Course details

Study options

Full-time: 2 years

UK fee

£11,100 per year (2023/24)

International fee

£16,850 per year (2023/24)

UCAS points

120-128 (September 2023 entry)

UCAS code

L436

Course level

Undergraduate

Qualification

BA (Hons)

Start date

September

Location

One Friar Gate Square, Derby Campus

Course description

Our intensive accelerated BA (Hons) Professional Policing course provides an alternative route for ambitious students who want to complete a pre-join policing degree in a shorter time frame than usual. You will follow a curriculum written and licensed by the College of Policing, giving you all the theoretical knowledge and practical skills expected of a high-level entrant to the profession.

The highlights

Please note that completion of this degree does not guarantee employment as a police officer or police staff.

Why this course?

As career opportunities in policing are due to grow dramatically, with the government having committed to a recruitment drive of an additional 20,000 police officers, we have become the first university in the country to introduce the accelerated route to the BA (Hons) Professional Policing.

This course provides the same comprehensive preparation for a policing career as our traditional three-year degree, but with the teaching condensed into two years to include tuition over the summer. It is a convenient and more affordable option if you want to progress from education to employment quickly and have both the capacity and capability to commit to a more intensive study programme.

We will help you develop an in-depth understanding of the role of a police officer today, including a thorough grasp of criminal justice systems and the powers and laws used by the police in England and Wales. Throughout, you will have the chance to apply theory to practice with case studies, practical scenarios, research projects and volunteering opportunities with local police forces.

Challenge and choice

The course is delivered through a combination of face-to-face teaching, work-based learning and self-directed learning, taking place over three semesters during the year instead of the traditional two. Your learning experience will be rigorous and demanding, but we offer a full range of support to help you meet the challenge and achieve your goals.

The final stage of the degree enables you to focus on an area of policing that particularly interests you and matches your career aspirations. For your dissertation, you will work on a real-life issue or solve a problem, currently experienced by local police forces, producing evidence-based research which can influence change within the profession and the wider community.

Become a Special Constable with Nottinghamshire Police

The BA (Hons) Professional Policing (Accelerated) includes two pathways options. You can choose the theory only route, or you can choose to apply to become a Special Constable while completing your studies, in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police. Being a Special Constable gives you invaluable practical insights into what it is like to work in a local constabulary, making you a standout candidate when applying for a role in the force. You will still follow the same high-quality curriculum as students who do not pursue this option but your experiences in the workplace will enrich your learning and stand you in good stead for the future.

We have partnered with Nottinghamshire Police to deliver the Special Constable route and you will need to pass the relevant vetting, assessment centre, medical and fitness procedures set by them in order to join the Special Constable route.

Your questions answered

In this video, Chief Inspector Richard Stapleford discusses what it is like to study on our fast track two-year degree in Professional Policing.

Our intensive accelerated BA (Hons) Professional Policing course provides an alternative route for ambitious students who want to complete a pre-join policing degree in a shorter time frame than usual

View BA (Hons) Professional Policing (Accelerated) video transcript

Expert teaching

Our teaching staff have years of policing experience at all levels, giving you fresh perspectives on real world policing alongside the relevant academic theories. You can also draw on our excellent network of contacts ranging from chief constables and crime commissioners to representatives of national and international policing organisations.

Our outstanding visiting speaker and events programme captures topical issues and debates. Recent guests have included policing experts from the USA – a retired police Captain, a retired Chief of Police and a current SWAT commander – who provided a unique insight into their policing models. In addition, the former Chief Constable of Derbyshire shared experiences from his career, the changes which have transformed the profession and the challenges for policing in the 21st Century.

Your studies will be underpinned by our leading-edge research into the explanations and motivations for criminal behaviour and how criminal activity can be detected and prevented. This includes a focus on the notion of policing itself, ethical codes, human rights and police governance.

Equipment and resources 

As a BA (Hons) Professional Policing student, you will be based at our Derby Campus at our One Friar Gate Square site. Offering the perfect environment for innovative and engaging teaching, it includes a replica custody suite (complete with interview rooms and cell), mock crown court and interview rooms alongside well-resourced lecture theatres, seminar rooms and social learning spaces. Students have also been able to make use of other specialist facilities at the University such as our forensic crime scene house.

Because you will be working alongside students taking courses in subjects such as law, criminology and sociology, there are many opportunities to share knowledge, expertise and experience in the field of criminal justice.

A look around the Custody Suite and One Friar Gate Square, the home of the School of Law and Social Sciences
A police car with blue lights on.

What you will study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

You will learn through a stimulating mix of:

How you are assessed

You will be assessed in a range of ways including:

Who you'll meet

You will be taught by a teaching team with over 250 years combined experience in the criminal justice sector. They include:

Dr Rich Stapleford (Chief Inspector of Nottinghamshire Police)

Mark Flint-Freel

Katherine Hewitt

Amy Hale (programme leader)

Barrie Archer

Dr Craig Hughes (Head of Policing)

Dr Phil Jones

Dr David Hicks

Personal academic tutoring

Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.

Find out more about personal academic tutoring

Who will teach you

Amy Hale
Programme leader

Amy has been with the University of Derby since January 2020 ss a lecturer on the BA (Hons) Professional Policing degree course. This course is accredited by the College of Policing and is one of the new entry routes into a career in policing

View full staff profileView full staff profile

Entry requirements

2023 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2023 entry.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points120-128
A LevelABB-BBB
T LevelMerit - Distinction
BTECDDM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6

As part of the application process, we would like all applicants to demonstrate in their personal statement their skills, interests and passion for this course, with a particular emphasis on how you intend to manage your workload and other commitments whilst on this degree. Due to the intensity of an accelerated degree, we want to ensure all applicants are best prepared beforehand to successfully meet the academic requirements of a two-year degree.

Alternative entry qualifications

The University of Derby in collaboration with Nottinghamshire Police and Derbyshire Constabulary run the police cadet scheme resulting in the Foundation in Policing qualification. On successful completion of the Foundation in Policing, applicants applying for this course will qualify for entry.

We will consider applicants with alternative academic profiles and significant work experience that can demonstrate ability at interview.

Additional entry requirements

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points120-128
A LevelABB-BBB
T LevelMerit
BTECDDM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 21, Merit: 24, Pass: 0

As part of the application process, we would like all applicants to demonstrate in their personal statement their skills, interests and passion for this course, with a particular emphasis on how you intend to manage your workload and other commitments whilst on this degree. Due to the intensity of an accelerated degree, we want to ensure all applicants are best prepared beforehand to successfully meet the academic requirements of a two-year degree.

Alternative entry qualifications

The University of Derby in collaboration with Nottinghamshire Police and Derbyshire Constabulary run the police cadet scheme resulting in the Foundation in Policing qualification. On successful completion of the Foundation in Policing, applicants applying for this course will qualify for entry.

We will consider applicants with alternative academic profiles and significant work experience that can demonstrate ability at interview.

Additional entry requirements

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2023/24

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£11,100 per year

N/A

International

£16,850 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS.

Apply through UCASApply directly to the University
International students

Applications for September 2023 are now open. Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS.

Apply through UCASApply directly to the University

Careers

This course is aimed at ambitious individuals who want to pursue a career in policing. It paves the way for you to join a hugely rewarding profession which brings new challenges every day, demanding high levels of responsibility, dedication and integrity.

Although the BA (Hons) Professional Policing qualification will not guarantee you a position within the police service, it will set you apart as an attractive candidate to secure a role. Taking the two-year accelerated route will also mark you out as a committed, confident and resourceful individual.

In addition, the skills you develop on the course could prove invaluable for a career within the broader criminal justice system. You could, for instance, consider roles in areas such as civilian investigation, crime reduction partnerships, probation, security and loss prevention.

Our Careers and Employment Service will provide you with support from day one of your course to ensure you leave Derby as a 'work-ready' graduate - industry aware, motivated and enterprising.

Throughout your studies, you will also benefit from our Personal Development Planning (PDP) scheme which enables you to reflect on your learning and develop your career ambitions. The support continues once you have completed your course too: you are entitled to further help and guidance from the Careers and Employment Service for up to three years after leaving the University.

Further study

You can choose to progress to postgraduate study at Derby: one of the benefits of the accelerated route to the BA (Hons) Professional Policing is that you can continue studying and gain both an undergraduate degree and a masters qualification in just three years.

We offer MSc qualifications in subjects such as Criminal Investigation and Police Leadership, Strategy and Organisation. These expand your knowledge into specialist areas and pave the way to more senior and leadership roles.

As a graduate of the University of Derby, you may benefit from an alumni discount on your postgraduate course fees if you continue to study with us. 

If you need any more information from us, such as on courses, accommodation, applications, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us Contact us

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

Included in your fees
Mandatory costs not included in your fees

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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