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Professional Policing at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.

Buckinghamshire New University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

18Jan
Buckinghamshire New University Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

The police constable is the heartbeat of effective policing and this degree will give you all the knowledge required to start a career in this role. This College of Policing accredited course offers a policing standard, knowledge-based examination of policing challenges and criminal justice processes and will help you to be able to make an informed choice about your future career destination within policing. Why Study Policing at BNU Career-focused Curriculum

  • This course gives you the theoretical and practical skills you’ll need for a future in law enforcement by covering essential topics including criminology, criminal justice, and evidence-based policing. Additionally, we place a high priority on helping you hone your leadership, ethical awareness, and decision-making skills. This course not only prepares you for operational roles in policing but also equips you with transferable skills for careers in the wider criminal justice system.
Specialist Facilities
  • This course gives you the theoretical and practical skills you’ll need for a future in law enforcement by covering essential topics including criminology, criminal justice, and evidence-based policing. Additionally, we place a high priority on helping you hone your leadership, ethical awareness, and decision-making skills. This course not only prepares you for operational roles in policing but also equips you with transferable skills for careers in the wider criminal justice system.
Strong Links with Local Policing Authorities:
  • BNU has long established connections with local police services, offering you networking opportunities, guest lectures from active professionals, and potential recruitment pathways.
Accredited by the College of Policing:
  • This course is officially licensed by the College of Policing, meaning it adheres to the national standards set for police education in the UK. Being accredited ensures that the degree meets the academic requirements for those who wish to become police officers in England and Wales. This provides you with a pathway into a policing career, knowing that your qualification is recognized by police services across the country.
What will I study? You’ll study a range of subjects designed to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for modern policing. The course follows the National Policing Curriculum and covers key areas like criminology and criminal justice, where you'll explore the causes and consequences of crime, as well as the workings of the criminal justice system and its interaction with policing. You'll also focus on police powers and procedures, gaining a solid understanding of the legal framework surrounding activities like arrest, search, and detention. This makes sure you know the laws governing police work. Evidence-based policing is another important component, where you'll learn how to use research and data to inform policing strategies, helping you make informed, effective decisions. Ethics and human rights are central to the course, teaching you to uphold ethical standards and navigate the complexities of community-oriented policing. You will also study criminal investigation techniques, covering everything from evidence collection to interviewing witnesses and suspects. The course places a strong emphasis on leadership and professional development, helping you build the skills necessary for supervisory roles and career progression. Additionally, practical learning through simulations, case studies, and work placements is integrated throughout the program, providing you with hands-on experience to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. This course is also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree. 

Modules

Year one Core Modules Introduction to Professional Policing Criminal Justice Legislation Professional Policing Standards Pluralised Policing Policing Processes Policing Concepts Year two Core Modules Professional Standards and Community Policing Public Protection Operational Decisions, Risk & Crime Operational Policing Priorities, Performance and Delivery Evidence Based Policing Evidence Based Policing Research Methods Year one Core Modules Conducting ethical criminal investigations – best practice Conducting ethical criminal investigations - professionalisation Operational policing challenges The strategic context of policing & complex challenge Evidence-based policing research project – preparation and implementation

Assessment method

Modules are delivered through a blended learning approach comprised of: lectures seminars simulated role play type scenarios carried out in our Police Code of Practice Suite research-based activities classroom-based discussion individual tutorials workshops. Formative assessment is a key feature of the programme, enabling early feedback to be given on progress and to help students improve their performance. Formative exercises may be conducted as a group or individually and may include poster presentations and simulated tasks within our Police Code of Practice Suite. Academic achievement will normally be demonstrated through completion of pieces of coursework such as essays, reports, presentations, portfolios and projects, or by sitting formal examinations and time-constrained assessments. The University also has a dedicated academic skills centre, Student Learning and Achievement, which can provide additional support in areas such as presentations skills, time-management, academic reading, referencing or academic writing, research for essay preparation and how to prepare effectively for examinations in addition to being assigned a personal tutor from the academic team.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • College of Policing

How to apply

29Jan

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.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

For information about applying to Buckinghamshire New University as an International applicant, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/international

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.bnu.ac.uk/study/general-entry-requirements

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6We require an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element lower that 5.5) or a recognised equivalent.

If English is not your first language or if you have studied in a non-majority English-speaking country, then you will typically be required to demonstrate your English language ability (speaking, listening, reading & writing) by way of a test such as IELTS.

BNU English Language Requirements

https://www.bnu.ac.uk/study/general-entry-requirements

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
EU £14250 Year 1
International £14250 Year 1

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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Sponsorship information

Buckinghamshire New University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/financial-support-bursaries-and-scholarships

Professional Policing at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS