Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

Entry Requirements

Level 2 Entry Requirements

The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship is funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, who set a requirement that all apprentices have a level 2 qualification in both maths and English. Standard level 2 qualifications include GCSE grade C/4 and above, Functional Skills Level 2 pass and Key Skills Level 2 pass.

There are many other acceptable level 2 qualifications that you can view on the ESFA website. 

The ESFA provide strict guidance on acceptable evidence of qualifications that we must adhere to, so please ensure you have a copy of your certificates before applying.  

Lost your certificates? You can order a replacement certificate or certifying statement of results from the awarding body. 

Level 3 Entry Requirements

Academic study for the PCDA starts at level 4. We want to ensure that you succeed and therefore require you to evidence your capability to progress your study up to degree level. To show this, you’ll need a level 3 qualification that’s worth a minimum of 64 UCAS points. You can check what your qualifications equate to using the UCAS calculator.  

Can’t see your qualifications on the calculator? Don’t worry, we’re aware that many aren’t listed. Please send them to us at policerecruitment@staffs.ac.uk and we can attribute the UCAS points for you. 

If you have an International Qualification, please send a copy of your certificate and transcript to us at policerecruitment@staffs.ac.uk and we’ll confirm it’s comparable to a UK qualification. Once confirmed, you’ll need to request a Statement of Comparability that includes a maths and English (studied as a first language) level 2 comparison. Please note that there is a charge for a Statement of Comparability.  

Have you had a break in education or don’t have a level 3 qualification? Find out about our Step Up to Policing course, which, once successfully completed, provides you with the level 3 academic criteria for the PCDA. Designed to be flexible, the course is taught via distance learning, delivered online one day a week for ten weeks.

Other Entry Requirements

• UK driving licence – You must hold a current UK driving licence to work on patrol. Some forces may allow entry with a provisional driving license, you’ll need to check with the force you’d like to apply to.    
• Age – You can apply from the age of 17 but you must be 18 on appointment. If you’re under the age of 18 then you may only be allowed to progress so far in the process, depending on the force that you apply to. There is no upper age limit. You can only apply to one police force at a time.
• Nationality/Residential status – You must have been resident in the UK for a minimum of three years before applying for the police, and have no restrictions on your visa. You may be asked to provide proof of your settlement status and right to work in the UK.
• Exclusions - Potential exclusions apply, including if you are unable to meet the minimum medical requirements, have CCJs, are a member of the BNP/Combat 18/National Front, or you or a family member have been convicted of certain crimes. Always be honest and declare everything on your application form. Read more about the vetting process. 

Studying on the PCDA

Assessment

There are a number of elements that make up the assessment for the Degree Apprenticeship Standard, including:

• Degree assessment i.e. formal assessment of the degree modules.
• ‘On-programme’ assessment of operational competence.
• A work-based project i.e. part of the degree and an important element of the apprenticeship’s ‘end-point assessment.’
• A summative ‘end-point assessment’, which includes a review of the work-based project and the evidence produced as part of the ‘on-programme’ assessment of operational competence.

University checks

On successful completion of your online assessment, your details will be provided to the Recruitment Development Officers here at the University of Staffordshire. We will undertake checks to confirm that you are eligible for the PCDA using an online digital learning platform called Aptem. 

Here’s the process for your eligibility checks:

1. We’ll create your account on Aptem and send you an invite via email. 

• • You’ll set up your digital signature and fill in your contact details. 

  • We require you to upload a form of identification – passport, driving license, birth certificate, BRP etc.  

• • You’ll be asked to upload evidence of your highest qualification(s) and your level 2 math’s and English qualifications. Please ensure that images are clear, legible and that the whole document is visible (including all edges). Evidence should ideally be in the form of original certificates issued by the awarding body. 

  • If your ID or certificates are in a different name, please also upload evidence of Proof of Name Change, such as marriage certificate or deed poll. 

  • You’ll be required to provide additional personal information including your Nationality, Residence Status and previous training.   

  • We will then conduct our apprenticeship compliance checks and ULN checks (Unique Learner Number).

2. When we receive confirmation from the police that you have been made an offer of employment, and accepted, we will contact you to complete the next steps of your university application. 

• • Step 2 is your Initial Needs Assessment that you’ll complete via Aptem. This is a learning journey tool used to evidence your need for the learning and training that’s provided by the apprenticeship to the ESFA. 

  • You’ll be provided with a set of statements regarding your knowledge, skills and behaviours and will be asked to rate yourself against each one. This is not a test but an assessment to show that the apprenticeship will be beneficial for you.    

Once your INA has been reviewed and signed off, and we have confirmation from the force that you will be starting on the next cohort, your Training Plan will be issued. This document provides evidence of eligibility for the apprenticeship and summarises the schedule, funding, roles and responsibilities of those involved. It outlines your learning journey throughout the course. You’ll need to read the information carefully then sign. The Training Plan will also be signed by a member of the university and a representative of the police.