Professional Policing
Professional policing is a degree designed for those who wish to pursue a career in the police service in England and Wales or to develop the professional and analytical skills that policing requires. It is one of the recognised pathways into the police service under the Police Education Qualifications Framework, reflecting a broader shift in policing towards degree-level education as the standard entry route. The discipline draws on criminology, sociology, law, psychology, and ethics to develop practitioners who can respond to complex and challenging situations with both professional competence and genuine social consciousness.
At Edge Hill University, this part-time programme develops the practical and transferable skills needed for policing and a wide range of other careers in the criminal justice and public services. A sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement are all incorporated into the degree, giving you substantial professional and international experience alongside your studies. You will engage with the legal frameworks that govern police powers, the ethics of policing in a democratic society, the sociology of crime and disorder, and the practical competencies that effective police officers need.
The programme is designed for students who are socially conscious, committed, and interested in justice, and it develops both the critical thinking and the professional skills that policing demands.
The work placement and sandwich year are particularly significant features, giving you direct exposure to policing and criminal justice environments and building the professional networks that matter for your career.
Graduates are well prepared to apply to police forces in England and Wales through the Police Education Qualifications Framework pathway. Others go on to work in related criminal justice roles including probation, youth justice, court services, and a range of public and voluntary sector roles. Postgraduate study in criminology, law, or public policy is also an option.