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BSc (Hons) - Professional Policing

Are you looking to making a difference in the rapidly evolving world of policing? This course will allow you to delve deeply into the justice system, different types of crimes and teach you how to make effective and dynamic decisions. The University of Cumbria is ranked 81.8% for overall student satisfaction (NSS, 2022)

Designed and licensed by The College of Policing, you can be assured that you will graduate with all the skills required to gain a competitive edge when it comes to applying for graduate roles.

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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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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationCarlisle - Fusehill Street
Institute: Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership
UCAS CodeL900
Delivery StyleIn-Person
Course DurationFull-time: 3 Years
Study Options Integrated Foundation Year
Start DateSeptember 2024
AwardBSc (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysCarlisle - Fusehill Street
All

Minimum entry requirements

104-112

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,250

UK | Per year

£13,575

International | Per year

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

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.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

Knowledge, understanding, skills and other attributes are taught at the University with students putting them into context and appreciating their relevance through applying them in the workplace. You are encouraged to undertake self-directed study both to supplement and consolidate your learning and to broaden your individual knowledge and understanding of the subject. We seek to create a stimulating and innovative community of learning, whether encountered on campus or at a distance.

Facilitated by our expert practitioner staff, this community will develop in a learning environment that is well equipped, flexible, and stimulating. To maintain this environment, we will prioritise the needs of learning and research and actively develop relationships with external bodies to place students in the widest possible range of relevant settings. We will invite guest lecturers and develop masterclasses so that you benefit from the latest knowledge from academics and professionals from within the field of policing and criminology.

How you will be assessed

Some of the assessments within the pre-join degree have been designed to reflect the professional requirements of report and document writing within policing.

The purpose of the assessments we undertake are to monitor both your learning informally (using formative assessments) and to assess your progress at the end of each module and the programme overall (using summative assessments).

You will be offered continuing support to make sure your progress is on track and that the key principles and supporting guidance around evidence-based policing threads through the learning you undertake on the programme and in all that you learn and understand. Each module tutor and your personal academic tutor will ensure that you are clear about the intended learning outcomes for each module and the assessment marking criteria to make sure you understand what you are being asked to learn and upon what criteria you are being assessed. Examples of assessment methods include: case study, reflective reports, academic essay, e-portfolio, production and presentation of reports, poster and oral presentation, written report.

Overview

104-112 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

A-levels: BCC - BBC

T-levels: P (C+) – M All subjects are accepted for entry to this course

Access to HE: 45 Credits at Merit –  15 credits at Distinction & 30 at Merit

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: C - B

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM - DMM

Scottish Highers: BBBC - BBBA

Irish LC Highers: B1, B2, B2, B2 – B1, B1, B1, B2

Alternative routes: If you don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, check out our Integrated Foundation Year as an alternative route to this course.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

At interview we will assess your suitability to train for the profession you have applied for.  All professional course interviews are scored.  Any offers made will be based on your whole application and your interview score. 

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any practical experience you have gained.

At interview you have the opportunity to demonstrate your motivation, enthusiasm and interest in Policing. 

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply).

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2023 - 2024

£9,250 - UK
£13,575 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs associated with the course including stationery, textbooks, field trips and membership fees although some of these features are optional.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

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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.
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BSc (Hons) - Professional Policing