Alongside the practical skills, procedures and knowledge of the law, you will develop an understanding of offending, the impact on victims and the wider challenges of police work.
Licensed by the College of Policing, the course is a recognised route into the police service and will place you in the best position when applying for jobs. You’ll be taught by experienced professionals – including former senior officers - who have walked the path you’re plotting.
From dealing with knife crime and public order offences through to online grooming and organised gangs, the world of policing is hugely varied.
On the course, you’ll look at response policing, covert operations, investigative techniques, arrest and detention powers, and the rules around evidence disclosure and sources. We will also cover vulnerabilities such as domestic abuse and mental health issues.
You will follow the practical policing techniques used in real-life investigations, learning how to protect a crime scene, interview suspects and take witness statements.
Using our £2.2m simulation facilities, you’ll practise different scenarios. We’ll get you to apply for a search warrant, book a suspect into our mock custody suite and defend your case in our courtroom.
But it won’t just be police training as you’ll delve into criminology, social factors and evidence-led research too. We explore issues raised by high-profile cases like the murders of Sarah Everard and Stephen Lawrence.
You’ll be taught by staff with extensive academic and operational expertise, including former police officers. They have backgrounds in areas such as investigating missing people, child sexual exploitation and major crimes.
Many students also gain wider experience by becoming special constables or doing crime prevention work through our Cop Shop.
Completing our BSc (Hons) Professional Policing degree will equip you with a high level of knowledge and expertise of carrying out the role of the police constable and the complex requirements of 21st century policing. Although specifically designed for those seeking to become police constables with Police forces in England & Wales, the programme is of value to those interested in other branches of law enforcement and who are considering pursuing a career in the wider policing sector.
Our well-rounded programme will give you the best chance of employability after graduation. You’ll get the chance to study under experienced professionals, who have walked the path you’re plotting, and all while using our state-of-the-art facilities. At University of Staffordshire we have a dedicated Crime Scene House for you to practise real-life situations and investigations, and mock courtrooms for a chance to experience a taste of the justice system. There’ll also be opportunities to listen to active professionals in guest lectures and seminars, and the chance to get out of the classroom and experience the world of law enforcement on organised trips.
Our BSc (Hons) Professional Policing is delivered under licence by the College of Policing, who are the professional body for policing in England & Wales.
The Foundation Year option is available for those who may not have the academic profile for direct entry onto the 3-year degree. It will prepare you for the Professional Policing degree by studying modules such as Crime in Context and Theories of Criminality. The Foundation year is taught with the City of Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College, so you will be on the University of Staffordshire Stoke on Trent campus and the college's campus for the first year.