Introduction

The Institute for Policing Studies (IPS) is an exciting new development within the University of West London. Its creation reflects the increasing role of Higher Education in the policing community in London and the UK.

The policing landscape has changed dramatically over the last decade and police education has changed to meet the new demands of cybercrime, terrorism and to reflect the increasing “social” role that the police play in dealing with victims in the community.

Stuart Kind (1987) described police investigations as a “high level intellectual exercise" following the Byford report into the Yorkshire Ripper case in the 1970s and 1980s. Since then, the complexity of investigations has continued to increase.

Two young police officers attend a lecture

The advent of cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crime has provided fresh policing challenges alongside existing issues appearing in these new contexts. Leadership in policing routinely covers international boundaries and jurisdictions, but the core skills of policing remain.

The Institute will promote these aspects of professional policing while reflecting on the lessons learnt from historic investigations such as the Yorkshire Ripper case, the Steven Lawrence enquiry and modern cases and critical incidents.

The scale and scope of what officers police in the UK is wide-ranging; from lost children to rural crime, from natural disasters such as flooding to public order events, from terrorism to dealing with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. The British model of dealing with a serious crime such as homicide is world-class and the Institute's staff have experience in major investigations in the UK, America, and the Middle East.

Welcome video

Hear from Mark Roycroft, former Head of the Institute for Policing Studies at the University of West London, on why UWL is a great choice for your future.

Our courses

Our degree courses

We run a BSc Professional Policing degree (licensed by the College of Policing). The Institute offers MSc Policing to all students who meet the entry requirements of a 2.2 degree or equivalent. The courses are taught by staff with a strong operational background in policing and relevant academic experience. We pride ourselves on bridging academia and practical policing.

Our courses

Our research degree courses

The Institute for Policing Studies offers a PhD in Policing and Law Enforcement.

Studying for a PhD enables you to develop an area of specialism that will give you an edge, whether you are planning to work in industry or to develop expertise to teach in academia.

Our apprenticeship courses

The IPS teaches the new Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) for student police officers as well as a Senior Leader (Policing Apprenticeship, aimed at current operational managers.

Research

Three police officers walking up stairs.

As a new Institute, we will be building a research base. Dr Mark Roycroft, former Head of the Policing Institute, has published three books to date:

  • "Police Chiefs in the UK" - 89 interviews with Heads of Policing in the UK.
  • “Decision Making in Police Enquires and Critical Incidents".
  • “Modern Police Leadership, Operational Effectiveness at Every Level".

Facilities

Watch the video to find out more about the facilities on offer for our policing students.

Our staff

  • Andrew Rose

    Andrew Rose

    Head of the Institute for Policing Studies
    Institute for Policing Studies

    Andy moved to Higher Education following a successful career in policing. He helped to develop a number of policing programmes and blends practical expertise and academic learning in his teaching. He works both nationally and internationally, encourages student exchange and development and has added his knowledge to academic publications and TV programmes.

    Andy moved to Higher Education following a successful career in policing. He helped to develop a number of policing programmes and blends practical expertise and academic learning in his teaching. He works both nationally and internationally, encourages student exchange and development and has added his knowledge to academic publications and TV programmes.

Contact us

Contact us

To contact us about applying for a course, please get in touch with our Admissions team:

  • courses@uwl.ac.uk
  • 0800 036 8888 and select option 2 - free for land line and mobile users
  • +44 (0) 20 8231 2468 for callers from outside the UK.

Disclaimer

* Modern universities are defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992. UWL received the rankings listed above when compared to all other modern universities ranked in the guides / surveys cited.