Overview
Get prepared for a career in policing with a Professional Policing degree from Canterbury Christ Church University.
Our degree in Professional Policing will teach you the specialist and transferable skills needed for you to succeed in your future career. Licensed by the College of Policing, our Policing degree will physically, emotionally, and mentally prepare you for a life-long career in a range of sectors.
With a police degree from CCCU, you'll gain the confidence and vital skills needed to work within difficult and time-pressured situations. With our modern simulation facilities, you can fully immerse yourself in a professional setting with our Criminal Justice suite, interview rooms, cells, and the Hydra Suite.
You'll learn how to confidently use key databases and software that are relevant to research and professional knowledge, such as the Police National Legal Database. Not only will you critically engage through academic material, but you'll also learn through a practical lens, giving you the graduate edge.
This four-year degree includes a built-in foundation year, which will provide you with a supportive gateway to higher education. This year will set you up for degree-level study for when you progress into Year 1.
What's more, this course complies with the Policing Education Qualifications Framework and embeds the optimised National Policing Curriculum, so you can rest assure that you are choosing a qualification that reflects a high quality and progressive curriculum.
This dynamic and innovative degree will set you up for a variety of career pathways including the civil service, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, and the National Crime Agency to name just a few. With a curriculum that prioritises employability and practical learning, you'll graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to enter a range of professions.
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate.
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of our Policing students were in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course
Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024There is really good interaction. The lecturers engage with the students. They don't just give a lecture; they get us involved, allowing us to form our own opinions.Nikki, Policing student
Entry requirements
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UCAS Tariff Points
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | DDE |
| BTEC | MPP |
| Access | Pass 45 Credits |
| International Baccalaureate | TBC |
Entry requirements for students wanting to enter the police force
Students enrolling on BSc (Hons) Professional Policing with the intention of joining the police service on graduation are strongly encouraged to consider the police entry requirements (e.g. security vetting, health and fitness) before applying for entry on to the degree.
Although the course meets the Police Constable entry requirements, the completion does not guarantee entry to a police service post. It is important that prospective students make the necessary enquiries with police services and/or their General Practitioner (GP) regarding entry requirements for employment and are aware of any implications for pre-existing medical conditions, criminal records or cautions. Levels of fitness are the applicant’s responsibility.
Further entry information
We welcome applications from students with non-traditional qualifications and from low participation neighbourhoods. In such circumstances, where a student does not fully meet traditional criteria, flexibility is provided by assessing suitability by way of a face-to-face interview with the Course Director and examining a sample of previously written work provided by the student. Please contact the programme team to discuss.
More information
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Module information
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate. Alongside the modules below you will choose from our new curriculum that will help you achieve student success, engage with contemporary topics and work with industry or the community.
As well as the core modules, you will also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. This will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module and staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular option module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
Core/optional modules
*Modules subject to approval
How you’ll learn
The academic year is divided into two semesters. In the first year, you will be given the opportunity to settle into University by undertaking three ‘micro-credential’ modules right at the beginning of the year – you will be able to choose which ones you do. You will then do two more modules in each semester. In Year 2, you will do three modules in Semester 1 and 2 modules in Semester 2. In Year 3, where we offer you optionality to specialise, you will undertake three modules in the first semester and two modules in the second semester.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical workshops. You will typically have around 12 contact hours per week. However, your actual contact hours depend on the option modules you select and specific activities prepared for you.
Seminars in smaller groups will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures. We have made sure that teaching is not only done in a classroom setting and you will take part in practical exercises throughout this course. In addition, you will meet with your personal academic tutor (PAT), who will be able to assist you with any queries or problems that you may have. They will also be able to signpost you to any of the University services should you need them.
In addition to attending timetabled sessions, you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves keeping up to date with news and events related to policing, reading journal articles and books, engaging with recommended readings, completing research tasks in preparation for sessions, interacting with other students and staff on the University's virtual learning environment, and working on assessments.
Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.
This is a full-time course and so the expectation is that you will spend the equivalent of full-time working hours dedicated to it. However, the way you manage these hours is up to you. You will have scheduled sessions (typically 12 hours per week) and in addition, there will be field trips and other structured activities you will be able to undertake. You will also be encouraged to think about extracurricular activities to boost your employability.
The teaching team consists of highly qualified academics and practitioners, and many are former police officers. They have a range of expertise and experience in policing, security, criminology, psychology, politics, and beyond.
All our team members hold doctoral and/or teaching qualifications. Many are research-active and have experience in delivering research-informed teaching.
Postgraduate students sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules and practical sessions are supported by specialist technicians. However, experienced academics teach the majority of lectures and seminars. We also invite expert speakers to provide you with insights from criminal justice professions.
In the BSc Professional Policing, you will be taught by a range of experienced academics and current or former law enforcement practitioners. They will provide you with, not only a sound academic basis for your studies but will also be able to share their knowledge 'from the field' with you. Many of our staff also engage in high-quality critical research and bring their insights into their teaching. In this course, you will receive a sound and well-rounded experience that will set you up for a successful career in law enforcement.Michel FunicelliCourse Director
How you’ll be assessed
The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Some modules contain a piece of practice or 'formative' assessment for which you can receive feedback from your module tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. You will also be able to gain formative feedback through discussions with a module leader or a personal academic tutor. You will be able to access centrally-run services (e.g. Study Skills Support) for more help with assessments.
There is a formal or 'summative' assessment for all of the modules. Assessment methods include a range of coursework and examination assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, or your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark. Our summative assessments were designed with you at the centre – and so, they not only test for University level learning but also industry relevant skills. We make sure that the way you learn but also the way you are assessed, are in line with the expectations placed on you in your future employment.
Your future career
BSc (Hons) Policing has been designed to prepare you for a policing career which is becoming ever more specialist. Private policing is expanding and public policing is going through a dynamic professionalisation process. However, if you do not want a career in Policing, you will also be able to use the knowledge from the course towards other careers in law enforcement. For example, you could consider a career with HM Prison Service or Border Force, or within the criminal justice field, in the civil service, local government, community safety organisations, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, and the private sector security industry.
In addition, there are a number charitable and voluntary organisations working with the criminal justice sector and vulnerable groups, such as Victim Support, Mind, Shelter, Nacro, The Prince’s Trust, Porchlight, Barnardo’s etc, offering suitable job opportunities.
The knowledge and skills that you will gain are transferable to a wide range of other careers.
Many of our students also choose to continue their education by undertaking postgraduate degrees with us or at other institutions before embarking on a career.
We host an annual Employability Fair where our students can network with experts from a range of fields and careers and gain top tips for progressing to graduate roles.
Throughout your time studying us you will have access to our Careers and Enterprise team who offer a wide range of services and support to help you kick start your career and meet your goals.
The course is ideal for anyone aiming for a career within the police service as well as those looking to go into other roles within the law enforcement and security sector. The course material provides students with all the necessary knowledge as well as the necessary skills for the practical application of it within a working environment. The staff themselves have a vast knowledge from their own careers within policing, allowing them to provide invaluable guidance to the students.AlexPolicing student
Related courses
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time - Foundation Year 0 | £9,535 | £15,500 |
| Full-time - years 1-3 | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
The tuition fees relate to 2025/26 only. Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
Home (UK) tuition fees for Foundation Years at Canterbury Christ Church University will be set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for foundation years in classroom-based subjects or non-classroom based subjects, as set by the UK Government.
Home (UK) tuition fees for subsequent years 1-3 are currently set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for standard undergraduate degrees set by the UK Government.
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 onwards, our undergraduate home tuition fees for subsequent years of study are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Entry routes to the Police and the College of Policing License
Policing became a graduate profession in 2020, and gaining a level 6 qualification (a Bachelor’s degree) will be a requirement for the office of Police Constable. There are three different entry routes to the police:
- Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship: 'earn while you learn', you join the police and study for your degree during the three-year probationer period
- Degree Holder Entry Programme: aimed at people holding any other degree than #3 below who enter the police. You are expected to study for two-year graduate diploma in policing once you start
- A pre-join Degree in Professional Policing: a specific programme that is licensed by College of Policing and incorporates the National Policing Curriculum
We offer the Pre-join Degree in Professional Policing, which embeds the National Policing Curriculum and is validated by the College of Policing
The degree has a currency of 5 years following graduation for recruitment into policing. This means that your degree allows you to apply to the Police Constable role through the ‘Pre-Join Degree in Professional Policing’ route up to 5 years after graduation. Any later than that, and it will no longer qualify, this is because professional policing requires candidates to maintain an up to date knowledge and understanding of current policing issues and practices.
Specialist facilities
Our School has invested significantly in a Hydra suite that will allow our students to simulate policing scenarios under ‘close-to-real’ conditions. We see this as a major advantage to our students who will be able to directly experience highly realistic policing incidents, situations and scenarios as part of their integrated learning. In addition, we offer bespoke facilities such as a custody suite and interview rooms, to provide opportunities for experiential learning where possible.
Industry links
We have good links with a number of police services both locally and further afield, including Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Kent and the Metropolitan Police, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and the Police Service of The Netherlands. We also have links with a wide range of community and voluntary agencies. We are part of the Police Education Consortium along with Middlesex University, the University of Cumbria and the University of Portsmouth, working collaboratively to deliver transformational police education.
Our University is experienced in developing partnerships and we have good links with police services locally as well as international connections with police academies and colleges in the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia and Lithuania.
As well as the option of entering the police service, our degree will also prepare you for other justice related public sector employment including the Border Force, UK Visas and Immigration, HM Prison and Probation Service, offender rehabilitation, the civil service, fire and rescue services and the armed forces. You could also go on to a career in areas such as crime and policing research, criminal psychology and police governance (police and crime commissioners).
Staff case study
The writing team behind Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students, led by Professor Robin Bryant, are largely from Canterbury Christ Church University. The book has been used by the majority of police services in England and Wales as the core text for new recruits into the police service and it is key reading for students on pre-join policing programmes in universities across the country. Contributors from the School include several members of staff who also teach on the Policing programmes. The Handbook reflects the multitude of avenues into policing now open to future police officers, from pre-join courses to progression from serving as a special constable or working as a Police Community Support Officer.
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*We are advertising this course as ‘subject to approval.’ When we add new courses or update existing courses, we advertise the course as ‘subject to approval’. We do this to let you know the University still needs to agree to run the course. It is rare for a course not to gain approval, but it is not guaranteed. There may be changes to course and module titles, content and assessment, but we will tell you about these if there is a change. You can still apply to study a course subject to approval. We have prepared some questions and answers to tell you more.