Criminal and Corporate Investigations and Intelligence MA Welcome Pack
Welcome to the MA in Criminal and Corporate Investigations and Intelligence – September 2026.
Welcome to the MA in Criminal and Corporate Investigations and Intelligence. This course has been designed in collaboration with industry, to immerse you in the complex and evolving world of investigation and intelligence practices across sectors. Our course blends academic research with real-world application. Throughout our time together, you’ll explore the intersections of criminal justice, corporate risk, and intelligence gathering, developing a critical understanding of how investigations are conducted across sectors.
You can expect to engage with contemporary case studies, ethical dilemmas, and practical scenarios that mirror the challenges faced by professionals in law enforcement, corporate investigations, and intelligence analysis. Building on the foundations of ethical leadership developed throughout the course, you’ll be encouraged to think deeply about how decisions are made in complex, high-pressure environments, while developing insight into investigative techniques, organisational vulnerabilities, terrorism, organised crime, and the critical role of intelligence in both preventing and responding to threats.
By the end of the course, you’ll not only have a strong theoretical foundation but also the skills needed to operate effectively in investigation and intelligence roles. Whether you’re aiming to advance in law enforcement, the corporate sector, or intelligence community, this programme will equip you with the tools to think critically, act ethically, and lead confidently in high-stakes environments.
Your Course Leader
Abdul-Hye Miah
Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice
Abdul-hye.miah@northampton.ac.uk
You’ll be supported by the course leader, who brings expertise in investigation, intelligence, and ethical leadership. They will help you navigate complex ideas, connect theory to practice, and build confidence in tackling real-world challenges. Throughout the course, you’ll be encouraged to engage, ask questions, and reflect on your development as a critical thinker and future practitioner.
Additional staff
- Dr Cleo Cameron, Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice
- Tina Billington-Hughes, Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice
Preparing for your course
In preparation for your course starting in September, we hold some sessions beforehand so you can meet your Academic Team and other students studying the same course. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact abdul-hye.miah@northampton.ac.uk.
Wednesday 23 September
Session: Welcome to your course and induction
- Time: 10 – 12pm
- Where: SN105, Senate House
Lunch
- Time: 12-1pm
Session: Meet your tutors and CCII Quiz / Activity Session
- Time: 1-3pm
- Where: SN105, Senate House
Session: Library Induction
Find out about what the Library and Learning Resources team can do for you and get a head start with your studies.
- Time: 3.15pm – 4.15pm
- Where: Drop-in area, 2nd floor of the Learning Hub
Thursday 24 September
Session: Postgraduate Taster workshop
Meet your LLM and MA peers and build a PG community!
- Time: 10 – 12pm
- Where: SN314, third floor, Senate
- Lunch
- Time: 12-1pm
Session: Meet with tutors/ 1-1 with Course Leader
- Time: 1pm – 2pm
- Where: Drop-in area, 2nd floor of the Learning Hub
Session: The Faculty Welcome Experience!
This fun and friendly social event brings music, unique games, party food and more to our new student and staff community. Hosted by the faculty Student Experience Assistant Team (SEAT), this is a great opportunity to connect and mix with peers and tutors from Business, Management, Analytics, Marketing, Hospitality, Law, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Criminology, Criminal Justice & Policing course communities. We promise you’ll have a great time…NOT TO BE MISSED!
- Time: From 2pm
- Where: The Leather Sellers Hide, fourth floor, Learning Hub
Friday 25 September
Session: Welcome to UON by University Leadership Team
- Time: 11:15 – 11: 45 am
- Location: The Engine Shed, Waterside campus
Preparation and Pre-Arrival tasks
There’s no formal prep required—just bring your curiosity.
If you’d like to get a feel for the kind of thinking we’ll explore, why not try one of these quick activities:
- Spot a recent news story about crime, policing, or intelligence
- Notice a decision you found difficult (big or small)
- Watch or listen to something that got you thinking about the world of investigation or intelligence
- No need to write anything down—just come ready to share your thoughts.
Reading Lists
There is no required pre-reading before you arrive. However, if you would like to start exploring the world of crime, investigation, intelligence and ethical leadership, you may enjoy dipping into one or two accessible sources such as Turmoil by Neil Basu, The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre, Bad Blood by John Carreyrou, or podcasts such as Underworld: Behind the Scenes of the NCA and Giving Voice to Values How to Speak Your Mind when You Know What’s Right by Mary Gentile. These are not formal reading lists — they are simply starting points to spark curiosity before you begin the course.
