Investigation. Justice. Protect.

Policing is undergoing far-reaching transformations in terms of rapidly changing crime types, diverse public expectations and technological developments that will continue to alter the ways in which policing is done.

What opportunities will you have in a Professional Policing degree?

Our exciting degree programme in Policing will offer a unique insight into contemporary law enforcement, the role of the Police in society, and the challenges they face. Key to the transformation of policing is the better development and application of research evidence, science and analysis to generate new approaches to established and emerging law enforcement activity.

Why choose Northumbria to study Professional Policing?

The BSc in Professional Policing at Northumbria University is a research rich programme which draws from criminology, law, forensic science, fraud management and investigation, and cybercrime. You will learn from the experts, from a range of subject-area backgrounds, about the future challenges facing contemporary policing and the innovative responses being developed to address them. The policing degree will address critical questions that span expertise in Social Sciences, Law, Psychology, and Business allowing you to explore problems not only from a criminological, but also a sociological, legal and cultural perspective relating to the role, function and philosophical approaches to policing.  

Northumbria University is licensed by the College of Policing to deliver the Pre-join Degree in Professional Policing and meets all the requirements of their national curriculum. Please note that there are no guarantees of entry to a police force post-completion of the BSc (Hons) Professional Policing. The recruitment process for joining police forces is separate and each police force specifies its own entry requirements. 

See other similar courses you may be interested in, including BSc (Hons) Sociology and a Criminology degree, to gain a comprehensive understanding of social dynamics, crime, and the factors that influence human behaviour in both disciplines.

How will I learn during this Professional Policing course?

The BSc Professional Policing will encompass the national curriculum for the professional education of people seeking entry into policing at the level of police constable.

The policing specific curriculum has been designed by the College of Policing (the professional body for all those working in the police service) to be professionally transformative. The curriculum reflects the contemporary areas of knowledge, skills and professional practice essential to the 21st century police constable role.

These include (but are not limited to): evidence-based policing; decision making and discretion; criminology and crime prevention; pro-active approaches to vulnerability, risk and public protection; and modern policing trends such as digital policing

Who teaches Professional Policing at Northumbria?

Academics from our team are helping shape tomorrow by carrying out significant research which directly informs and impacts upon policing policy and practice. The staff delivering this programme have very strong track-records in conducting research on policing and engage regularly with local, national and international police services. You will be learning from people at the cutting-edge of contemporary policing practice.

When studying the Professional Policing course you will be taught by our experienced and inspirational staff who bring their wealth of knowledge in the sector, as well as a strong background in research, to the classroom.  Academic staff teaching on the programme will be drawn from Criminology, Law, Business, Forensic Science, Leadership and Management, Digital Forensics, Media, Psychology and Social Work, allowing us to offer a multi-disciplinary approach to the teaching and learning experience on the programme.

How does the facilities at Northumbria improve your learning on this course?

As a student on the BSc Professional Policing, you will have access to unrivalled facilities located at our City Campus including: the specially designed courtroom equipped with DVD recording, enabling students to gain real-life exposure to the courtroom environment and develop their practical skills and experience mock trials; the brand new dedicated Computer Network Technology and Digital Security labs and open access computing areas; the comprehensive media centre with television and radio studios; as well as our bespoke crime scene house for mock crime scene investigations.

We complement our classroom learning through our online virtual learning environment, where we direct you to electronic learning sources and compose video podcasts and online quizzes to consolidate and evaluate your acquired knowledge.

How does studying at Northumbria prepare you for your future?

This three-year knowledge-based degree will equip you with the practical experience and theoretical knowledge now required to join the Police force as a Police Constable in England and Wales.  With the additional opportunities on the programme to gain practical experience through volunteering within the criminal justice system, our graduates may also go on to work within the wider criminal justice system. Overall this dynamic programme will develop your understanding of the complex relationship between theory and practice, providing a great start to a career in the field of policing and criminal justice.