BSc (Hons) Professional Policing

The BSc (Hons) Professional Policing 3-year degree will provide you with professional knowledge of the ethics, skills and attitudes that are critical to twenty-first-century policing. The course has been designed to meet the requirements of the College of Policing National Curriculum for the role of a Police Constable under the National Policing Education Qualifications Framework. We are licensed by the College of Policing to offer the Pre-join Degree in Professional Policing - a qualification recognised by police services that is achieved prior to recruitment. A range of key topics will be studied in the area of crime, criminology, law, terrorism, associated psychology, sociology and criminal investigation. You will also learn through realistic scenarios and the use of a crime scene suite or pop-up facilities*. The course is enriched by optional modules, giving you the opportunity to look deeper into issues such as Cybercrime or Forensic and Criminal Psychology. This course is perfect for students with an interest in working in policing, security or the criminal justice sector, or looking to study at the Master's level. In the 2021 National Student Survey, the University of Law has been ranked first amongst universities in England for the category of 'teaching on my course'. We have an overall 5 Stars rating from QS World University Rankings and 5 stars in Teaching, Employability, Online Learning, Academic Development and Inclusiveness.

Please note: the degree has a currency of 5 years following graduation for recruitment into policing, and you must still apply to the police force and satisfy their eligibility criteria. Interested students should contact the Police Service for more information.

*Facilities vary by campus.

Course Structure

Year 1: 31 study weeks

Semester 1

• Understanding the Police Constable Role and Professional Standards
• The Criminal Justice System, Key Legislation, Offences and Civil Matters
• Foundation for Operational Policing Skills: Decision Making, Discretion and Problem Solving

Semester 2

• Core Principles of Evidence-Based Policing, Information and Intelligence
• Introduction to Vulnerability and Risk
• Introduction to Criminology, Crime Prevention and Key Psychological Concepts

Year 2: 30 study weeks

Semester 1

• Public Protection: Understanding Abuse and Impact
• Community Policing, Antisocial Behaviour and Introduction to Road Policing
• Information, Intelligence and Digital Policing

Semester 2

• Response Policing and Police Investigations
• Custody, Interview and Criminal Justice

Choose one*:

• Cybercrime
• Forensic and Criminal Psychology
• Youth and Crime
• Zemiology (Social Harms)

*All options are indicative and subject to availability.

Year 3: 30 study weeks

Semester 1

• Research Methods/Dissertation (double module)
• Responding to Major and Critical Incidents
• Supporting those at Risk of Harm & Victims of Internet-facilitated crimes

Semester 2

• Research Methods/Dissertation (double module)
• Investigating Serious Crime, Understanding Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime
• Counter-Terrorism and Advanced Road Policing

Assessment

Assessments are spread out throughout the duration of the BSc (Hons) Professional Policing course, rather than having lots of exams at the end of the year. This means at the end of each semester, you have a revision/consolidation week followed by two weeks for assessment in each module.

A wide range of assessment methods will be used across all modules to ensure that all programme outcomes can be demonstrated by students. These include unseen essay -ype exams, Knowledge and Reasoning Exams, Mock Scenarios, Reflective & Critical Essays, Posters, Case Studies.

This variety of approaches reflects more closely the practical focus of the programme, and the assessment instruments test more accurately and with greater realism the knowledge, skills and attributes required of students. It also helps to remove barriers to some students who might perform better in different types of assessments.

In each module, students will have the benefit of a formative assessment aligned to the methodology of the particular summative assessment. Additional formative assessment of knowledge and understanding will take place through the regular activities within workshops.

Course Requirements

• BBC at A Level and Grade C/4 or above in GCSE English Language or equivalent qualifications.
• Students who will be under the age of 18 but no younger than 17 at the commencement of the course are permitted.
• International requirements: An English language level equivalent to IELTS 6.5 or above with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.

Career Path

Policing or wider security and criminal justice sector.

How to Apply

Applications for all our undergraduate courses are open.

Fees

Sep 2024

• UK - £9,250 per annum / International - £17.550 per annum (London), £16,700 (non-London)
• Fees are locked for future study years i.e. the student will pay the same price each year.