About the programme
Your learning outcomes
The aim of this program is to ensure that the quality of computer forensic investigation is of a high level, guaranteeing legal protection and the right to privacy.
General competence
After completion of the module candidates will be able to:
- perform professional tasks in the role of digital forensic investigator with increased insight and confidence
- see the role of digital forensics in a broader perspective during an investigation
Knowledge
After completion of the module candidates will have knowledge of:
- general programming concepts
- methods of forensic tool testing and validation
- legal issues related to the admissibility of digital evidence in court proceedings
Skills
After completion of the module candidates will be able to:
- develop digital policing software
- critically compare the performance of forensic tools
- evaluate the validity of the results returned by forensic tools
- present the results of new tools
Admission criteria
The primary target group is police staff in the Nordic countries whose main task is handling and investigating digital evidence. It is a prerequisite that participants are selected in accordance with local competency plans.
Employees in other International police services or governmental agencies who work, or will work, with digital evidence are also eligible to apply.
Applicants must be recommended by the employer.
Admission criteria Applicants for module 3A must:
- Bachelor’s degree
- have passed at least one NCFI M2X module.
Applicants who do not satisfy the requirement for a bachelor’s degree must document the following:
- Passed and completed 2-year education at a higher level than upper secondary school, and in addition either:
- Minimum 60 ECTS
- (of which NCFI Core Concepts of 15 ECTS and any NCFI M2X of 15 ECTS each. The former NCFI Module 1 (5 ECTS) and former NCFI Module 2 (25 ECTS) are also accepted.), or
- 1680 hours of continuing education courses, or
- 5 years of practice
Employment, work experience and additional requirements:
- Current employment in a government agency (e.g., law enforcement agency or other cooperating governmental agencies/organisations)
Practical information
The education is organised as an online part-time programme and must be completed within 5 months. The scope of further education is estimated to be approx. 210 hours of study.
The mandatory reading shall not exceed 450 pages.
The student needs to pass a number of course requirements in order to sit the exam. Students may have multiple attempts at these tests if necessary.
The module is concluded with a two-part exam:
- an individual software development assignment (this is a continuous piece)
- an oral examination based on the software development assignment
Both parts of the exam must be passed in the same sitting in order to successfully complete the module
Grading is on a scale of A – F (in which A – E are passing grades and F is a fail).
Schedule for tuition and exam
Spring 2026
Compulsory education
Location: Online
Welcome meeting: 06.01.2026 at 10:00-10:45 CET
Additional Live Lecture Date/time: to be confirmed
Exam: Assessment (continuous piece) + Oral Examination
Location: Online
Date: to be confirmed
If both are blank, then the course may not be running this semester.
If compulsory education is blank, then the course may not have it, see curriculum for information about this.
Tuition fee
A semester fee is required.
An external student is defined as a student from another Nordic country, or an agency outside the police service (including police special agencies). The tuition fee is not applicable to students coming from institutions which have a reciprocal agreement with NPUC, or an agreement involving contributions to the study programme. The student fee is NOK 15 000,-.