BSc Professional Policing (Accelerated)

Course Details

Accelerated BSc (Hons) Professional Policing

UCAS code: N521

Our two year Accelerated Professional Policing degree is designed to get you either into employment or to the next stage of your professional training as quickly as possible, without compromising on quality. It will provide you with a professional knowledge of the ethics, skills and attitudes that are critical to twenty-first century policing.

The course has been designed to meet the requirements of the College of Policing National Curriculum for the role of a Police Constable under the National Policing Education Qualifications Framework. We are licensed by the College of Policing to offer the Pre-join Degree in Professional Policing – a qualification recognised by police services that is achieved prior to recruitment.

You will study a range of key topics in the area of crime, criminology, law, terrorism, associated psychology, sociology and criminal investigation. You will also learn through realistic scenarios and the use of a crime scene suite or pop-up facilities* - watch the video. Optional modules will provide an opportunity to look deeper into issues such as forensic and criminal psychology, zemiology (the study of social harms), cybercrime and youth crime.

The degree will provide you with all of the knowledge required prior to joining the police force and will also be of interest if you are looking to study at Master’s level or work in the wider security and criminal justice sector.

Please note the degree has a currency of 5 years following graduation for recruitment into policing and you must still apply to the police force and satisfy their eligibility criteria. Please contact the Police Service for more information.

*The video shows the London Bloomsbury crime scene suite. Facilities vary by campus.

Course Structure

Year 1 31 study weeks

Semester 1

• Foundation for Operational Policing Skills: Decision Making, Discretion and Problem Solving
• Introduction to Criminology, Crime Prevention and Key Psychological Concepts
• The Criminal Justice System, Key Legislation, Offences and Civil Matters
• Understanding the Police Constable Role and Professional Standards

Semester 2

• Community Policing, Antisocial Behaviour and Introduction to Road Policing
• Core Principles of Evidence Based Policing, Information and Intelligence
• Introduction to Vulnerability and Risk

^{Choose one*:}

• Cybercrime
• Forensic and Criminal Psychology
• Youth and Crime
• Zemiology (Social Harms)

^{*All options are indicative and subject to availability.}

Year 1 Summer

• Response Policing and Police Investigation

Year 2 30 study weeks

Semester 1

• Custody, Interview and Criminal Justice
• Information, Intelligence and Digital Policing
• Public Protection: Understanding Abuse and Impact
• Responding to Major and Critical Incidents

Semester 2

• Counter-Terrorism and Advanced Road Policing
• Investigating Serious Crime, Understanding Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime
• Supporting Those at Risk of Harm and Victims of Internet Facilitated Crimes
• Research Methods and Dissertation

Year 2 Summer

• Complete Dissertation

Want to boost your leadership skills?

In the summer after Year 2 of this course you have the opportunity to attend our International Leadership Summer School.

Find out more

Course Start Dates

September 2023

• BSc Professional Policing (Accelerated)
  • Full-time: Birmingham, Leeds and London Bloomsbury

September 2024

• BSc Professional Policing (Accelerated)
  • Full-time: Birmingham, Leeds and London Bloomsbury