extremely current and the assignments are pieces of work that can be easily applied to the workplace. I thought that I would struggle working full time and completing this course but if anything, working full time in the field makes it easier. It is also extremely valuable to have lecturers who have working experience of the criminal justice system to enhance learning.

Lorna Griffiths

MA Serious & Violent Crime

Modules

Core module

Reflective Practice and Leadership (20 credits)

Elective modules (select two)

The Criminal Justice System and Globalisation (20 credits)
The Psychology of Serious Offending (20 credits)
Managing Intelligence and Investigations (20 credits)
Terrorism, Extremism and Hate (20 credits)
Cybercrime and the Dark Web (20 credits)

How do we assess you?

We take a practical, forward-thinking approach to assessment. No exams, no essays, and no dissertation. Instead, assessments are designed to reflect the tasks and situations you will face within the criminal justice sector. These include:

Strategic business pitches
Reports and presentations
Intelligence analysis
Operational strategy documents

For example, in the Managing Intelligence and Investigations module, you will complete a 'Senior Level Strategic Briefing Document'—an assessment designed to reflect the type of task a senior team lead or above would perform during an ongoing incident, operation, or investigation.

The support you need to succeed

You will receive extensive support throughout your studies. Our team of practitioners with real-world experience in criminal justice will be your guides. You will also benefit from flexible online resources and personal support from your module leaders.

Additional support services:

Personalised academic support through the A-PASS (Arden Pathway to Academic Student Success).
Career events, training, and networking opportunities
Access to learning resources, journals, and events, which will help you progress in your career.

Study options

Having flexible study is so important to me… I’ve had to do last-minute school runs to drop my nephews off, but Arden has been so understanding and the flexibility of study suits my life perfectly.

Ryan-Jay Walsh

BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology

Online learning

How does it work?

Studying this course online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

Our online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at university. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have your Kindle handy.

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with like-minded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Learn more about online learning.

Introducing your Digital Backpack

Once you’ve enrolled with Arden, you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources we’ve put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.

Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:

Office 365 subscription
Integrated Zoom video conferencing
Career services through the Arden Futures Target Connect platform
Free online access to our Library Portal with thousands of eBooks, journals, and industry databases
Subscription to Togetherall for mental health support

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.

What you need to study with us

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

What do you need to study with us?

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study your degree in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing almost half a million texts, as well as creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

Eligibility

Entry requirements for our Postgraduate Certificate in Serious and Violent Crime:

Standard entry:

A 2:2 undergraduate degree.

Non-standard entry:

At least 3 years of relevant industry work experience (guaranteed interview/offer).

Acceptable work experience includes:

Police service (uniformed officer or civilian)
Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)
National Crime Agency (NCA)
Border Force/Interpol
Youth Justice or relevant NGOs

Less relevant work experience includes:

Hospitality, healthcare, retail, education, and administrative roles

Course fees and funding

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Meet the faculty

Dr. Emma Winlow obtained her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Criminology and Crime & Justice from the University of Chester and completed her PhD at the University of Gloucestershire. A public criminologist, Emma has extensive leadership and management experience in higher education and is passionate about accessibility, inclusion, and employability in teaching and learning. She established the School of Criminal Justice with these practices in mind. Emma is also a member of the British Society of Criminology and the British Society of Criminology's Teaching and Learning Network.

Dr Emma Winlow

Head of School - Criminal Justice

Career prospects

Upon completion of the PG Cert, you will be prepared to move into higher-level positions within law enforcement or related sectors. Many graduates advance to leadership roles in policing or national security or work for agencies like the National Crime Agency or MI5. Alternatively, you may choose to apply your skills to policy development or research in the criminal justice sector.

Related Courses

What will this course do for me?

The PG Cert in Serious and Violent Crime will provide you with the expertise to advance within your current role or transition into a new career in criminal justice. By completing this programme, you will develop essential industry skills such as:

In-depth knowledge of crime prevention and response strategies for serious and violent crime.
Enhanced leadership and decision-making skills in complex and high-pressure environments.
Practical experience in managing crime data and intelligence.
An advanced understanding of terrorism, cybercrime, and the evolving threats within the criminal landscape.

What can I do after Arden University?

Graduates of the PG Cert in Serious and Violent Crime will be well-equipped for roles in various areas of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and NGOs. Possible career paths include:

Policing and National Crime Agency (NCA)
Border Force or MI5
Prison and Probation Services
Crime Prevention and Community Safety
Intelligence Agencies and Local Authorities

Additionally, this qualification can serve as a stepping stone to more senior roles in criminal justice, law enforcement, or policy-making.

Industry skills

Campaign for Social Science

Arden University is a member of the Campaign for Social Science.

The Campaign demonstrates how social science improves public policy, society, and all our lives. It highlights the value of applied social science research and advocates for its greater use in decision-making and in government. It is supported by a coalition of universities, social science societies, and publishers.

As a member, Arden receives access to case studies, research into the value provided by social sciences, and insights into the employability of social science graduates. Through this, you will gain a better understanding of the skills you are learning and their value to employers.