The College of Policing (CoP), is the Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) for the police service in the United Kingdom.

The College has developed the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) by working with key stakeholder groups including staff associations, police service representatives and higher education partners.

The Professional Policing degree (sometimes referred to as the ‘pre-join’ degree) provides one of the entry routes into policing. It is a core element of the PEQF and is a professional academic knowledge-based degree based upon the national curriculum for the police constable role.

The Professional Policing degree route into policing enables entrants to gain the academic theory and knowledge of professional policing. The programme is three years in duration and will result in the successful completion of a BSc (Hons) Professional Policing Degree.

The completion of the degree course does not automatically guarantee entrance to the police service, however on the successful completion of the police selection process graduates will be subject to a two-year probationary period with the chosen police service. The degree has a currency of 5 years following graduation for recruitment into policing.

Course Overview

The BSc in Professional Policing Practice will provide students with a knowledge and understanding of key topics that are critical to effective policing in the 21st century.

The course will develop students in such a way that it will enable them to make sound decisions in even the most trying of circumstances, to consider the application of discretion when dealing with offenders, and to base policing responses upon an evidence-based considered approach.

Students will gain an understanding of criminology and crime prevention and consider what crime actually is and why people commit crime. Additionally, students will develop an understanding of Major and Critical Incident responses including terrorism and natural disaster.

Career Opportunities

The course team has developed very close links with a number of professional organisations in both the public sector and legal services fields. This has allowed for close consultation on the development of course content and the availability of unique work experience opportunities.

For those students who wish to pursue a career in the Police force then the course works closely with South Wales Police, Gwent and Dyfed Powys Police and has developed a volunteer work programme for the students to gain valuable experience and insight into the profession. This will put the students in a more advantageous position to gain employment in their chosen profession.