Professional Policing (Pre-Join) - BA (Hons)

Course Detail

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.

Entry Requirements

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

Additional Information

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

Qualification Obtained

BA (Hons) in Professional Policing (Pre Join)

Industry Placement and Field Trips

The programme follows a traditional degree structure and the modules that make up the curriculum include core or key themes that naturally interrelate and build upon previous knowledge at different stages and reflect key aspects of knowledge in the National Policing Curriculum.

A unique feature of the programme is that it is very employer focused and reflects contemporary society and the police. You will complete formative and summative assessments which will be sector focused which will include live briefs, sector simulations and real-world case studies. There are many voluntary placements which you will be encouraged strongly to access outside of normal curriculum timetable.

Students are encouraged to volunteer as a Special Police Constable to develop their practice based understanding of taught material and to prepare them for a range of employment opportunities within the police service (this is subject to meeting the requirements of Lancashire Constabulary and those set out by the Home Office). However any volunteering/ Specials placements are not a requirement for successful completion of the programme.

Learning and Teaching Methods

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.

Assessment Methods

Coursework

Most courses are assessed via a combination of coursework and exams – the percentage weighting of each of these is outlined below. Coursework might range from written tasks and assignments to the collation of a portfolio of evidence based around a work placement. Coursework differs from exams in that it is usually non-timed and carried out independently.

Exam

Exams are formal, timed written assessments, carried out in a controlled environment and overseen by one or more invigilators. They assess your grasp of the theory and underpinning knowledge related to your chosen career area. The opposite of practicals, they require you to set out your practical understanding within an academic context. Some courses have no exams – the exam/coursework ratio is outlined below.

Practical

Practical assessments identify your technical ability to apply theory to hands-on tasks in your chosen career area. They can be timed or non-timed and involve observation of your practical skills and competencies, either in a work-based environment or a dedicated College setting that closely resembles the workplace. Practical work-based assessments are supported and carried out by a trained assessor

Tuition Fees

Please click here to find out more about tuition fees for this course.

Other Costs and Equipment

Resources required to study on the programme are largely provided by the College. There are small costs associated with printing of work and posters over the duration of the course.

Students are encouraged to bring their own lap-top device to lectures, seminars and workshops, but access to computer facilities is provided by the college. A one-day conference trip to a venue in the region, including conference fee and transport, typically costs around £60/student, although this will be partially funded by the college and is also subject to discount rates offered by conference organisers for group visits.

As part of the programme, you are strongly recommended to attend external events, aimed at developing your knowledge, understanding and appreciation of course material, develop practical skills and embed theoretical concepts. There will also be the opportunity to attend Policing and Criminal Justice conferences involving law enforcement practitioners, policy-makers and academic researchers. Costs may be incurred to cover transport, accommodation and food. Travel for local trips is paid for by the college. Though most of the course material is available online, there may be additional costs to consider, such as printing and photocopying of course material, though students will be given a photocopying allowance to cover this.

You are encouraged to purchase an introductory textbook in Policing in support of your studies.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: Lancaster University

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information

Career Options and Progression

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 entry requirements 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.