BSc (Hons) Professional Policing (Accelerated)

All modules cover the National Policing Curriculum and cover key areas of policing knowledge such as the role of policing in today’s society as well as police powers.  Modules will allow you to learn and explore topics such as community policing, counter terrorism, covert policing activities, law and the criminal justice system, crime scene awareness, digital policing, cyber-enabled crime, protecting the vulnerable in society, police interview skills and many more.

Towards the end of your course, you will also be required to complete a large evidence-based research project focusing on an area of policing that interests you. 

You will study the course across three terms (semesters) over two years including summer periods to enable a fast-track route to qualification. Typically, modules are defined by year of study and the topics covered during the course are detailed below:

Year One (September to August)

• Academic Skills and Professional Development
• Community Policing
• Technology in Policing
• Understanding Vulnerability and Risk in Society
• Practical Forensics for Policing
• Law, Governance, and the Criminal Justice System
• Roads Policing and Investigations
• Contemporary Operational Policing
• Research Methods for Policing

Year Two (September to August)

• Simulation and Immersive Learning 
• Vulnerability and Public Protection
• Cyber Skills and Digital Investigations
• Serious and Organised Crime
• Police Duties and Law
• Leadership and Professional Development 
• Evidence Based Research Project

We are licensed by the College of Policing to offer the Professional Policing degree. This means our two-year degree meets the core requirements of the National Police Curriculum, ensuring you are taught to the highest professional standard.

What kind of student would this course suit?

The University offers a number of routes to qualify to degree level in Professional Policing, you could opt to study on-campus for three years or take the fast-track two-year option.

This two-year fast-track option is ideal for individuals who are:

• Focused on a career in policing and want to complete the BSc (Hons) Professional Policing in two years as an accelerated entry route into the Police Service as a Police Constable in England and Wales.
• Comfortable with a blended approach to learning and can thrive during online learning, learning independently and in small groups, and who can plan to travel to attend specified venues for ‘consolidation of learning’ exercises.
• Able to commit to engage in immersive challenge-based activities during their studies many of which will be at a campus of the University or a designated approved delivery centre (such as a police training facility).
• Motivation and determination to accelerate their learning while remaining focused and meeting expected deadlines and learning schedules at all times.
• Able to work independently and maintain an effective balance between the demands of learning and other existing commitments, allocating sufficient time every week to complete their studies and take responsibility for their own learning between designated academic checkpoints built into the course.

The course is delivered over two years including study periods that take place over the summer months to enable a fast-track route to qualification.

The course is delivered using a mixture of delivery methods including online live, pre-recorded lectures, in person face to face sessions and challenge based immersive and simulated activities.  The design of the course content allows you to learn flexibly and have access to a variety of learning materials.

As you work your way through each module, you’ll have direct access to a wider support network of lecturers and student services to guide you to successful completion, and ensure you get the most out of your studies.  To help keep you on track, you’ll also benefit from built-in course checkpoints to assess your progress and any further guidance and support you may require - ensuring you flourish during your studies. From live stream drop-ins with teaching staff and guest speaker seminars to interactive quizzes, you’ll be supported every step of the way. 

To compliment your online learning, you’ll also be invited to attend regular face-to-face consolidated learning activities. These on-campus activities will also act as milestone points throughout your studies to help build your confidence and provide an opportunity to join a community of learners.

During your modules you will be required to complete various challenge-based activities using your new knowledge and skills.  These will be called ‘consolidation of learning exercises’ that can be carried out through Hydra Simulation both in-person and virtually.  We also have a Crime Scene Training Facility and a mock court room to assist in preparing our students for their future role in policing.

We use a variety of assessment methods that are tailored to suit the content being studied. For example, law-based modules tend to be assessed using exams, whereas practical scenarios and case studies are used for modules requiring excellent communication, interpersonal and research skills.  So, for instance, if we are assessing your interview skills, you will not be required to write an essay about interview skills! We want you to put your learning into practice, learn from feedback, and then demonstrate these skills by interviewing role actors as part of our simulated learning activities. 

Assessment methods are varied and include: 

• Simulated exercises
• Case studies and scenario analysis 
• Reports and presentations 
• Vlogs and podcasts 
• Professional discussions
• Exams and some essays  
• Journal articles 
• Academic posters