BA (Hons) Security and Offender Management (Top Up Degree) – 1 year

This is a unique programme where you will not only learn about the significance of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) but also gain an understanding of how the service, working together with the police, ensures public protection and security. This includes the management of violent, sexual and mentally disordered offenders both within the custodial environment and the community, and the provision of interventions to reduce re-offending and lower recidivism rates. Its aim is to address the skills and knowledge gap faced by the private and voluntary sectors tendering for and delivering these services.  

This is a full-time course, with around two days per week scheduled for taught sessions including lectures and seminars. Therefore it is expected that you will use the remainder of the time for your independent study and work experience.

The programme learning outcomes seek to improve your employability by developing your critical thinking and analytical skills, your scholarship and your intellectual skills – all of which are transferable. We encourage a focus on independent learning to solve real-life projects. These skills will equip you for a wide range of careers in the security and offender management industry, including the Police, Probation and Prison services.

The course will run with a minimum of eight students. In 2022-23 we enrolled 22 students on this programme.

This course is delivered at the Broomfield Hall campus on two to three days per week.

It is regulated by the OfS and the qualification is awarded by the University of Derby.

All students have access to the UDO online platform, the Derby College Group Learning Resources Centre, the University of Derby library, and the College’s Moodle pages. 

All applicants will be invited to an interview to discuss their qualifications, experience and any other related issues.

You should have one of the following:

• A Foundation Degree in a relevant subject such as Criminal Justice or Public Services – students must have attained 120 credits at Level 5
• A HND in Public Services or the equivalent

You will also need:

• GCSE English and Maths at grades 9-4 (A*- C) or the equivalent

Students wishing to progress from any other Level 5 qualification in a relevant subject will be considered on their own merit following a full mapping exercise.

We also welcome applicants who lack institutional qualifications. All such applicants will be interviewed and may be set an appropriate piece of work upon which a judgement will be made, taking into account their academic potential and relevant experience.

All applicants are subject to approval from the University of Derby.

Modules include:

• Mentally Disordered Offenders
   
• Security, Public Protection and Safer Custody Arrangements
   
• Interventions to Reduce Offending
   
• Sexual Violence, Exploitation and Abuse
   
• Independent Research Project (Dissertation)
   

It is expected that students will undertake around 72 hours of work experience to enhance their overall employability skills.

You will learn on-site at Broomfield Hall Higher Education Centre. Your studies are likely to be timetabled over two days, with independent study and research expected across the rest of the week.

Attendance is expected to be over 90%. This is linked to Student Finance England maintenance loans which will be put at risk if you drop below this level.

The core higher education academic year will be for a duration of 33 weeks for the purposes of maintenance loans. You will receive a proportion of this time as direct delivery, with any additional time – as deemed appropriate by the programme team and the awarding body – for activities such as induction, tutorials, research, directed study and reading weeks.  The direct delivery time for this course will be 30 weeks.

Having your own laptop is essential to aid your independent study and assignment work.

Additional trips and visits are usually provided as part of your study programme. However, there may be social or team building opportunities which would incur additional costs of around £15-20. In previous years, students have paid £200 for a two-night trip to the Royal Courts of Justice and Old Bailey in London.

The fee for this one-year course is £7500.

The degree will be assessed through a range of assignments and exams which include essays, presentations, case studies, assessment reports, independent research projects and practical activities.

Applicants should have confidence in presenting to new groups of people and leading activities and should have a desire to work with the community.

On successful completion of the programme, students may choose to extend their studies and progress to other higher education provision such as a postgraduate course, provided that they meet the minimum threshold of that particular programme. 

Alternatively, they may wish to seek employment in security and offender management related careers, such as the Police Service, Probation Service, Prison Service, social work or youth offending agencies. Some of these fields may require further study. The BA (Hons) (Top Up) meets the entry criteria for the degree holder route for joining the Police Service and Probation Service.  There is also the option of pursuing a career within the voluntary sector, working in areas such as the rehabilitation of offenders or with victims.

This qualification is awarded by the University of Derby. www.derby.ac.uk

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or tweet us @derbycollegeps