Professional Policing

Professional policing combines academic study of criminal justice, law, sociology, psychology and public policy with the practical preparation and professional formation that modern policing demands. The police service is a complex and challenging environment that requires officers to make high-stakes decisions under pressure, maintain public trust, uphold human rights and engage with diverse communities while dealing with crime, disorder and vulnerability. Graduates entering policing through a degree route bring a level of analytical thinking, contextual awareness and professional self-reflection that is increasingly valued in the service.

At Edge Hill University this three-year, full-time programme is one of the recognised pathways into policing in England and Wales under the Police Education Qualification Framework, giving you the academic qualification needed when applying for police officer roles. You will study criminal law, human rights, public order, safeguarding, evidence-based policing, criminological theory, social inequality and the ethical and organisational dimensions of policing, developing the knowledge and the reflective practice that will support you throughout a policing career. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and work placements, giving you direct experience in police or criminal justice settings and an international perspective on policing approaches and comparative criminal justice.

The practical skills, social awareness and professional commitment the degree develops prepare you for the realities of policing as well as for the examination of it.

Graduates are well positioned to apply for police constable roles in England and Wales, and many go on to careers that include detective work, specialist investigations, public protection, counter-terrorism and leadership development within the service. Some graduates also find roles in related criminal justice, probation or community safety fields, and others continue to postgraduate study in criminology, public policy or security studies.