How can I become 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.

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BSc (Hons)

Professional Policing

Attendance

Campus

Start

Book an Autumn Open Day

Duration

3 Years

Start

September 2024

UCAS Code

PP10

Delivery

Campus Taught

Foundation Entry

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.

Our Professional Policing BSc (Hons) covers all the knowledge of the national curriculum for the police constable role. This will enable you to take your first steps towards a successful career in the Police.

We are officially licensed and approved by the College of Policing. We also have a long-standing reputation for top quality Policing courses. This is due to our high levels of professional experience and expertise.

You’ll study many areas covering the Core Requirements of the National Policing Qualification. These include response policing, policing communities, policing the roads, intelligence and conducting investigations. You’ll also build skills in evidence-based policing and decision-making. And, you'll explore topics such as vulnerability and risk, digital policing, inclusion and counter terrorism.

We have exceptional learning facilities at UCLan. These include mock crime scenes and a simulated control room suite (based at the Preston Campus). This means you will have the chance to build practical skills which you can carry through into your career. So, by the time you graduate from the policing degree course, you’ll have all the skills and knowledge you need to work towards a role with the police force.

Why study with us

The University helped to design this course with the College of Policing and they have licensed 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.

Interested?

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A day in the life of a Policing student

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The Hydra Minerva Suite at the University of Central Lancashire

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Lancashire Constabulary Policing Attestation Ceremony

Frequently asked questions about becoming a police officer

Search the FAQs :

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

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Year 1

Compulsory modules

PC1008: Efficient Policing
PC1009: Effective Policing
PC1010: Policing in Context
PC1011: Police Professionalism and Accountability
PC1012: Information and Intelligence
PC1013: Applied Decision Making

PC1008: Efficient Policing

Develop the academic skills needed to meet the requirements of the national curriculum for the professional education of potential police constable candidates. You'll need to develop a broad knowledge base and a range of subject-specific, cognitive, and transferable skills. The module will cover key concepts, the different approaches to solving problems and how to communicate the outcomes clearly using structured arguments.

PC1009: Effective Policing

Enhance your understanding of the need to accurately reflect on one's actions and behaviours using recognised reflective models. Both elements are key attributes required to be an effective and efficient police officer. These skills will complement the College of Policing Code of Ethics values framework. These academic and policing skills meet the appropriate standard and requirements of the national curriculum for the professional education of potential police constable candidates and are set at academic level 4.

PC1010: Policing in Context

Understand the legal and professional responsibilities of policing as a profession. This module allows you to demonstrate appropriate knowledge of powers, legislation, and Authorised Professional Practice. Acquire an understanding of the criminal justice system relevant to policing, whilst developing an understanding of how to engage in lawful, safe, and effective front-line policing. You'll prepare a written statement capable of withstanding the scrutiny of the various layers of the criminal justice system. You should also be in a position to explain the mechanics and diverse challenges faced by the Criminal Justice System.

PC1013: Applied Decision Making

This module aims to help you understand the role of a first responder in terms of incident management at a critical or disorder incident. You'll understand and explain the policing skills required when attending an incident as a first responder, whilst understanding the specific considerations required when responding to common high-risk incidents. You'll also understand the need to identify any equality, diversity, and human rights considerations as a first responder.

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Year 2

Compulsory modules

PC2008: Being Efficient in Policing
PC2009: Being Effective in Policing
PC2010: Understanding Communities
PC2011: Protecting Communities
PC2012: Community Policing
PC2013: Digital Communities

PC2008: Being Efficient in Policing

The module will cover evidence-based policing techniques and strategies and should be fully understood so you are able to apply them when presented with common police-related community or crime problems.

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Year 3

Compulsory modules

PC3002: Demonstrating Efficiencies in Policing
PC3010: Demonstrating Effectiveness in Policing
PC3011: Traditional Service Delivery
PC3012: Contemporary Challenges
PC3013: Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)

PC3002: Demonstrating Efficiencies in Policing

During this module, you'll develop and demonstrate problem-solving and research skills by carrying out a detailed research project based on one of the core policing areas. The specific area of study will be decided upon through a discussion with university staff and where relevant, partner police forces.

PC3010: Demonstrating Effectiveness in Policing

The module will draw on previous learning and personal development to identify how you'll utilise the skills of communication, leadership, and reflective practice within an information community setting. This module will you to be able to view, assess, analyse, and disseminate your interpretation of third-party public or media perception of a police-related incident.

Course delivery

This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.

100%Face-to-face

Please note the delivery information for this course is accurate for the academic year 2023/24. The information displayed in this section may not yet accurately reflect how the course will be delivered in 2024/25 but this information will be updated by October 2023.

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.

Visit us this autumn

Discover our facilities, explore campus and talk to academic staff and students about the courses you want to study at one of our autumn Open Days.

Book an Open Day

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In my first year, we studied recent police case studies in particular The Baby P case, a child cruelty case but treated with sensitivity by the lecturers. The highlight of my first year has been the module on policing operations which focuses on street policing.

Daniel Gurgee

BSc (Hons) Professional Policing
United Kingdom

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.

This Professional Policing university degree course will put students like you on a career path in policing. The modules that you will study meet the national curriculum for the police constable role. This leads to a unique qualification recognised by the police service as a mandatory entry route into the police service.

No university qualification is a guarantee of employment. But, you will have gained a vital qualification that makes you eligible to apply as soon as you have graduated.

All the legal and procedural knowledge and skills that you gain are also valued in a range of places. This includes organisations and bodies across the Criminal Justice System and related disciplines. We are always available to provide advice on alternative career paths. Whether within the wider police family or further afield.

Fees and funding

2023/24

Full-time£9,250 per year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£14,900 per year

2024/25

Full-time£9,250 per year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£16,500 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

Care Leaver Bursary
Our Care Leaver Bursary is for students who need extra support because they have been in care or are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Care Leaver Bursary
Estranged student support
Estranged Student Support Bursary is for students who need extra support because they are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Estranged student support
Dependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 
Find out more about Dependants Bursary
Contextualised Admissions Bursary
We recognise that the last two years have been very challenging for young people and learning has been impacted. To help support students eligible for a contextualised offer we are offering a bursary of £250 in their first year of study.
Find out more about Contextualised Admissions Bursary

You will learn through a variety of formats, including tutorials and lectures. This gets coupled with practical sessions to help you develop real-world policing skills. You’ll also have the chance handle various emergencies and crises in our Hydra Minerva immersive training simulator.

As you progress through the course modules, we will assess your performance. This ensures that you are meeting the high standards expected of you by the police, using a combination of:

Exams
Coursework
Role play
Practical exams
Presentations

Throughout the course you’ll have access to fantastic facilities. Our Hydra Minerva Suite gets used by students and professionals alike to train for disaster scenarios. Similar facilities get used to train police forces all over the world. It simulates the sights, sounds, radio messages and telephone calls of disaster management control centres. This allows you to take part in realistic recreations of everything from plane crashes to the search for a missing child. It was developed for use by students within the areas of Policing, Forensic, Business, Sports and Psychology.

If your ambition is to become a police constable in England and Wales, you must join the Police Service in England and Wales as a police officer. And, you must be successful in many recruitment stages.

One of these is the Police SEARCH® Recruit Assessment Centre. This is a rigorous and standardised process, involving observation of your performance across a variety of exercises. This will assess your potential to perform well in the role of a police officer.

Interested?

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This course is based in the School of Law and Policing

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

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Professional Policing

Why study with us

A day in the life of a Policing student