Degree in Professional Policing

The Degree in Professional Policing BA (Hons) at DMU equips you with a comprehensive understanding of policing, including the causes, legal framework, and responses to crime. Licensed by the College of Policing, this programme provides you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for UK policing.

Designed to prepare you for a career in both public and private policing sectors, this course is taught by experienced former police service staff, ensuring your learning aligns with the College of Policing’s National Policing Curriculum. This ensures you are prepared for modern policing challenges.

Our programme allows you to combine academic modules with volunteering as a special constable. Our excellent and knowledgeable teaching staff will support you in applying for this role. You could gain invaluable experience supporting local police in tackling crime and can significantly enhance your employability within the police service after graduation.

• Special Constable Volunteering: Apply your academic learning to real-world situations by volunteering as a special constable (subject to meeting requirements).

• National Policing Curriculum: Your studies will be aligned with contemporary policing developments and challenges, ensuring you are career-ready.

• Focused learning:  Modules are delivered through our block teaching approach, so you can concentrate on one subject at a time.

• Industry-informed teaching: Learn from former police service staff with first-hand experience of the policing sector, ensuring practical, relevant knowledge.

• Global experience: Benefit from DMU Global with the opportunity to visit the Department for Police Work at Malmo University, Sweden to actively experience international policing and training.

• Career focused: Tailored for a wide range of career paths within the police service and investigatory sectors, our graduates thrive in roles such as police officer, police constable, and learning support worker - making an impact at organisations like Northamptonshire Police, Nottinghamshire Police, South Yorkshire Police, and Inaura.

• Benefit from our connections: Engage with the Society of Evidence-Based Policing and the East Midlands Police and Academic Consortium for valuable industry insight.

Please note: Successful completion of the BA (Hons) Degree in Professional Policing does not guarantee entry into any Police Service in England and Wales.

First Year
Block 1: Profession of Policing (30 credits)
Block 2: Problem-based Policing (30 credits)
Block 3: Legislation and Policy (30 credits)
Block 4: Research and Study Skills (30 credits)

Second Year
Block 1: Research and Practice (15 credits)
Block 1: Choose one from the below: (15 credits)
*Religion, Faith and Crime
*Mental Health and Crime
*Families, Crime and Justice
*Restorative Justice and Rehabilitation
*Drugs and Substance Misuse
*Crime, Deviance and Subcultures
*Domestic Abuse
*Media and Crime
Block 2: Research and Practice (II) (30 credits)
Block 3: Critical Incident Management & Leadership (I) (30 credits)
Block 4: Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing (I) (30 credits)

Third Year
Block 1: Multi-Agency
Block 2: Critical Incident Management & Leadership (II)
Block 3: Leadership and Management of Contemporary Issues in Policing (II)
Block 4: Dissertation

A variety of teaching methods, include:
Lectures
Case studies
Seminars
Desk-top exercises
Workshops
E-learning
Specialist guest lectures from practitioners
Visits to practitioners in action
Assessment methods include:
Essays
Examinations
Phase Tests
Presentations
Posters
Case-study critiques
Desk-top, simulated exercises
Policy books
Research Proposal
Dissertation
All of which will be developed as you progress through the course.
Your precise timetable will depend on your modules; however, typical teaching time is approximately 15 hours each week. In addition, you will also be expected to achieve approximately 20 hours of self-directed study.