Course fees
| Tuition fee type | Cost (per annum) |
|---|---|
| Part-time tuition fee: | Not applicable |
About your course
The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship is one of a number of entry routes into the policing sector. Successful applicants will enter a programme that will include on-the-job learning within police constabularies to ultimately become a police constable.
- PLEASE NOTE: Applications for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) will only be to a host Police Force. Currently, the Police across England and Wales are involved in a procurement process and it is unlikely that most Police organisations will advertise Degree Apprenticeship vacancies before mid-2019. LJMU will be involved in the delivery of the PCDA, but each Police Force will retain control of their recruitment for the Degree Apprenticeship. To view current policing vacancies please view individual Police Forces’ websites.
- The Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) introduced by the College of Policing states from 2020 there will be three entry routes into policing, including the PCDA
- Degree Apprentices will study for three years while training to become a police constable
- The starting salary for new PEQF entry Police Constables is £23,586
- Subjects you will study include: code of ethics; duty of care; professional standards; equality; service delivery; efficiency and effectiveness; value for money; diversity and human rights; criminal law; work with communities and evidence-based practice
- Delivered by experts in the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies
The introduction of the degree apprenticeship route into policing enables entrants to receive practical on-the-job learning alongside academic theory and knowledge while earning a wage.
Work-related learning
Successful completion of the Degree Apprenticeship will result in permanent employment as a police constable. While you will be employed by the host constabulary and will learn on-the-job, you will spend one-day per week in university where you will study a range of degree-level modules written to the College of Policing's PEQF guidelines.
Support and guidance
The PCDA programme will be co-managed by the host force and Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies.
As a police constable apprentice you will receive support from your employer and learning guidance, tutor support and online support from LCAPS staff. You will also receive access to LJMU's student support services, libraries and online resources.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make an international opportunity available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree, either in Europe or the US. You could take part in a work placement in Europe under the ERASMUS+ scheme or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. There are also opportunities to attend a two-week summer school with one of our worldwide partners.
Our Go Global Fund can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about studying or working abroad or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
Course details
The programme is designed to accommodate the requirements and needs of different policing organisations.
An initial face-to-face period at University will be supplemented by access to police training facilities at Mather Avenue in Liverpool and Lea Green in St Helens. Academic staff will be supported by competent police practitioners, while learning will be classroom-based with scenario and role-play work. You will receive training on typical equipment utilised by police officers, as well as health and safety, police IT and systems. Many of our Policing Studies students receive specialist training and experiential events, such as the
Further learning blocks across the rest of the programme will be supported by workplace education and practice. A reflective Occupational Competence Portfolio (OCP) will be compiled by the apprentices alongside the academic programme. Occupational competence will be a cornerstone, alongside intellectual ability. At the end of the programme, successfully completing the EPA will result in permanent appointment.
What you will study on this degree
Subject areas within the programme will include:
- Introduction to Policing (histories and models)
- Diversity and Human Rights
- Evidence-based Policing
- Code of Ethics
- Duty of Care
- Professional Standards
- Quality Service Delivery
- Efficiency and Effectiveness
- Value for Money
- Criminal Law
- Work with Communities
The study of criminal law and investigative skills are high on the agenda. Full details of the modules you will study on the PCDA will be made available soon.
Teaching and learning
Your lecturers are academics or former practitioners who have become academic practitioners upon leaving their respective services.
The LCAPS teaching team includes three former Chief Constables, Detective Inspectors, criminal investigators, criminologists and criminal justice specialists who will provide you with the very latest learning, insights and expertise across a wide cross-section of policing and law enforcement matters.
As an LCAPS student, you will have access to a wide range of learning events, including Masterclasses with key law enforcement experts and annual chief constable lectures.
Your lecturers
You will be taught by a range of academics and ‘practitioner’ academics across the LCAPS team, each of whom have varied research interests and specialisms.
Members of the team are involved in research into aspects of Criminal Justice, such as offender management and maritime security, with published work in these and other areas.
Current research includes: guns and gangs; scrambler bikes and ASB; gender and policing; policing and mental health; terrorism; major crime; people trafficking and modern slavery.
Within the PCDA programme, students will undertake research projects as part of their studies. The variety of research interests is such that supervision will be undertaken by individuals with knowledge of many areas of criminal justice and the wider policing sector.
Assessment and feedback
Academic assessment will be undertaken to the University's rigorous standards.
Generally you will be assessed using written assignments, presentations and exams.
The majority of the assessment of professional skills will be carried out in the workplace with the compilation of an Occupational Competence portfolio (OCP). This will be supported by workplace mentors and assessors as well as LJMU staff. In addition there will be a requirement for self-reflection and at least one assessment in level 5 and 6 will include reflection reports.
These together with the OCP will be subject of the End-Point Assessment. Each level will have a pass/fail element within one module. This is to ensure incorporation of the OCP during the whole learning phase, both in University and in the workplace. Degree Apprentices must prove their academic ability in the workplace to move though the programme.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Application and selection
LJMU entry requirements will align with the employing force. The programme recruits on a closed client basis, students may not fit the standard academic entry criteria for undergraduate policing courses.
What qualifcations will I need?
To undertake the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) you will need to have achieved a minimum of a Level 3 qualification in any subject (or equivalent) and Level 2 in English and Mathematics (or equivalent - see GCSE requirements for equivalents) prior to entry.
To complete the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) you will need to have achieved an Honours Degree; Third class and above.
When can I apply depending on my A Level results. Will you accept a conditional offer?
Police Reulations state you need to be 18-years of age in order to apply to become a police office. We will accept applicants who meet the age criteria and who are waiting for results from A Levels or equivalent qualifications (or Degree results if applying for the Degree Holder Entry Programme, however the minimum entry criteria requirements must be met prior to being offer a start date.
The recruitment process will follow national requirements for police recruitment, which involves a Police Initial Recruitment Test (PIRT), an interview, medical test, fitness test and police vetting procedures. Candidates will be offered employment once they have satisfied all stages. In order to apply to a police organisation the normal entry criteria for a police officer must be fulfilled, for example, aged 18 or over, nationality requirements etc. There will also be input from LJMU Academic Registry and the LJMU Student Administration and Recruitment teams, but as a programme with a closed client group the students will be first and foremost apprentices employed by the relevant police organisation. For more information please view the College of Policing Programme Specification document.
GCSE and equivalents
- Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below: • Key Skills Level 2 in English/ Maths • NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading • Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English • Higher Diploma in Maths/ English • Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/ English • Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number • Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
A Levels
- Minimum number of A Levels required:
BTEC qualifications
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Applications for RPL will not be accepted on this programme.
International requirementsPlease Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC.
Finance/fees
If your company is an apprenticeship levy paying organisation, the course can be funded through your digital apprenticeship account. If your company does not pay the apprenticeship levy, the course may be eligible for government co-investment.
For information on fees and finance please contact: degreeapprenticeships@ljmu.ac.uk
Career prospects
The PCDA is one of the new direct routes into UK policing.
On completion of the three-year Degree Apprenticeship programme, the participants will undertake an End-Point Assessment. Completion of the EPA will lead to permanent employment as a police officer with the particular police force.
Policing is a rewarding and varied profession, with very clear and achievable progression routes for officers with the right attitude and ambition.
Professional accreditation / links
International study
Please note: this programme is not suitable for students who require a Tier 4 visa. Due to immigration requirements, Tier 4 international students must study on a full-time basis.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.
