Professional Policing

Professional policing is a degree designed to prepare graduates for careers in the police service, reflecting a significant shift in how policing as a profession is understood and trained for in the UK. Since 2020, policing has been a degree-level profession, meaning that new police officers are expected to enter with or achieve degree-level qualification. A professional policing degree develops both the academic knowledge and the practical and ethical dispositions that effective policing demands, including an understanding of law, criminal justice, community engagement, and the social and psychological dimensions of the police role.

At the University of Gloucestershire, this three-year full-time programme provides a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of professional policing. You will study criminal law and procedure, criminology, social and community issues relevant to policing, police ethics and accountability, investigation and evidence, diversity and inclusion, and the psychology of crime and conflict. Gloucestershire's connections with local constabularies and criminal justice agencies support the applied and professional dimensions of the degree, and the programme is designed in alignment with the College of Policing's national framework for police education.

Studying professional policing as an academic discipline gives you more than procedural training: it develops the critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and cultural awareness that modern policing increasingly requires in a diverse and complex society. You will also develop strong communication and problem-solving skills that are valued beyond the police service.

Graduates of professional policing degrees are well positioned to join police forces across England and Wales under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework. The degree also provides a foundation for careers in related criminal justice roles, including the probation service, border force, the intelligence services, and security management. Some graduates go on to postgraduate study in criminology, law, or related fields.