Professional Policing
Take the first step into the Policing profession with our Professional Policing course. This degree programme offers the skills, knowledge and understanding you’ll need to become a police constable.
Why study with us
- The University helped to design this course with the College of Policing and they have licenced us to deliver it.
- We work with various police forces and law enforcement agencies. This means that you will get to hear from high-profile guest lecturers.
- You will have access to superb facilities, including our Hydra Minerva immersive training simulator.
A day in the life of a Policing student
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Frequently asked questions about becoming a police officer
If you want to join the police as a new Police Constable, there are four main routes you can take, these are:
- The police constable degree apprenticeship (PCDA) - this provides you with the opportunity to study for a degree whilst training on the job.
- A degree in Professional Policing - gain a degree which can lead into the police or a related career.
- Police Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) - this is the traditional entry route which is a two-year training programme within a police force.
- The degree-holder entry programme (DHEP) - If you’ve studied an undergraduate degree in any subject, follow this work-based programme supported by off-the-job learning.
It’s not necessary to have a degree to become a police officer. However, by studying the BSc Professional Policing degree you’ll get shorter on the job training period as a police officer. You'll also get the opportunity, whilst studying, to become a Special Constable or Volunteer.
During the three-year degree programme, you’ll gain the knowledge and theory of Professional Policing. You'll also benefit from our strong partnerships with Lancashire and Cumbria Constabularies and Greater Manchester Police.
You’ll learn about many areas including:
- Response policing
- Policing communities
- Policing the roads
- Intelligence
- Conducting investigations
You’ll also build skills in evidence-based policing and decision-making.
On the degree programme you will explore topics such as:
- Vulnerability and risk
- Digital policing
- Inclusion
- Counter terrorism
You'll also have access to our crime scene houses and the Hydra Minerva Suite. The Hydra Minerva Suite is a simulated control room suite.
At UCLan we place a strong emphasis on employability skills throughout the degree programme.
Policing graduates have gone onto successful careers in the police and also:
- Civil Nuclear Constabulary
- HM Prison Service
- The RAF
- Fraud investigation
- UK Border Agency
You can also progress to postgraduate study in Cybercrime Investigation or Counter Terrorism.
What you'll do
- You’ll learn from a team that mixes experienced academics with serving and former police officers. They have extensive operational experience.
- In your final year, you can conduct your own research project. This will be in an area of policing that interests you, that is relevant to modern day policing practice. Who knows? You may find a very valuable solution to a real-life problem.
- You’ll access our Hydra Minerva Suite: an advanced training simulator that recreates the sights, sounds, radio messages and phone calls of crisis situations, from a missing child to a major terrorist attack.
Module overview
Course delivery
This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
Have an offer to study this September?
Received an offer to study a course at UCLan? Book your offer holder day for the opportunity to explore life here and chat to our current students.
Book your offer holder dayProfessional Policing degree facilities
Future career as a Police Officer
Our BSc (Hons) Professional Policing degree course is designed with one purpose in mind: preparing you for your career as a Police Officer.
Fees and funding
Scholarships and bursaries
We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.
Select your country and see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.
This course is based in the School of Justice located in the Faculty of Business and Justice
For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page