Professional Policing BSc(Hons)

Select the year

2026-27

2027-28

Start Dates

21 September 2026

Duration

3 years full-time

UCAS Tariff

112-104

Recent Awards For Excellence

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About this course

Overview

Providing you with a strong theoretical, methodological, and ethical understanding of policing, this course – while it doesn’t guarantee you employment – prepares you for a prospective future career in policing and other areas of security and public service.

Licenced by the College of Policing (CoP) to offer this Professional Policing Degree, we work with West Yorkshire Police (WYP), our local force, on the requirements for joining the force and developing opportunities around the Special Constabulary, as well as other employment and volunteering roles in WYP. We also partner with departments across the University to provide opportunities for more practical-based exercises, for example, involving students and staff from Paramedic studies, Nursing, Law, and Social Work.

Understanding the importance of working in partnership with other professionals will assist in your application to become a police officer.

Why study Professional Policing BSc(Hons)

It is now a requirement, under certain entry routes into policing, that new police officers have a degree-level qualification – upon completion of this course and application to the police, you can concentrate on professional police training, during your two years as a probationer, and do not have to undertake further study.

The course has been designed for those who have an interest in learning about the law and working with people. There have been many situations, where harm has come to vulnerable people, such as children, those with learning difficulties, physical or mental health issues, older adults and those experiencing domestic violence.

Maintaining the law is just one aspect of policing, and protecting the public, particularly the vulnerable, is another. Some of the issues raised by these situations concern how individuals from different professions or disciplines work together, communicate, and understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. This course will help you to understand the law, how to work with others and to protect the public.

You’ll be taught by lecturers who have a wide range of research practice knowledge and specialisms as experts in their field. You’ll also gain real-world experience via teaching by police officers and professionals from other organisations, and you’ll hear first-hand experiences from guest speakers from community organisations. You may also have the opportunity to work and study abroad via the Turing Scheme

A truly interactive course, you’ll engage (in different ways) in learning, through written work, practical exercises, and small group discussions, and debates. You’ll focus on topics including the criminal justice system, crime prevention, social science, and policing communities.

Opening a wide range of possibilities, this Professional Policing degree is the foundation for a potentially rewarding career ahead.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Psychology and Crime Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree or our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree.

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

BBC-BCC at A Level.
112-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.
DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Pass at T level with grade C or above on core.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

What will you learn?

Course Details

This module will introduce you to the Criminal Justice System (CJS) in England and Wales. You’ll learn about different court systems and processes, the range of punishments and sanctions. You’ll examine victims in the CJS and changes connected to the treatment of victims, witnesses and offenders. You’ll focus on the role of the police and its relationship with the Crown Prosecution Service. You’ll consider rehabilitation and partnership working to support offenders, victims and witnesses.

This module develops your understanding of criminological approaches to crime. The professionalisation of policing in England and Wales are requiring police officers to be critical as well as reflective. The complexity and diversity of society requires officers who can handle situations which are rarely routine. An introduction to criminological perspectives on policing and crime reduction will foster an understanding of the initiatives and approaches that have been proposed and adopted to reducing crime.

This module will develop your understanding of ‘Community Policing’. You’ll look at the development of community policing, as a response to public criticism of reactive based policing and a move to a more proactive approach. It will highlight examples of real-world significance and explore the changing nature of community policing in a social and political context. It will introduce you to signal crimes and signal disorder and the development of problem-oriented policing (POP) and partnership working.

The module will introduce you to the purpose, responsibilities, and standards of the modern police service. Principles of policing in England and Wales; fairness and equality are part of the change towards professionalisation. Concepts in policing such as ‘policing by consent’ and ‘legitimacy’ rely on public cooperation for officers to carry out their role. This module encourages you to consider an evidenced-based approach.

In this module you'll be introduced to study skills within a Higher Education (HE) setting, focusing on academic writing, referencing and citations, basic library searches and research. Alongside this, you’ll also be introduced to the skills and competencies required to become a police officer and how to prepare for the recruitment process. The module aims to develop your abilities to achieve within a professional HE programme. It will also provide you with an understanding of the police recruitment process.

In this module you’ll consider how the police service in England and Wales develops and maintains positive relationships with all communities. You’ll look at how society has changed and the police service has responded. You’ll explore significant events such as the Brixton Riots (1981) and the murder of Stephen Lawrence (1993). You’ll examine how equality legislation has developed since the 1970s with a focus on confidence in the police.

Evidence-based policing (EBP) has come to the fore in recent years reflecting a more general trend across public and social services. This module provides the opportunity for you to develop your understanding of the underpinning ideas behind EBP and introduces you to ways of effectively designing such research. This module acts as an introduction to the EBP dissertation and also helps develop your academic and critical understanding of research as a whole and the way in which research can be used to develop new approaches to policing or reinforce existing practices.

UK Policing relies on information and intelligence. Intelligence underpins policing operations and contributes to police collaborations with other agencies. This raises issues about how information is collected, how it comes to form intelligence, ethics and the management of data. This module aims to develop your understanding of the role of information and intelligence within policing and how the police are obliged to collect, store, and manage intelligence appropriately. It will consider intelligence use in policing operations and how partner agencies can support operations through the sharing of information and intelligence.

This module introduces you to the structure, processes, and role of police investigations, and the legal, resourcing and professional/ethical standards within which they operate. It reviews core elements of the investigative process, different investigative types, and how different forms of information are utilised. It considers victim/witness support during the investigative process, reviews the differing roles of key stakeholders, and explores roles and relationships between police investigators and specialist partners. It considers how personal attitudes, values and bias can influence investigations, and reviews how investigations and investigative material are managed and reviewed.

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the policing of roads in England and Wales. It will explain the core function of the police service using the 3 Es of roads policing: ‘Education, Engineering and Enforcement’. It will cover the key road traffic legislation and policies relating to the use of vehicles, as well consider the use of vehicles in connection with crime and anti-social behaviour. The use of problem-solving model will be explored, alongside national strategies and policy development for safer roads. Evidence-based Policing research contextualises learning and good practice throughout.

This module introduces you to response policing and its effectiveness in contemporary policing. Response policing often leads to further investigation. It is frequently required when the public first contact the police for assistance. Calls can be challenging; from a person in mental health crisis to a major incident. This module draws upon interoperability and joint working relationships with other emergency services and partner agencies. It develops understanding of key social, political and strategic drivers that impact on contemporary response policing.

This module helps to develop your understanding of vulnerability and risk. It introduces you to competing views of vulnerability and why the police adopt a specific definition related to the concept of policing as a public service. It addresses the interrelationship of vulnerability with risk to highlight how some individuals and groups are more vulnerable to offending behaviour. It will enable you to understand how the police reduces risk. This includes approaches linked to early intervention, prevention and partnership working. College of Policing’s National Policing Curriculum ‘Vulnerability and Risk’ and areas of ‘Victims and Witnesses’ are covered in this module.

In this module you'll explore the critical impact of working within criminal justice and policing on mental health and wellbeing. It covers the significance of mental health in policing, the unique stressors faced by officers in various roles, and the organisational and occupational stressors that affect their wellbeing. The module also compares wellbeing challenges across the criminal justice system, examines strategies and interventions to develop personal resilience, and addresses the risks associated with personal device use. Additionally, it delves into the role of organisational justice, exploring its impact on wellbeing and performance, and the role of mental health in offending behaviour and the communities policed, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of mental health dynamics in this field.

This module provides a comprehensive exploration of leadership principles and responsibilities within the context of policing. It critically evaluates key leadership principles and the responsibilities of leaders at all levels. You will delve into the complexities of operational policing, addressing issues such as police culture, integrity, diversity, and public perceptions, as well as examining the National Decision Model (NDM) and its application in decision-making processes, highlighting the role of ethics, discretion and intelligence. Additionally, the module covers best practices in response to critical incidents and effective communication strategies for dealing with the media, ensuring that you are well-prepared to handle the multifaceted challenges of modern policing.

This module offers you the opportunity to explore key contemporary challenges to the nature and practice of policing and security. You’ll be enabled to consider the impact of social change on policing in a variety of ways including, for example: policing of new and emerging crimes; the impact of technological developments on the commission and investigation of crime; policing within the context of globalisation, marketisation, managerialism, risk and multi-culturalism; and threats to national and public security.

The aim of this module is to provide you with an opportunity to gain experience of conducting evidenced-based policing research. The ability to undertake planned and well executed research is a core skill within the discipline of police education and is a requirement of the National Policing Curriculum. You’ll have the opportunity to study and research a policing topic in detail, enabling you to further develop your understanding of research gained in Years 1 and 2.

The idea of public protection has been at the centre of policing since its inception in the 19th century. This module builds on the ‘Policing: Core Functions and Standards’ and ‘Victimology: Vulnerability and Risk’, to help deepen your understanding of the concept public protection in modern day policing. It will provide you with the legislative tools and guidance to help you understand how you can develop policing practice in relation to public protection. The College of Policing’s National Police Curriculum for ‘Public Protection’ is covered in this module.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you’ll study the award-winning Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* — so you’re ready for the career you want, whatever subject you choose.

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

This qualification is recognised by the police service as preparing you for a career as a police officer in England and Wales. You will not be required to undertake further academic study to become a qualified police officer, you'll only be required to meet occupational competence, enabling you to concentrate on your professional training during your two years as a probationer.
The Professional Policing Degree qualification will reduce the probation period from three years to two years, so you'll be eligible for any pay rises after this period. Some forces will also give you a higher starting salary if you already have a degree.
This course does not guarantee you employment in any police force. On graduating you'll need to apply to the police force of your choice, meet their eligibility criteria and complete the national recruitment processes. Further information is available on the Join The Police website.

If you wish to use successful completion of this course as your entry route to the police service, you must apply to join a police force within five years of your graduation. However, your degree will still be valid for any other roles you may wish to apply for.
On successful completion of the course, you may also wish to pursue a range of other occupations relating to investigation, security, and community-based roles, supporting vulnerable people, working with offenders, victims, criminal justice organisations, crime reduction roles, and many other exciting career paths. This could involve working with His Majesty's Prison Service, His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), UK Border Agency (UKBA), National Crime Agency (NCA), Fraud Investigation and Security Services (MI5 and MI6).

86%
Graduates from this subject area were in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 21/22, UK Domiciled

The university ensures it supplies their students the essential skills needed to gain a successful career, enabling me to obtain suitable employment in an industry directly linked to my course. Once a graduate the university as well as its staff will always be there to provide guidance and support if needed.

- Hasan Ali Sajjad
graduated Criminology with Law BSc(Hons), now at HM Prison and Probation Service (Civil Service)

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£9,790 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy.

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

£17,600 per year

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy.

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/

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What does the univsersity offer?

Gallery

Students deliberating guilt following a live trial.

Simulated trial in our on-campus Mock Court Room

Students undertaking a crime prevention survey using virtual reality.

Crime prevention activity using Virtual Reality

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Student story

Chloe describes how she enjoys listening to her tutors' real-life experiences of working in Probation and Policing, and how her course enabled her to debate and express her own opinions, inspiring her new ambition to study a Masters' in Human Rights.

Student profile

Read about how Phoebe chose Professional Policing BSc(Hons) at Huddersfield because the lecturers take time to het to know you personally, and how she values the support offered by the dedicated Academic Skills Team.

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Criminology at Huddersfield

Subject Leader Carla Reeves tells the story of how her interest in crime fiction lead her to a career in Criminology research and teaching at the University of Huddersfield

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Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

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Professional Policing BSc(Hons)

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

Accreditation and Professional Links

Why study Professional Policing BSc(Hons)

Entry Requirements