Professional Policing BSc(Hons)

About the course

Providing you with a strong theoretical, methodological, and ethical understanding of policing, this course – while it doesn’t guarantee you employment – prepares you for a prospective future career in policing and other areas of security and public service.

Licenced by the College of Policing (CoP) to offer this Professional Policing Degree, we work with West Yorkshire Police (WYP), our local force, on the requirements for joining the force and developing opportunities around the Special Constabulary, as well as other employment and volunteering roles in WYP. We also partner with departments across the University to provide opportunities for more practical-based exercises, for example, involving students and staff from Paramedic studies, Nursing, Law, and Social Work.

Understanding the importance of working in partnership with other professionals will assist in your application to become a police officer.

Why study Professional Policing BSc(Hons)

It is now a requirement, under certain entry routes into policing, that new police officers have a degree-level qualification – upon completion of this course and application to the police, you can concentrate on professional police training, during your two years as a probationer, and do not have to undertake further study.

The course has been designed for those who have an interest in learning about the law and working with people. There have been many situations, where harm has come to vulnerable people, such as children, those with learning difficulties, physical or mental health issues, older adults and those experiencing domestic violence.

Maintaining the law is just one aspect of policing, and protecting the public, particularly the vulnerable, is another. Some of the issues raised by these situations concern how individuals from different professions or disciplines work together, communicate, and understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. This course will help you to understand the law, how to work with others and to protect the public.

You’ll be taught by lecturers who have a wide range of research practice knowledge and specialisms as experts in their field. You’ll also gain real-world experience via teaching by police officers and professionals from other organisations, and you’ll hear first-hand experiences from guest speakers from community organisations. You may also have the opportunity to work and study abroad via the Turing Scheme

A truly interactive course, you’ll engage (in different ways) in learning, through written work, practical exercises, and small group discussions, and debates. You’ll focus on topics including the criminal justice system, crime prevention, social science, and policing communities.

Opening a wide range of possibilities, this Professional Policing degree is the foundation for a potentially rewarding career ahead.

Not quite ready to start Professional Policing BSc(Hons)? Successful completion of our Social Science Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree will equip you with the foundation knowledge to study Professional Policing.

Entry requirements

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Social Science Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

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