Professional Policing

University of Portsmouth
Undergraduate BSc (Hons) Full-time 3 Years LawPolicingSociologyPolitics

A-Level Entry

BBB - BBC

UCAS Points

112 - 120 points

Avg. Graduate Salary

£25,500

About this course

This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview Simulated facilities that replicate situations you’ll face in your job, insights from teaching staff who have law enforcement experience and opportunities to gain experience with local police forces.

Following the National Police Curriculum as set out by the College of Policing, this BSc (Hons) Professional Policing degree prepares you for the emotional, physical and mental demands of a rewarding career in policing and related fields.

You'll gain legislative, policy and procedural knowledge and develop the critical thinking, communication, decision making and conflict management skills you need. You’ll graduate as a qualified police officer and have the foundation to explore a career in law enforcement and criminal justice, or continue your studies at postgraduate level.

Course highlights

  • Explore crime scenes and situations using virtual reality environments, allowing you to test your skills in a simulated environment

  • Build your professional network through our close ties with Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire constabularies

  • Get experience of the interdisciplinary work practices you’ll encounter in your career as you study alongside criminology students

  • Enhance your CV and apply your skills through volunteering opportunities with local police forces

  • Have the opportunity to see other countries’ approaches to policing by spending your placement year at a policing-focused overseas university

    Licensed by: This course is a national pre-join degree programme licenced by the College of Policing.

    Careers and opportunities A career in policing is an exciting, rewarding way to serve your local community and make a positive impact on society.

    Working as a police constable

    This degree is an approved entry route into the police services in England and Wales, so you'll be eligible to apply for police constable roles when you graduate (you won’t need to do a graduate conversion programme). This allows you to work in neighbourhood and response policing.

    With experience, you can rise in the ranks to roles such as:

  • sergeant

  • inspector

  • superintendent

  • chief constable

    Working in other police force units

    After a 2-year probationary period as a police constable, you can apply to work in specialist areas such as:

  • criminal investigation department (CID)

  • firearms

  • traffic

  • intelligence

  • child protection

  • fraud squad

  • drug squad

    This course also gives you the knowledge and skills for roles in security organisations such as the National Crime Agency.

    • Entry Requirements

    A-Level Grades BBB - BBC
    UCAS Tariff Points 112 - 120 points
    BTEC DDM - DMM

    Study Options

    This course is available in 2 study options:

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 3 Years

    Qualification: BSc (Hons)

    Location: Portsmouth

    Avg. Salary: £25,500

    Sandwich

    Duration: 4 Years

    Qualification: BSc (Hons)

    Location: Portsmouth

    Avg. Salary: £25,500

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    1172 Social services managers and directors
    2435 Professional/Chartered company secretaries
    3314 Prison service officers (below principal officer)
    3319 Protective service associate professionals
    1162 Senior police officers
    3312 Police officers (sergeant and below)

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    A-Levels

    BBB - BBC

    UCAS Points

    112 - 120 points

    Avg. Salary

    £26,000

    Course Details

    Qualification
    Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    3 Years
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    Portsmouth
    Scheme
    Undergraduate
    Subjects
    Law, Policing, Sociology, Politics
    Avg. Graduate Salary
    £25,500

    Offered by

    University of Portsmouth

    Portsmouth

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