Policing and Security Degrees
Taught by former police staff and internationally renowned academics
Gain the skills needed for the challenges of modern policing
Our students use exactly the same system that police use to train their staff
Courses taught for over 15 years and recognised by police forces in England and Wales
POLICING AND SECURITY DEGREES
Experience Real-life Crime
Kick-start your career with realistic crime scene training in immersive teaching facilities, taught by former police staff who can share a wealth of operational knowledge.
Our professional policing course is also recognised by police forces in England and Wales, giving you that competitive edge when applying to the police. So you’ll be able to hit the ground running with on-the-job training if successful.
We also have taster courses that you can complete to get a feel for the subject before embarking on your degree.
Internationally Renowned Academics
You will study in a thriving environment where real-life, cutting edge research influences what we teach. Taught by former police staff and internationally renowned academics, Policing has been taught at the university for more than 15 years.
Facing Real-World Challenges
Our Policing and Security degrees will prepare you for the challenges of modern policing and related professions, such as the UK Border Agency, security organisations (MI5/MI6), the National Crime Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, the military police, and private organisations.
Industry-Standard Facilities
Our facilities will boost your learning experience and help you put your knowledge into practice. Our Hydra Simulation Suite is used to train police officers at all levels. This means our students use exactly the same system that police use to train their staff to be better police officers.
Placement Opportunities
Students are encouraged to apply for placement opportunities with a number of police forces. After completing their qualification, they leave us at the top of their game and with confidence.
Strong Partnerships
Students benefit from our range of industry links to a number of police forces, meaning they get a glimpse into what being a police officer is really like and gain knowledge from experts in the field.
Policing and Security Courses
Undergraduate and Postgraduate
This Professional Policing degree, designed to meet all the core requirements of the National Police Curriculum for the College of Policing’s pre-join degree in Professional Policing, will prepare you for the challenges of modern policing and related professions.
BSc (Hons) Professional Policing
BSc (Hons) Professional Policing (Accelerated)
BSc (Hons) Professional Policing (Including Foundation Year)
This masters course, designed in conjunction with local forces and building upon core requirements of the National Police Curriculum, will develop the leadership and management skills needed for progression in force. This course is taught by leading academics from the International Centre for Policing and Security.
This MSc course will facilitate the development of strategic skills and advanced knowledge in the concepts and theories that underpin global security challenges including including cyber threats, terrorism, complex and organised crime and the challenges posed by states and non-state actors.
Operational Policing Courses
If you join the police without a degree-level qualification, you can follow a three-year professional degree apprenticeship known as the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA).
If you already have a degree when you join the police, you can join and follow a two-year work-based programme known as the Degree-holder Entry Programme (DHEP).
Research Degrees
We offer a number of Masters by Research postgraduate research programmes which allow you to make an in-depth study of a topic that interests you or your organisation. You can study full-time or part-time, on campus or by distance.
We offer a Police Sciences PhD, which allow you to make an in-depth study of a topic that interests you or your organisation. You can study full-time or part-time, on campus or by distance.
Policing and Security research at USW
The International Centre for Policing and Security (ICPS) at the University of South Wales is the UK's oldest and most reputable policing and security centre. It undertakes research that informs UK and EU governments, specialising in key security issues such as terrorism, political violence, cybercrime and warfare and transnational organised crime.
In the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2019/20, USW ranked 9th overall for student satisfaction.
Hear from our Students
Whether it be because of our outstanding team of internationally-renowned lecturers or our industry-standard facilities that prepare you for the workplace, there is a range of things students consider before choosing to study Policing at USW.
Hear from a few of our students and discover what makes Policing and Security at USW so special to them.
FREE TASTER COURSES
Get a taste of studying at USW
Thinking about studying a degree, but unsure whether USW is right for you? Our short taster courses cover a variety of topics to introduce you to your chosen area of study and give you a glimpse into how you will learn at USW.
Taster courses vary in length, but you can stop, resume or replay the taster course at any time once you’ve started. You can also track your progress during each course.
This taster course introduces the role of the police and the criminal justice system and covers topics such as theft, treatment of victims and missing persons. The course is delivered through video tutorials and interactive tasks.
Locations
Experience South Wales
The places you study and live make a big difference to what you get out of university. It’s important to be somewhere that feels like home, but can also surprise you. South Wales offers rich experiences, with Cardiff at the heart.
With campuses in and around Cardiff, you can experience the diversity that South Wales has to offer – the buzz of the cities, the beauty of the coast, and the calm of the countryside.
We have five campuses across three locations, but we’re one university. Every campus is open to you and whatever inspires you, you’re always welcome.
Open Days
Explore USW
Join us at an open day or live event and discover the opportunities waiting for you at the University of South Wales.
You'll have the chance to explore our campuses at Cardiff, Newport or Pontypridd, meet academic staff and current students, learn about life at USW and student money, and take part in interactive activities related to your course. For those who can't attend an on-campus event, we run online and on-demand events. There's plenty of ways to discover what USW is all about.
Don’t forget to follow us on social to keep up with what’s happening at USW. #USWFamily
CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY
Put theory into practice
Join us at an open day or live event and discover the opportunities waiting for you at the University of South Wales.
You'll have the chance to explore our campuses at Cardiff, Newport or Pontypridd, meet academic staff and current students, learn about life at USW and student money, and take part in interactive activities related to your course. For those who can't attend an on-campus event, we run online and on-demand events. There's plenty of ways to discover what USW is all about.
Don’t forget to follow us on social to keep up with what’s happening at USW. #USWFamily
Policing Research
Influence Change
71% of USW’s Social Work and Social Policy research is world leading or internationally excellent, and students who are taught by research-active lecturers benefit from their industry know-how and contacts.
Our lecturers, who are often leaders in their field, design and inform our course content, ensuring you benefit from the latest knowledge and developments in your subject and beyond.
Our commitment to research is why USW is ranked first in Wales for impact out of three universities for Social Work and Social Policy.
Apply
Ready to apply? We can't wait to welcome you to the #USWFamily. You can apply via UCAS or USW.
Chat
Chat to our students, lecturers or staff. We're here to help answer any questions you may have.
Student Life
Make friends for life, try out lots of new things and become more independent than ever before.
Accommodation
Where you live is just as important as what you study. Let's find your home away from home.