Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Professional Policing

Program Description

The pre-join Policing degree is a new entry route into the police force and has been designed to prepare new recruits to meet the demands of 21st century policing. This vocational degree meets the new standards set by the College of Policing’s Policing Education Qualification Framework (PEQF). Aspects of this program have been used by police forces throughout England and Wales as part of the newly-categorised modes of entry into the policing profession.

The pre-join route will allow students to study for a degree and then apply to a force and follow a shorter on-the-job training program to become a police constable or a special constable. The degree is designed so that students will undertake the learning as set out by the PEQF, attain a BA (Hons) Professional Policing and be equipped with the requisite skills and knowledge to be able to apply to the Police Force to become a police constable. 

This exciting new course focuses on the main challenges a 21st century police officer faces, such as protecting the vulnerable, digital policing and counter-terrorism measures. It also provides a foundation knowledge into the role of a Police Constable and the five core areas of professional policing practice: Response Policing, Policing Communities, Policing the Roads, Information and Intelligence, and Conducting Investigations. Students will also undertake their own research project into their chosen policing practice area in the final year.

It is not a requirement of the BA (Hons) Professional Policing Degree for students to undertake any placement element nor for the course to be aligned with a particular force for purposes of delivery. An optional placement or sandwich year can give students the chance to gain further insight into the industry or career they are seeking to follow, enabling them to apply their  theoretical knowledge to the workplace. Students can also apply to take an optional year abroad between years two and three. If students decide to take advantage of a placement year it is their responsibility to find a placement with an employer within their chosen sector. The careers and employability department, alongside the course team, can support students throughout the placement year.

Please note that placement or study abroad opportunities are not guaranteed and that any such opportunities referred to on this webpage may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements.