Program Overview

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Professional Policing HNC/HND/BA (Hons)

Study level

Undergraduate

This pre-join policing degree course is designed to be an entry route into the police force designed to prepare new recruits to meet the demands of 21st-century policing.

Year of entry

2026

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years part-time
4 years sandwich (study abroad or work placement)
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC

Course code

PP10 / PP12 / PP11

Start date

September 2026

Course Overview

This exciting course focuses on the main challenges a 21st-century police officer faces, such as protecting the vulnerable, digital policing and counter-terrorism measures.

It also provides a foundation knowledge of the role of a Police Constable and the five core areas of professional policing practice: Response Policing, Policing Communities, Policing the Roads, Information and Intelligence, and Conducting Investigations. You will also undertake your own research project into your chosen policing practice area in the final year.

The course is taught by former police officers who utilise their experience and expertise to deliver theoretical and practical topics required to enable students to pursue a career in policing.

Why you should study this course

Policing is an incredibly rewarding career and allows you to truly make a difference to a community while giving you the opportunity to protect members of the public.

Hear first-hand experiences and personal perspectives from people in the industry with our invited speakers.

Previous guests have included:

• inspectors and sergeants from West Midlands Police to discuss their roles in relation to response and neighbourhood policing
• the Independent Police Complaints Commission
• British Transport police providing information on recruitment
• the youth offending service
• criminal justice department
• restorative justice partner agencies
• a Mental Health Triage speaker.

You may also have the opportunity to visit local police departments to increase your knowledge and understanding of current practices and local courts to contextualise theory about the criminal justice system. Local officers may also attend sessions to provide feedback to students who are engaging in simulated policing scenarios as part of their coursework.

You can utilise equipment essential in everyday policing, such as handcuffs, body-worn video and police radios.

We also focus on current and future crime trends in addition to historic cases, so that you gain a rounded understanding of the policing industry.

What you'll study

Year one

• Introduction to Professional Policing and the Criminal Justice System - 30 credits
• Introduction to Evidence-based Policing - 30 credits
• Policing Responsibilities - 30 credits
• Understanding Policing Practice - 30 credits

Year two

• Intermediate Professional Policing and the Criminal Justice System - 30 credits
• Intermediate Evidence-based Policing - 30 credits
• Principles of Modern Policing - 30 credits
• Aspects of Policing Practice - 30 credits

Placement year

• UK Work Placement – 0 credits
• International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

Final year

• Professional, Leadership and Problem-Solving Skills in Policing - 30 credits
• Community Policing Priorities - 30 credits
• Independent Research Project on Policing - 30 credits
• Specialist Research on Policing - 30 credits

How you'll learn

This course is available as a full-time three-year course. Alternatively, this course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary.

In addition to lectures, we utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work.

We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our current online learning platform, Aula.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours vary depending on year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. The assessment methods may include:

• Coursework
• Interactive assessments

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements

• UK
• International

Entry level

What we're looking for	UK	International
HNC	64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.	Not available
HND	80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.	Not available
Degree	104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.	Not available

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements.

English language requirements

• IELTS: Applicants must possess a minimum IELTS of 6.0 overall (with no component part lower than 5.5)

Fees and funding

Student

Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year	Request fee information
EU	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary**	Not available
International	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £14,800 per year	Not available

Facilities

Some taught sessions take place in the neighbouring building, Elm Bank. We also utilise the facilities in the Alison Gingell building, such as the community houses and hospital ward for role play/simulation work.

The modern CU Coventry Mile Lane campus has been designed to promote collaboration, creativity and innovation. Facilities include:

• indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a ground floor café
• a ground floor library that includes loan laptops and a silent study area
• open-access IT suites
• student support and careers advice teams

CU Coventry students also have access to facilities located on the Coventry University campus. These include the Lanchester Library and The Hub.

Careers and opportunities

On completion, you should be able to:

• demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the theoretical, analytical and practical aspects of policies, strategies and processes
• develop appropriate research and analysis techniques, alongside the ability to undertake reliable research activities
• operate, lead and collaborate in a team to solve problems of a practical (experimental) nature and to provide appropriate solutions
• apply appropriate presentation and evaluation tools to establish the significance of research data produced.

How to apply

UK students

Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. If a part-time option is available, part-time students should apply directly to CU Coventry.

International students

International codes:
CUCU040

International students should apply to CU Coventry directly.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

1Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

2UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

3Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

4Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.