Professional Policing BA (Hons)

Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    N478

  • Level

    Undergraduate

  • Duration

    Full Time: 3 Years

  • Starting

    September

  • UK Fees 24/25

    £9,250

  • International Fees 24/25

    £15,200

  • Location

Get in touch


For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU Students enquiries

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

International Students enquiries

international@northampton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1604 893981

Overview


If you are interested in entering the police force, preparing for a non-operational role or even considering positions in the military or security services then this the University of Northampton’s Professional Policing degree BA may be the course for you. We have extremely close professional links with Northants Police and this means that you are exposed to a wide range of guest speakers from detectives to child protection officers.

You will have the chance to apply what you learn in real-life scenarios in our purpose-built facilities through working with colleagues from across the University. This collaborative working results in you gaining a highly effective and complete qualification that is valued and recognised by all the forces across the East Midlands and beyond.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning is available for our BA Professional Policing degree. If you have experience in law enforcement as an officer or a detective, are a dedicated security professional or an investigator in public safety or security, you may be eligible to a fast-tracked degree.

 

Updated 19/03/2024

Highlights


Course Content


  • The University of Northampton’s Professional Policing degree is taught by serving and retired police officers and other industry professionals. This policing course will give you an insight into legislation, conducting investigations and the criminal justice system in the United Kingdom.

    We are dedicated to giving you the skills that you will you need to pursue a career in Law enforcement.

    Please note that having obtained a degree in ‘Professional Policing’ it does not guarantee you a job as a police officer. There is a strict eligibility criterion and several stages to the police application process which can be found on the College of Policing website.

    Also, your degree in policing has a currency of 5 years from graduation until you join the service (this applies to all College of Policing approved pre-join degrees offered elsewhere). It means that you have 5 years to join the police service following your graduation. The reason is that with there being so many changes in policing and legislation, any longer than 5 years would make it outdated.

    List of modules

    Information about the modules on this policing degree can be found on the Professional Policing module award map.

    Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme

    Our Professional Policing Degree is part of the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCS). The ELCS is an opportunity for members of the Armed Forces to further or expand on their education. The scheme offers support financially in a maximum of three separate financial years for higher level learning of a nationally recognised qualification at a Level three or above.

  • Typical offers for Professional Policing would be:

    • BCC at A Level or
    • DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
    • Pass (C and above) at T Level or
    • An Access Course that includes 30 level 3 credits at Merit.

    We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

    In addition, you will be expected to have GCSE English Language at a grade C/4 or above. We do accept equivalences (e.g. Level 2 Functional / Key Skills). If you have qualifications preceding GCSEs and do not have English Language at grade C/4 then we will consider your application on an individual basis.

    For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

    If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

    English Language Requirements

    All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level.

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  • 2024/25 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK Full Time: £9,250
    • International Full Time: £15,200

    For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

    Additional costs

    There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2024. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

    2023/24 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK Full Time: £9,250
    • International Full Time: £14,750
  • At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

    If you join our full-time BA Professional Policing degree at at the University of Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

    Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

    To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

    *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

  • Are you a law enforcement officer or detective, a dedicated security professional, or a passionate investigator in public safety or security?

    You may be able to earn a BA (Hons) degree in Professional Policing or Criminal and Corporate Investigationin just one year full-time or two years part-time.

    Why choose our programme?
    • Fast-track to Success: Have the first two years of existing experience and learning approved and move straight into the final year of your degree
    • Flexible Learning: Attend classes on your terms, a blend of online and face-to-face, whether full-time or part-time
    • Tailored for Professionals: We will recognise your expertise and prior learning, allowing you to focus on advanced topics
    • Industry Approved: Our curriculum aligns with the latest industry standards.
    What you’ll gain
    • A BA (Hons) degree: Professional Policing BA (Hons) or Criminal and Corporate Investigation BA (Hons)
    • Critical Skills: Enhance your existing analytical, communication and leadership abilities
    • Advanced Knowledge: Go deeper into criminal investigations, corporate threats, and ethical policing strategies
    • Career Boost: Elevate your professional standing and potential to open doors to new opportunities.
    Join our Community of Investigators:

    Connect with like-minded professionals, learn from experienced tutors and industry leaders with the Criminal Justice department, in the Faculty of Business and Law, and build professional networks.

    For more information and how to apply:

    If you’d like to know more about the APEL opportunities and how to apply please contact:

     

  • How will I learn on the Policing degree?

    Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, assessed role plays, independent and group work. We encourage you to actively engage with seminars and groups discussions to apply your learning to different scenarios. Practical work will represent an important component of our degree in policing throughout each of the three years of study.

    Taught sessions are usually between two or three hours per module per week. Pre-reads are provided for most sessions and you should arrive prepared, having already read the assigned texts so that you can maximise your understanding.

    How will I be assessed?

    Assessment for the professional policing degree is varied and consists of presentations, essays, assignments, skills labs, practical exercises, reports, reflective accounts and video presentations, exams and multiple choice tests. These reflect the National Occupational Standards for the Police Service and the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme. If you choose to take alternative placements you will be assessed against relevant appropriate standards.

    Are there any special features on the Professional Policing degree?

    You can practice real life scenarios in one of our specialist facilities. For  interview training, there is a purpose-built interview rooms and a realistic custody suite as well as mock flat with one way mirrors.

    In addition, we are one of only few universities in the country that have fully functioning Hydra simulation room used for immersive learning. Hydra is a sophisticated piece of technology that is used to simulate the reality of critical incident management.

    Facilities includes:

    • tutoring to the same level as regular officers
    • mentoring
    • role plays in partnership with actors, paramedics and lawyers from across the University
    • interview training in purpose-built interview rooms
    • mentoring groups
    • guest speakers from across the industry
    • bespoke fast track application for Northants Police for successful applicants
    • realistic Custody suite
    • mock flat with one way mirrors.
    Are there any work experience opportunities on the professional policing degree?

    There are opportunities to go on work placements, either with the Northamptonshire Police, Northampton Borough Council or with not-for-profit groups who deal with prevention of offending behaviour amongst vulnerable groups, or substance abuse such as Free to Talk.

    Please note that placements are not guaranteed, they must be earned and if you do not display the relevant professional standards or acquire the relevant standards in your coursework you will not receive a placement.

    Who are the Student Support Team?

    The Student Experience Support Team are a team of previous graduates of the University of Northampton, they are here to support all Faculty of Business and Law students by offering a friendly listening ear and ensuring students are aware of the numerous support systems that the University has to offer. The team provide confidential 1-1 meetings in person and online where they will signpost the students to the relevant support teams to ensure they are aware of the support available for them throughout their studies. You can follow the Student Experience Support Team to see the services they offer.

Staff


Placeholder image for John Fox, Head of Criminal Justice Studies
John Fox

Head of Criminal Justice Studies


Faculty of Business and Law

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Placeholder image for Liam Farrow, Associate Lecturer (Criminal Justice Studies)
Liam Farrow

Associate Lecturer (Criminal Justice Studies)


Professional Policing BA (Hons)

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Placeholder image for Tara Fowley, Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice Studies
Tara Fowley

Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice Studies


Professional Policing BA (Hons)

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Careers and Employability


Graduates with a degree in policing are likely to find employment as police officers or within the wider police service performing support roles. You could also pursue careers as officers within the armed forces, the security services, or within research roles relating to crime and disorder, investigative roles and the security industry upon completing this policing course.

If you are wishing to join the Special Constabulary, you will need to make a separate application when you join the course. Please note that acceptance to the Special Constabulary is not guaranteed and is dependent on a successful evidence-based application, interview, fitness test, medical and vetting procedure.

Master’s Opportunities

Our master’s courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give yourself a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

Facilities


Learning Hub


The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.

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Senate Building


The main reception for the University and additional teaching spaces.

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