Professional Policing
Professional policing as a degree-level subject reflects a significant shift in how the police service in England and Wales understands the preparation needed for effective policing in a complex, diverse, and rapidly changing society. It draws on criminology, law, sociology, ethics, and public policy to develop a critical understanding of how the police operate, what powers they hold, and how those powers should be exercised lawfully, fairly, and with public consent. The degree prepares students not only with knowledge but with the reflective capacity and professional values that policing now requires.
At the University of Plymouth, this three-year full-time Professional Policing degree provides a comprehensive introduction to policing in modern Britain, examining the structure and function of the police service, the legal and constitutional basis of policing, and the role of the College of Policing in setting national standards and embedding evidence-based approaches. You will engage with the ethics and legality of police powers, exploring how officers exercise authority without favour or bias and how public consent for policing is secured and maintained. The programme prepares you with key transferable skills required for the role of Police Constable, and the entry tariff is 104 points.
This degree is a recognised pre-join qualification under the Police Education Qualifications Framework, and graduates are well placed to apply for Police Constable roles across England and Wales. The professional policing degree does not guarantee entry into the police service, but it provides a qualification that many forces treat as part of the probationary training process. Beyond the police service, the knowledge and analytical skills developed through the programme are applicable in criminal justice, probation, security, community safety, and social work.
Postgraduate study in criminology, criminal justice, public policy, or law is also a natural continuation for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.