Professional Policing

Program Overview

Professional Policing BSc (Hons)

Overview

This BSc (Hons) Professional Policing degree prepares you for the emotional, physical, and mental demands of a rewarding career in policing and related fields. Following the National Police Curriculum as set out by the College of Policing, you'll gain legislative, policy, and procedural knowledge and develop critical thinking, communication, decision-making, and conflict management skills.

Key Information

• UCAS code: M932
• Typical offer: 112-120 UCAS points from 3 A levels, or equivalent
• Study mode and duration: 3 years full-time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
• Start date: September 2025

Course Information

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer (September 2025 start): A levels - BBB-BBC, UCAS points - 112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent
• English language requirements: English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5

Facilities and Specialist Equipment

• Hydra Immersive Learning Suite: Engage in simulated scenarios that replicate operational policing challenges, developing problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking skills.
• Crime scene simulation spaces: Put your forensic skills into practice with simulated crime scenes.
• Collaboration of Forensic Interviewing: Develop specialist skills in interviewing and investigation.

Careers and Opportunities

• Working as a police constable: This policing 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 for up to five years after you graduate.
• Working in other police force units: After a two-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, or fraud squad.
• Placement year (optional): Take a work placement year with a UK police force to get valuable longer-term work experience in policing and law enforcement.

Modules

• Year 1:
  • Criminal Justice - 20 credits: Explore the key aspects of contemporary national and international criminal justice.
  • Essential Skills for Criminologists - 40 credits: Build the essential toolkit of academic and research skills you'll need to succeed on your criminology degree.
  • Evidence-Based Policing - 20 credits: Understand the importance and relevance of research within policing.
  • Introduction to Policing - 20 credits: Learn key theories, policies, and principles associated with policing in England and Wales.
  • Victims and Witnesses - 20 credits: Establish an understanding of the needs of victims and witnesses.
• Year 2:
  • Community Policing - 20 credits: Develop your understanding of community policing, problem-solving, and crime prevention through effective partnership working.
  • Complex Investigations - 20 credits: Learn about the advanced capabilities needed for complex police investigations involving multiple agencies, witnesses, and information.
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing - 20 credits: Learn how to safeguard your own and colleagues' mental health when working within the criminal justice system.
  • Policing and Society - 20 credits: Examine the complexities of policing across diverse societies.
  • Public Protection - 20 credits: Develop an understanding of the personal aspects of vulnerability and how specific environments may increase risk.
  • Researching Criminology - 20 credits: Expand your approach to criminology research through practical work, developing skills you'll need for your final year dissertation proposal and future career.
• Year 3:
  • Applied Policing and Investigation - 20 credits: Apply what you've learned so far to an extended criminal case study.
  • Dissertation (Criminology) - 40 credits: Design and complete an in-depth, self-directed dissertation or research project.
  • Management of Criminal Investigations - 20 credits: Learn how criminal investigations are managed, focusing on serious crime.
  • Policing: Communities, Intelligence and Information - 20 credits: Investigate the links between policing, intelligence, and community partnership.
  • Policing: Law, Policy and Practice - 20 credits: Discover the legislation and standards governing today's policing.

How You'll Spend Your Time

• A typical week: We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your degree. In your first year, you'll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, and workshops for about 9 hours a week.
• Term dates: The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

Supporting You

• Personal tutor: Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
• Learning development tutors: You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
• Academic skills support: During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions, and online sessions.
• Wellbeing and mental health support: Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfill your potential and have a great student experience.
• Disability advice and additional support: If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need, our specialist team can help you.
• Library support: Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources.

Course Costs and Funding

• Tuition fees:
  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU residents: £9,535 (including Transition Scholarship)
  • International students: £17,200 (subject to annual increase)
• Funding your studies: Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get.
• Additional course costs:
  • Accommodation and living costs: Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
  • Recommended reading: You'll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
  • General costs: We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding, and specialist printing.
  • Final year project: If your final year includes a major project, there could be costs for transport or accommodation related to your research activities.
  • Work or study placement abroad: You'll need to pay additional costs anywhere between £50–£1,000 to cover travel, accommodation, or subsistence if you take a placement abroad.