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 and research tasks in digital policing
- see the role of digital policing in a broader perspective during an investigation
Knowledge
After completion of the module candidates will have knowledge of:
- software development life cycle
- software design principles
- various software testing / validation methods
Skills
After completion of the module candidates will be able to:
- design large-scale software solutions
- implement large-scale software solutions
- validate large-scale software solutions
- communicate the results of the software development process
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.
- Bachelor’s degree
- have passed NCFI M3A Forensic Tool Development I
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)
All applicants have to document English language proficiency when applying for this study.
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 assessment consisting of:
- A software development task. This task will have multiple deliverables throughout the semester.
- These will include but are not limited to: a project plan; system design report; source code; and a final report.
- Oral assessment related to the software development task.
Both parts of the exam must be passed 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
Autumn 2026
Welcome Meeting (online): 11.08.2026 (12:00-13:30 CEST)
Exam Preparation Review Session (online): Date and time to be confirmed at the start of the study.
Exam: Oral online 04.12.2026 (Time will be organised during the study.)
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,-.