Staffordshire University and Policing

Do you want a career with the police but don’t know which is the best route to take?

From 2020, all new Police Constables will need to hold a degree level qualification – but don’t worry, at Staffordshire University, no matter what your previous experience, we have the answer for you.

Pathways into the police force

There are a number of different pathways that are designed to lead into the police force.

BSc (Hons) Professional Policing

A 3 year full time degree (with flexible study options) for applicants who wish to become a constable and learn in a University setting with specialist facilities including our crime scene house and gardens, interview suites, mock courtroom, and library facilities.

This degree will allow you to directly join the police as a police constable.

Entry requirements: Level 3 qualification equal to 112 UCAS points

Find out more about BSc (Hons) Professional Policing

Professional Policing Practice Degree Apprenticeship

 A 3 year work-based learning programme where students study alongside operational duties. These are recruited through the following police forces: Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Mercia, West Midlands.

Entry requirements: Level 2 Qualification in Maths and English (Grade C and above/4 and above) e.g. GCSE, Functional Skills and a Level 3 Qualification equal to 64 UCAS points.

Find out more about our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship

Step Up to Policing

A flexible distance learning course for those who want to pursue a policing career but don’t yet meet the entry requirements to get onto a policing programme. This course will help you to develop key academic skills and has been specifically designed for pre-degree learners who wish to progress onto a policing degree programme here at Staffordshire University.

This course will allow you to progress onto our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship or our Professional Policing pre-join degree.

Entry requirements: A minimum grade C/4 GCSE (or equivalent) in English and maths are required.

Find out more about Step Up to Policing

Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice

A 2 year programme for applicants who already possess a degree that will equip learners to succeed at graduate level. These are recruited through the following police forces: Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Mercia, West Midlands.

Entry requirements: An undergraduate degree or higher qualification in any subject. Only proof of your highest qualification certificate will be required as evidence as part of the recruitment process.  

Find out more about the Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice

BSc (Hons) Policing and Criminal Investigation

A 3 year full-time degree (with flexible study options) and opportunities for national and international work experience. This is a broader subject to lead into careers in a variety of investigative agencies such as Police forces, the National Crime Agency, border agencies, or the military.

This degree will not allow you to directly join the police as a police constable.

Entry requirements: Level 3 qualification equal to 112 UCAS Points.

Find out more about our BSc (Hons) or MSci Policing and Criminal Investigation

Concerned you might not qualify?

If you don’t have the required entry qualifications you can complete level 2 and level 3 qualifications at your local college.

Degree courses