School of Social Sciences and Humanities

BA (Hons) Professional Policing with Foundation Year

BA (Hons) Full-time 4 years, Part-time 8 years

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
16 September 2024
UCAS Code
L901
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (4 years),Part-time (8 years)
Campus location
Wolverhampton City Campus
School
School of Social Sciences and Humanities
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

The PEQF (Policing Education Qualifications Framework) is a new, professional framework for the training of police officers and staff. As of 1st January 2020 successful appointment as a police officer in any one of the 43 Police Forces in England and Wales will be dependent upon the completion of a professional educational qualification.  The College of Policing, as the professional body of the police service, have developed three new entry routes into the police service. One of these routes is by completion of a Pre-Join degree, whereby students will study a three year degree in professional policing which will equip them to deal with the exciting challenges modern policing has to offer.

The BA(Hons) Professional Policing programme has been designed, primarily, to meet the learning needs of students who wish to embark on a career in the police service (police and police staff) but will also be useful for those wishing to work in other related areas, for example; National Crime Agency, probation service, military police, private security industry, civil service, local authority, banking and similar organisations where investigative or practical legal knowledge are required.

As well as subject specific skills students will have the opportunity to develop key transferable skills that are highly valued by employers in the graduate job market, including the ability to present and develop a cohesive argument, IT skills, research and problem-solving skills, communication skills and working as part of a team.

Riot training in progress

What happens on the course?

The national curriculum for the new ‘Pre-Join’  Professional Policing route into policing (as prescribed by the College of Policing as the professional body for policing) is professionally transformative, in that there is comprehensive, modern and up-to date coverage of areas of knowledge, skills and professional approaches that have been identified as critical to the 21st century policing role of the constable. These include (but are not limited to): evidence-based policing; decision-making and discretion; criminology and crime prevention; pro-active approaches to vulnerability, risk and public protection.

Students will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of the five principle policing practice areas namely response policing, policing communities, policing the roads, information and intelligence and conducting investigations. Students will demonstrate their understanding by engaging in both practical and classroom based scenarios.

The programme has modules covering many interesting and contemporary policing issues such as digital policing (cybercrime), terrorism and public protection concerns. Students will become immersed in the role of a police constable, understanding the origins of the constable and how historical high profile police matters have shaped modern day policing. As well as gaining a comprehensive knowledge of police powers and procedures students will develop investigative skills including how to interview witnesses and suspects. The concept of police accountability will feature strongly throughout the course, and how that links with the standards of police professional behaviour.

Students will gain an insight into how police respond to major and critical incidents as well as understanding the complexities surrounding road policing and serious and organised crime.

During their final year students will be able to use the critical thinking, research and academic writing skills they have developed in order to explore an area of policing of interest to them.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Many students who undertake this degree will be aiming to join the police service as a Police Constable but it is important to emphasize to applicants and students that completion of this degree does not guarantee employment as a police officer or police staff.

Every police service in England and Wales sets its own recruitment process and selection policy and entry requirements vary from service to service. Candidates are advised to check their eligibility against the police service website, this may assist you in deciding whether to undertake the BA (Hons) Professional Policing course and/or pursue a career in policing.

However the BA (Hons) Professional Policing course does not limit graduates to a career with the police service.  Other careers could include working in; the National Crime Agency, probation service, military police, private security industry, civil service, local authority, banking and similar organisations where investigative or practical legal knowledge are required.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

The BA (Hons) Professional Policing delivered at the University of Wolverhampton is the latest development in our long history of providing Policing Education in the region.    This new degree builds on the 10 years of experience we have in providing police education. The course is delivered by staff with strong academic and operational backgrounds in Policing and we draw on a range of specialist practitioners to enhance the student experience.

Where possible operational police officers attend the University to give the students an opportunity to relate their classroom based knowledge and understanding to real life cases.

Previous student experiences have included visits to courts, the Midland Regional Tactical Training Centre, Birmingham Airport and local police stations.

Students learn about riot shields

In the wider educational context, the professional benefits of BA (Hons) Professional Policing programme extend well beyond the confines of the curriculum itself, embracing the higher-level skills that a degree-based educational approach can import to the profession of policing. Those learners who have successfully completed the BA (Hons) Professional Policing degree, and who progress to become police constables, will contribute to the policing profession by being capable problem-solvers, communicators, negotiators and leaders, as well as being increasingly socially and emotionally intelligent individuals in the performance of their professional role.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £3120 per year# 2022-23
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2024-25
International Full-time £13450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

Prepare for Foundation Pathway: - We will consider mature applicants (age 21 or over) who have not achieved 48 UCAS points (equivalence) from prior level 3 qualifications, if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience.  You will be required to attend a compulsory Prepare for foundation assessment day where you will take part in a variety of activities which will assess your suitability for the course.  If you would like more advice and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact Gateway to discuss and support you making an application to us.

Academic Pathway: - 48+ UCAS tariff points

Either

  • A-levels: Grade profile of DD
  • Access to HE Diploma: (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (48 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at pass)
  • BTEC: Grade profile of PPP
  • T-Level: Pass grade with a core component profile less than C.
  • Tariff: Other Level 3 qualifications are accepted for entry. A minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points will be required.
  • International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

Other Requirements:

If you choose to apply to become a special constable, you will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and vetting by the police. This process will involve detailed checks being made not only in relation to you but also your family. In addition you will have to undertake a medical examination.

Applicants must be 18 years old or above at the start of the course.

 

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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