Professional Policing (Pre-Join) - BA Hons Degree

The typical offer for this programme is 80-112 points in an appropriate discipline:

• A levels - BCC-CDD to exclude General Studies 
• DMM - MMP from Extended Diploma 
• Minimum of 5 GCSEs including English and mathematics at grade C/4 or above
• International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 29 overall including 5 or above in English at standard level
• Pass Access to HE Diploma in related discipline

Candidates need to understand that successful completion of the BA(Hons) in Profession of Policing (Pre-join) programme does not guarantee entry to any Police Service in England and Wales. It essential that students considering this course and a career in the police service should make themselves aware of the eligibility criteria as well as the Police Code of Ethics

If you want to join the Police Service in England and Wales as a police constable, you must successfully undertake a number of recruitment stages. One of these is the Police SEARCH® Recruit Assessment Centre (more details can be found here). The Police SEARCH® Recruit Assessment Centre is a rigorous and standardised process involving observation of a candidate's performance across a variety of exercises, to assess their potential to perform the role of a police constable effectively and is used by forces to
ensure they recruit to meet their resourcing demands.

Applicants who are able to demonstrate relevant work/life skills or knowledge will also be considered on an individual basis

The programme is designed to put the work of the police constable in a contemporary context, allowing students to understand the legal and regulatory requirements of policing and how the police service is moving forward strategically.

You will gain insight into the issues of diversity, equality and human rights and how this impacts on your day-to-day conduct in the service. You will also learn how to gather evidence, how to deal sensitively with victims of and witnesses to crime as well as how to assess, respond and problem solve in frontline situations.

You will explore the criminal justice system and  how your work as a police officer is a critical part of this process. There will also be the opportunity to research more specific avenues of policing such as counter-terrorism and community policing with an emphasis on your role in public protection.

By the end of the course, we envisage that our students will have all the core competencies necessary to apply to become a police constable, with the knowledge, experience and behaviours to pave the way to success.

Scheduled Learning

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

Placement

Many of the degree programmes at B&FC incorporate opportunities for work placements to provide you with the opportunity to link your studies to relevant professional practice in a real work environment. Our programme teams are able to offer support in securing an appropriate work placement where it forms part of your programme, and will work closely with you during the placement to ensure that the opportunity allows you to develop personally, professionally and academically.

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

It is envisioned that graduates will go onto seek a career in one of the 43 Police Forces in England and Wales or associated agency such at the British Transport Police. As well as preparing students for a career in the police service it will open the door to many other related careers in the police which could include, Custody Detention Officer, Police Control Room Operator, Police Community Support Officer, Intelligence Officer, Police Staff Investigator and many other related careers or further study. The BA (Hons) in Professional Policing (Pre Join) programme has a currency of 5 years following validation.

As employability is key to the programme you will also be able to gain employment with a range of formal and informal agencies across public, private and voluntary sectors such as central and local government, The Prison Service, The Home Office, The National Crime Agency and National Criminal Intelligence Service and welfare charities. Specific job roles outside the Police you may progress into include: Case Review Manager, Court Clerk, Community Worker, Immigration Officer, Fraud Investigator, Human Rights Officer, Border Control Officer, Prison Officer, Probation Officer, Youth and Community Worker and work in youth justice. Graduates are also prepared for work in a range of social welfare and social care posts, such as Social Worker, Drug Rehabilitation worker, Housing Officer and Victim Support.

Please note: Completion of this degree does not guarantee the opportunity for recruitment into the police service. Recruitment process, selection policy, and vary from force to force. Those planning a career in the police are advised to check eligibility criteria as set out by individual police services.