collageProfessional Policing
BA (Hons)
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Key Facts
Apply Now via UCASStart Dates:Feb,OctAttendance:Full-time | Part-time | Part-time dayCourse Level:UndergraduateDuration:3 YearsUCAS Code:L720Campus Location:University Square Campus, LutonDownload Course SpecificationApply Now
About the course
By joining the police service, you’re making a real difference. This course – licensed by the College of Policing – opens up life-changing opportunities to develop personally and professionally.
The Professional Policing degree allows you to develop the knowledge and skills that underpin police work while preparing you for the challenges police officers face. Following the College of Policing curriculum, it combines theory, law and vocational experience (if you choose to be a volunteer or Special Constable) to give you a thorough understanding of modern policing.
The course explores the complexities of crime, crime control and the effects of crime on the individual and communities as well as specific areas of study such as offender management, victim support and public prosecution; criminal legislation; community policing; safeguarding; and mental health and offending.
Why choose this course?
- Study a curriculum designed and licensed by the College of Policing as part of the Police Education Qualifications Framework
- Learn from a specialist multi-disciplinary teaching team which includes former police officers, social workers, mental health workers, forensic scientists and safeguarding practitioners
- Develop your problem-solving skills through investigating the complexities of the police role; current and emerging issues; and the demands on the police and their wider partners
- Benefit from volunteering opportunities, supported by your tutors
- Extend your knowledge and skills through our guest lectures and workshops
- Once you graduate, you can apply for a role as a police constable within a Home Office force in England and Wales, with many future opportunities to specialise and progress
- A degree in Policing equips you with skills and knowledge that transfer to other career paths and sectors
Find out more about the course from Course Leaders Russ and Jonathan
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We support you every step of the way
We offer a Merit Scholarship, worth £2,400* over 3 academic years, which is awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, through scoring 112 UCAS tariff points or more.
Unit Information – What will I learn?
How will I be assessed?
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Why Study in the School of Applied Social Sciences?
- Courses developed in partnership with practice agencies
- Our research involving robots, shows that they can improve mental health and loneliness in the elderly
- Part of the SASS change makers initiative
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 80 points with 64 points from 2 A level passes at C or above
- At least 80 points with 64 from Merit Merit in two BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas or one BTEC Diploma
- At least 80 points with Merit Merit Pass in the BTEC Extended Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
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Where students do not have relevant level 3 qualifications but do have industry or work related skills and experience, they can still apply for a place on the course if they can demonstrate through application and interview appropriate knowledge, skills and commitment as part of our RPL policy.
How will this course enhance my career prospects?
Police recruitment and training is radically changing. Future Police Constables will require either a degree or to be working towards a degree on an apprenticeship programme. This ‘Pre-Join’ degree will make you eligible to apply for a role as a Police Constable upon graduation.
The Degree in Professional Policing does not lead to a guaranteed job with a Police Service. It does allow you to apply with a degree licensed by The College of Policing and you will gain the skills and knowledge that will support your progression into the Police Service of England and Wales. You will leave with knowledge and skills that are vital for modern day policing such as communication skills, decision making and critical thinking. The Pre-Join degree in Professional Policing offers transferrable knowledge and skills that are required in careers in other sectors including the Prison Service, Border Force or Probation services or alternatively within the private sector working on Investigations or Security matters.
Upon graduation you will have 5 years to apply and be accepted for a role as a Police Constable in a Home Office Police Service if that is what you decide to do. You will get support and advice from the Careers Team and also your course team. Currently the application stages may include the following
- The application
- Interview
- Attendance at a National Selection Centre
- Medical and Biometric testing
- Fitness Tests
- Security Vetting
Police Forces in England and Wales have different recruitment processes, rules and regulations it is, therefore, crucial that you consider these when choosing to study this degree. Please speak to your local Police force for further information and guidance. We encourage students to become Special Constable’s or other voluntary role whilst you study with us, but this is not mandatory and will not be detrimental to your study. To help students undertake voluntary roles every Friday is off timetable. We have discussed voluntary positions with Bedfordshire Police and will be able to support you through the process of applying to Beds/Cambs/Herts Police. Other opportunities involve the ‘ride along’ scheme, custody lay visitor and member of the Stop and Search scrutiny panel.
There are restrictions on who is eligible for a role as a Police Constable and this is why it is important to consider and check;
- Age
- Nationality
- Qualifications
- Criminal record
- Tattoos
- Financial Status
- Physical Fitness
- Health
- Eyesight
Further Information can be obtained by your local force area or speak to your teaching team. More information can be obtained from the following national websites.
- recruit.college.police.uk/Officer/Pages/eligibility.aspx
- www.joiningthepolice.co.uk
- www.bedfordshire.police.uk/apply/Recruitment-and-volunteering/Police-officers
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
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Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There’s a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students’ applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
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