UCPD in forensic road collision investigation 

Introduction
This qualification is offered in partnership with De Montfort University. AiTS provide the teaching, DMU provide the quality procedures and make the final award. As a student on this programme you are a student of De Montfort University and subject to all the university's rules and procedures.

The UCPD is the starting point for most collision investigators and covers the fundamentals used in collision investigation.

Value
It has a value of 60 level 4 (first year) credits.

Cost
Price List

What to take next
It is assumed that students on the blended learning UCPD will continue onto the CertHE in forensic road collision investigation.
The distance learning UCPD is a standalone programme at the end of which university enrolment is ended. At times of high demand students who wish to continue their studies are recommended to take the blended route.

 

Key Features of this programme

  • Provides the underpinning knowledge for new collision investigators
  • Explores a wide range of collision investigation topics
  • Three field days
  • Develops your report writing skills and knowledge of expert witness regulations

 

The first 60 credits Collision Fundamentals (1, 2 and 3) and Collision Case Studies look at the basic reconstruction tools including vehicles under emergency braking, simple time and distance calculations, the effects of gradient and slope, critical speed, limited visibility, collinear momentum, simple pedestrian collisions and relative motion problems.

An introduction to the collision scene including on-scene vehicle examination, scene recording using notes and photography are included.

Students are introduced to the law pertaining to Expert Witnesses and the content of the Expert report.

Academic route
GCSE in Maths (Grade C or above) and have studied some basic physics. Note that equivalent qualifications such as BTEC's, IBACS etc are also acceptable, see the DMU equivalence page for further qualification combinations.

Equivalence route
For those who do not meet the entry requirements you will need to demonstrate an understanding of mathematics and physics to about GCSE Grade C level, or broadly equivalent material. If necessary, an assessment will be made to clarify whether your background in this area is suitable for the course. Students taking this route will need to submit a personal statement listing how they use maths and physics in their current role as part of their application. Advice on completing a personal statement is available from UCAS here.

Currently you can only study part time.

Part time
Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at university.

  • You will study 60 credits worth of study a year.
  • You'll need to find around 16-18 hours to study each week.

Inevitably, unless your employer has agreed to let you study in work time (2 days a week on the part time route) the number of hours you will need to study means giving up some of your own time. This is likely to involve cutting down on some of your social activities. The OU provides some excellent advice on how to find time to study and the things you may have to consider moderating. There is an online planner which we strongly recommend you take a look at. Click the link to see more.

You will be asked to explain where your study time will be coming from during your induction.

Delivered using a mix of residential and distance learning. Term starts in September of each year and runs through to July. There are five one week residential blocks with three weeks in the workplace in between when students will be expected to undertake some distance learning tasks and on the job learning.

A distance learning version with a short summer school starts in January of each year. This is a standalone programme and does not guarantee entry onto the CertHE.

All programmes start in September of each year and run through to June the following year.

We allow provisional places to be booked by employers, contact facultyoffice@aits.ac.uk. A provisional place is one where you are unable to provide a student name because you have not completed your recruitment process.

As soon as you can confirm your place, download and complete an application form (requires Acrobat or Acrobat reader) for each student together with copies of their certificates and any personal statement if required by the entry requirements and send it to ahowe@aits.ac.uk. Registration for all programmes closes at midday on the final Friday in July and all the necessary paperwork must be submitted by this date. Any provisional places that have not been confirmed with a name will be lost.

Student on boarding begins in August.

 

At a Glance

What's the Qualification UCPD in forensic road collision investigation
Programme code F41041
Credits 60
How long does it take 1 year    

About

AiTS have been training collision investigators in the UK and overseas since 1996. We are also the UK's main provider of Roads Policing, Prohibitions and Tachograph training in the UK and Ireland.

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Contact Us

AiTS
Unit A5, Lakeside Business Park, South Cerney
GL7 5XL. UK
Tel: +44(0)1285 864650 email: mail@aits.ac.uk