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BSc (Hons) - Professional Policing

From 2020 onward the police constable role requires a degree for the majority of recruiting pathways. Our policing-specific degree, licensed by the College of Policing, will ensure that you meet future requirements and gain a competitive edge.

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Course Overview

You’ll develop a firm foundation in the theory and practice of policing, while strengthening your skill set through supporting disciplines, such as criminology, the application of ethics and the interpretation of legislation and procedure.

This programme delivers a curriculum set by The College of Policing, so you can be sure your learning will be of the highest calibre. Our dedicated and enthusiastic team come from a wide range of policing backgrounds, and their extensive knowledge is complemented by guest speakers from a variety of policing and criminal justice roles. Our licensed ‘pre-join’ degree is the go-to course to get you off to the best possible start in your policing career.

On this course you will...

  • Learn how to make effective and dynamic police decisions and solve problems.
  • Learn the fundamental powers and procedures that Police Officers use every day.
  • Have the opportunity and be supported in applying for the local Special Constabulary, providing you with real-world policing experience alongside your studies.
  • Have the opportunity (if a serving Special Constable) to take part in our CATE-nominated Major Incident exercise. You will work alongside Forensic Science and Paramedic Practice students to develop your inter-professional skills.
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What our graduates say

  • Recently, Cumbria Constabulary awarded me with ‘Special Constable of the Year 2019/2020.’ I feel very honoured to have been nominated and chosen to receive this award.
    Anna Merrell

    Anna Merrell

    Over the past year and a half, I have assisted in dealing with a variety of incidents; some of which have included road traffic collisions, assaults and public order offences. Being able to apply the knowledge I learned at university to ‘real-life’ circumstances and incidents was beneficial to me.

    Anna Merrell

Course Structure

What you will learn

Our course is designed to be progressive, building on the required knowledge and skills as laid down in the National Policing Curriculum. At Level 4, we start with the history, structure and role of the Police Service, before examining such fundamentals as decision making, ethical considerations, vulnerability and risk, legislation and procedure, academic study skills and aspects of criminology and psychology.

As we move to Level 5 we drill further down into vital aspects of underpinning theory, including academic research skills. At Level 6, the more complex aspects of ethics, decision-making and vulnerability are further examined, alongside optional modules covering specific aspects of policing (such as crime investigation, or intelligence) and a year-long dissertation project.

The University of Cumbria's BSc in Professional Policing has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of the National Policing Curriculum, as mandated by the College of Policing.

Year one
  • Understanding the Police Constable Role
    An introduction to the roles and responsibilities of the Police Constable in the 21st Century.
  • Policing Vulnerability in Contemporary Society
    An introduction to vulnerability and risk, with particular emphasis on contemporary issues such as the digital environment, terrorism, and wider aspects of vulnerability.
  • Police Legislation
    An introduction to the core offences and incidents encountered by police officers.
  • Academic Study Skills and Applied Social Sciences
    An introduction to academic skills and the academic discipline of applied social sciences in both its historical context and contemporary implications.
  • Information and Intelligence
    Learn about the practices and procedures related to obtaining and managing intelligence in a policing context, including Investigative Interviewing.
  • Policing, Decisions and Ethics
    Explore the concept of Police decision making through the use of the National Decision Model.
Year two
  • Professionalism, Values and Standards
    Critically explore issues around diversity, ethics, values and accountability, within the operational policing arena and in the wider aspects of life.
  • Vulnerability and Risk
    Understand and act upon the fundamental responsibility of the police service to identify and provide professional support to those who are vulnerable and at risk.
  • Specialist Procedures
    Explore the use of specific legislation around Roads Policing, Terrorism and On-line offences.
  • Operational Policing
    Build upon existing knowledge of police operational duties, legislation and procedure.
  • Academic Research Skills
    An opportunity to undertake a piece of policing based research.
  • Criminological Concepts
    Build upon your foundational understanding of crime and deviance through the use of case studies to examine theories relating to criminal behaviour.
Year three
  • Coaching and Mentoring
    Engage in continual self-reflection, evolving strategies to improve your own professional practice and acquire and demonstrate leadership, team working and partnership-working skills in a policing context.
  • Response Policing
    Formulate lawful, safe and effective front-line policing in the specific professional area of response policing.
  • Community Policing
    Formulate lawful, safe and effective front-line policing in the specific professional area of Neighbourhood Policing.
  • Police Investigation (specialism)
    Develop as a safe and effective police officer specialising in Police Investigation.
  • Information and Intelligence (specialism)
    Develop as a lawful, safe and effective police officer in the management of Information & Intelligence.
  • Dissertation
    Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of police practice by exploring an area or subject of choice through empirical research methods.
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  • Location

    Carlisle - Fusehill Street Campus

    The Fusehill Street campus has been the setting of life-saving treatments since World War I. Now, it's home to world changers, life-savers, crime fighters, and entrepreneurs with access to high-quality facilities and innovative thinking.

    Find out more

Find out more about studying with us

Attend an Open Day at Cumbria

An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.

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