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Professional Policing

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

BA (Hons) Professional Policing

A policing career demands skill, responsibility, leadership and initiative – together with a genuine desire to make a difference to society. Our innovative BA (Hons) Professional Policing prepares you for one of the most challenging professions of all.

Why choose this course?

Studying on our BA (Hons) Professional Policing, you will study a wide range of theoretical and legislative subjects and gain the knowledge you need for a rewarding career in the police service. You’ll prepare for the fast-moving world of policing by following a curriculum written and licensed by the College of Policing.

Is this course for you?

If you want an in-depth understanding of the police officer’s role today – and the chance to explore policing issues critically – this degree is a great choice. You can tailor your studies, choosing from final-year pathways in crime investigation; working with offenders; international criminology; or criminology theory and practice.

How you will learn

BA (Hons) Policing offers a mix of lectures, tutorials, role play, guest lectures and visits to police stations, custody suites, victim support facilities and courts. There’s practical experience in our first-rate training facilities too, which includes a replica custody suite.

Opportunities and experiences

You'll be encouraged to become a Special Constable or Police Support Volunteer during your studies, which will improve your employability and equip you with essentials skills when you graduate. To become a Special Constable, you will have to pass the vetting, assessment centre, medical and fitness procedures relating to the police force to which you have applied. You must be a national of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA), or if a national of a country outside the EEA, have the right to reside in this country without restrictions and in good health and of good character.

We will assist you throughout the application process but the police recruitment panel will make the final decision.

You can find out more about becoming a Special Constable on the College of Policing website: https://recruit.college.police.uk/Special/Pages/eligible.aspx

Please note, direct entry to stage 2 and 3 is not available.

Careers and employability

On graduation, you’ll have completed a significant amount of the training that regular police officers undergo. It makes you a stand-out candidate not only for policing roles but also for careers in areas like civilian investigation, crime reduction, probation, security and loss prevention.

Did you know we also offer this course:

  • With a Foundation Year

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
L435
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 112 points

A level - BBC

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM

Access to HE Diploma - D: 15 credits M: 24 credits P: 6 credits

Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits with 45 at Level 3.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification

T Level - M

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.

English language requirements

IELTS overall score at a minimum of 6.0; with at least IELTS 5.5 in each band (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) or another Secure English Language Test(SELT)at CEFR level B2 or above

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We have excluded the Grades on Entry data for this course. We may operate some flexibility with entry grades to support widening participation, though most of the students that enrol on this course achieve the published entry tariff or above. Applicants who achieve grades below the published tariff may be offered an alternative course or a 4-year route if there is one available. For further information please contact askadmissions@derby.ac.uk.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£16900*Year 1
International£16900*Year 1
England£9535*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535*Year 1
Scotland£9535*Year 1
Wales£9535*Year 1
Channel Islands£9535*Year 1

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The quoted fee is an indicative fee based on last year’s fees, as the fees for the 2026 term not yet been confirmed.

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