BSc (Hons) Professional Policing

What you will study

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)

In the first year, students will be introduced to key concepts and principles in policing, developing foundational skills and knowledge required for the police constable role. They will also focus on professional standards, the legal framework, and decision-making in policing contexts.

• Study Skills in Higher Education (20 credits): This module supports students in developing academic skills essential for success in higher education, including research, critical thinking, and effective communication.
• Understanding the Police Constable Role (20 credits): This module provides an overview of the roles, responsibilities, and challenges faced by police constables in various contexts.
• Police Professionalism (20 credits): Students will explore the importance of professional standards, ethics, and the role of integrity in policing.
• Police Law (20 credits): This module examines key legal frameworks and legislation that underpin policing in England and Wales.
• Criminal Justice (20 credits): Students will study the structure and processes of the criminal justice system, including key agencies and their interactions with the police.
• Decision Making and Leadership (20 credits): This module focuses on leadership and decision-making within policing, highlighting the complexities of making decisions in challenging situations.

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)

In the second year, students will build on the knowledge gained in the first year, delving deeper into specific areas of policing such as information management, digital policing, and the application of police powers.

• Information and Intelligence in Policing (20 credits): This module teaches students how to manage and use intelligence to inform policing strategies and operational decisions.
• Digital Policing (20 credits): Students will learn about the impact of digital technologies on policing, including cybercrime and the use of technology in investigations.
• Roads Policing (20 credits): This module covers the key elements of roads policing, focusing on legislation, enforcement, and the challenges faced by officers in this area.
• Applying Police Powers (20 credits): Students will learn about the legal powers available to police officers and how they are applied in practice, with a focus on lawful, proportionate, and ethical use.
• Response Policing (20 credits): This module examines the challenges associated with first-response policing, including managing public order and dealing with emergencies.
• Police Investigations 1 (20 credits): Students will explore the investigative process, learning how to conduct investigations in a professional and effective manner.

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)

In the third year, students will critically engage with advanced topics in policing, culminating in a dissertation project. This year focuses on the application of knowledge and skills in complex policing contexts, including multi-agency working and addressing contemporary challenges.

• Dissertation (40 credits): Students will conduct independent research on a topic of their choice, culminating in a written dissertation that demonstrates their ability to engage in critical analysis and present research findings.
• Trauma, Vulnerability, and Wellbeing in Policing (20 credits): This module examines the impact of trauma and vulnerability on individuals in the criminal justice system and the role of the police in safeguarding their wellbeing.
• Police Investigations 2 (20 credits): Building on the previous investigations module, students will engage with more complex investigative processes, including managing serious crimes and working with specialist units.
• Multi-Agency Working in the Criminal Justice System (20 credits): This module focuses on the importance of collaboration between different agencies, such as police, social services, and healthcare providers, in managing criminal justice cases.
• Policing Contemporary Communities (20 credits): Students will critically assess the challenges faced by police in modern communities, including issues of diversity, cohesion, and community safety.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Entry requirements & applying

Minimum entry requirements are:

1. 96-112 UCAS points or equivalent e.g. Pass in an Access to Higher Education programme with 15 level 2 credits, 45 level 3 credits to be graded following the rules of a combination as follows: 6 Distinctions, 33 merits, 6 passes

2. The applicant must demonstrate in their UCAS personal statement a readiness to engage in Higher Education and the motivation, in particular, to undertake a BA (Hons) Professional Policing degree.

OR

1. Entry to the degree is also possible where an applicant is able to demonstrate that prior and/or experiential learning will enable them to cope with the academic and professional demands of the programme.

Subject to the availability of places, applicants meeting either of these requirements would receive an offer of an interview. At the interview, applicants’ readiness to engage in higher education and their motivation and presenting eligibility to undertake the Policing degree would be explored further.

Teaching & Assessment

Assignments are set in advance and provided to students in module handbooks and marked and returned by moodle or e-mail with students being given feedback on all assessments within an appropriate timescale determined by University regulations (currently four weeks).

Assessment criteria are published in the student programme handbook issued at the beginning of the academic year. In order to maintain an approach where students can develop their own interests and refer to their own experiences, many assignment questions can be answered from different perspectives.

The programme incorporates a range of assessments including essays, exams, presentations and role-plays.

Teaching and Learning

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our Student Support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion team can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Career prospects

Our Careers and Employability Service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.

The programme is specifically designed to cater for those who wish to become serving police officers. Whilst successful completion of the programme does not guarantee appointments as a Regular Constable, it enables students to make a credible application for such posts as they arise. This is because successful completion of the programme should offer standing against the training requirements set by individual forces/services during probationary periods of employment.

For those who do not want to become a Warranted police officer, but still wish to work within policing, this programme will provide a strong academic qualification to support such a career choice.

The programme will also equip students with a deep understanding of the wider criminal justice sector and open up potential career options in other criminal justice areas.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.

Programme specification

You can see the full programme specification here.

Accommodation

If you’re looking for a place to stay while you study then take a look at our Accommodation section to get more information on your options, including our on-campus halls of residence Wrexham Village.