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 . You'll gain a degree which can lead into the police or a related career. Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP). This is a traditional entry route and consists of 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. Find out more in our how to become a police officer guide .

Professional Policing Practice Degree Apprenticeship

Interested? See

Attendance

Campus

Start

Duration

3 years

Start

June 2025

Delivery

In-person

Studying and achieving the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship is an approved entry route into a career in the Police. We currently work in partnership with Cumbria and Lancashire Constabularies to deliver this apprenticeship.

We work with both Cumbria and Lancashire Constabulary to deliver the Policing Constable Degree Apprenticeship. You will need to apply to your preferred constabulary, to find our more information on vacancies, entry requirements and applications visit:

This course provides you with the experience, knowledge and tools to help your development into a police officer. The programme is a paid, full-time job with a police force while you study towards a degree. You'll develop the skills to serve communities, reduce crime, and make a positive difference.

We are a College of Policing validated university. The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programme is run in partnership with police trainers.

You’ll develop critical thinking, learning and research skills. You’ll learn how to make ethical decisions, resolve conflicts, analyse evidence, respond appropriately in high-stress environments and communicate effectively with victims, witnesses and suspects.

Why study with us

You'll combine a paid full time job in the police force with a degree qualification, preparing you for a career in the police.
You'll benefit from a range of outstanding facilities including our Hydra Minerva simulation suite, crime scene village and moot courtroom.
Our academic staff are experienced across a wide variety of policing and justice areas and work closely with police trainers for the duration of the programme.

Interested?

Download

Why choose the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship?

The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship lets you work full-time with a police force while studying. You’ll earn a BSc (Hons) in Professional Policing Practice while working as a police officer from day one.

You’ll earn a salary, gain real experience, and apply your learning in live policing situations. This builds your confidence and practical skills as you go.

The three-year course is also fully funded by your police force and the government.

You’ll be supported by experienced police officers and academic staff throughout your training. We work closely with police forces to make sure the course is up to date and meets the needs of modern policing.

When you graduate, you’ll be a fully qualified police constable ready to start your career in the police, or move into areas like investigations, cybercrime or public protection.

Who is this course for?

The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship is for individuals who have been recruited to one of our partnership constabularies and are ready to take on the challenge of becoming a confident, forward-thinking Police Constable.

This programme is for those committed to public service and ready to meet the demands of modern policing. The role of a Police Constable is more important than ever. It requires strong personal qualities and a clear sense of responsibility.

It’s ideal for people who are:

Emotionally intelligent and resilient
Quick-thinking and able to make sound decisions
Adaptable and eager to learn
Ethical, professional and accountable

As a warranted officer, you’ll have the authority to make lawful decisions. This includes detaining individuals and must be used with care and good judgment.

Policing involves working with diverse communities, handling sensitive cases and supporting people in crisis. You’ll need to manage complex legal and social situations while acting with integrity.

This is a demanding but meaningful career where you can make a real difference. You'll apply what you've learnt to serve and protect in today’s changing world.

What you'll do

On this Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, you’ll receive practical on-the-job learning, alongside academic theory and knowledge, while earning a wage.
You’ll develop the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills and behaviours required to carry out the role of a Police Constable.
You’ll learn to apply a wide range and depth of skills, knowledge and behaviours to many different and increasingly complex policing contexts.

Modules

Teaching and learning methodology will comprise of a blend of lectures and seminars, along with workplace learning. The balance of these learning opportunities will be achieved in close cooperation with the employer and focus on providing protected time for academic learning along with the consolidation of learning in the workplace. Assessment methods will test academic development and practical development in the workplace. Assignments will test the apprentice’s knowledge of law and procedure, the ability to write critically and analytically, as well as assessing practical and problem-solving skills relevant to the police constable role through activity and presentations in the workplace

Module code: FZ2653

Module code: FZ2654

Reflect on your performance over the whole degree, with a focus on the finalisation of your Operational Competence Portfolio. You'll gain the knowledge and skills essential to complete the End Point Assessment. Successful completion of the OCP and all other academic elements allows you to pass through the ‘gateway’ to the End Point Assessment. You cannot undertake the End Point Assessment until this module has been successfully completed.

Module code: PC3007

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. We may also make changes 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.

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. You'll gain a degree which can lead into the police or a related career.
Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP). This is a traditional entry route and consists of 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.

Find out more in our how to become a police officer guide.

CSI Village

Moot Court Room

Hydra Minerva Suite

The Library (Preston Campus)

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre

Professional qualifications

Recognised Degree Apprenticeship Scheme, approved by The College of Policing.

Academic expertise

Our policing department has an excellent reputation in the sector and attracts the best staff from both academic and operational policing backgrounds. They have a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience.

Over 40 experienced staff provide skills and expertise relevant to the subject area. This ranges from general operational policing, criminological and sociological issues to expert knowledge, skills and practice across a range of specialisms. Our teaching staff are also dedicated to improving the learning and skills of each student, developing your individual critical thinking and communication skills.

Lecturer in Policing

Lecturer

Lecturer

Lecturer

Entry requirements

Minimum qualifications:

Admission will follow successful appointment as a Police Constable
Recruitment is via a National Assessment Centre process
Candidates will be interviewed locally to assess their suitability for the role and academic study
Applicants will have level 3 qualifications where the grades total 96 UCAS points or higher
Applicants will be required to have Maths and English GCSE at Grade C or equivalent
Applications for non-standard entry will be considered from applicants who demonstrate equivalent professional training or work experience

This course will involve you working with vulnerable groups of individuals, this may include children. In order to ensure that the University offers places on their programmes to suitable candidates you will be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB).

We will be able to guide you through this process once you have been offered a conditional place of study at the University of Central Lancashire.

It is important to note that should your Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prove to be unsatisfactory for the purpose of the course you have applied to, your offer of a place for that course may be withdrawn. If you have already enrolled on a course and your DBS check subsequently discloses a criminal conviction, you may be required to withdraw from the course even if you have already started. If you are aware that your DBS check will disclose a previous conviction, please contact the course leader for advice as not all convictions may preclude you from continuing with the course.

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

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary
We offer a range of support and services to help all apprentices, but you may need a little extra assistance if you have been in Local Authority care and don’t have support from your parents. Find out more about our Care Leaver Bursary for our Degree Apprentice students.
Find out more about Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

You will already be a serving police officer when completing this programme. On completion, you will be ideally placed for further progression within your organisation. You can then look to move into higher ranks and specialisation in many fields.

Policing offers a wide variety of interesting roles. You could choose to remain in the response policing role or move into areas such as criminal investigation, child protection, community policing, armed response, cyber investigations or many more exciting roles unique to policing.

All apprentices complete end-point assessment (EPA). This assesses all the knowledge, skills and behaviours you have learnt throughout your apprenticeship.

It’s taken at the very end of the on-programme phase of the degree when your employer and the University are satisfied that you have met all the course requirements related to both the apprenticeship standard and degree assessment.

End-point-assessments are graded, and in addition to your degree qualification, you will be awarded an apprenticeship certificate on successful completion of your EPA.

The University has many learning resources both on and off campus. This includes online access to other libraries and information services (which may be closer to you) through schemes such as SCONUL Access and an Inter-Library Loans Service.

There’s also an information skills training programme, IT help and advice from LIS Customer Support.

And you’ll be able to remotely link to the university’s network account, the library's electronic resources and some core software applications.

Interested?

Download

This course is delivered by 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 Lancashire on our student contract page

Your saved courses

Professional Policing Practice

Why study with us

Why choose the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship?

Who is this course for?

What you'll do

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Frequently asked questions

View the course facilities

Professional qualifications

Academic expertise

Entry requirements

Minimum qualifications:

Scholarships and bursaries

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

Professional Policing Practice

Why study with us

Why choose the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship?

Who is this course for?

What you'll do

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Frequently asked questions

How can I become a police officer?

How do I apply for a Degree Apprenticeship?

View the course facilities

Professional qualifications

Academic expertise

Entry requirements

Minimum qualifications:

Scholarships and bursaries

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

Future career and job role

Learning and end point assessment