How to become a police officer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You could get a degree in any subject and apply to:
- the Degree Holder programme
- the Police Now graduate leadership scheme
Alternatively you could self-fund a Professional Policing Degree before applying to join a force. You are not guaranteed a job at the end of the course. Instead, you have to apply for probationary constable roles within 5 years of completing this degree.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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College
You could gain some of the skills and knowledge you need to apply directly or through the degree apprenticeship route by doing a course like:
- Level 3 National Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services
- Level 3 Certificate in Public Services
- Level 3 Diploma in Policing
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
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Apprenticeship
You could start by doing a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA). It's a 3 year work-based programme that leads to a degree in Professional Policing Practice.
You can apply through your chosen force.
If you want to work in non-emergency response situations you could do a serious and complex crime investigator degree apprenticeship.
In this role, as well as police forces you could also be employed by organisations like:
- The National Crime Agency
- Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
- The Ministry of Defence
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
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Volunteering
You can get a taste of what it's like to work with the police by volunteering as a special constable.
You could also get paid work as a police community support officer (PCSO) before applying for police officer training.
Direct Application
You may see this called the traditional entry route or the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP).
You'll generally need A levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification, or experience in a related area like the military.
You'll usually apply to one police force at a time. If your application is successful, you'll be invited to an assessment centre where you'll:
- have an interview
- take written tests
If you pass the tests at the assessment centre, you'll then:
- complete a physical fitness test
- have a medical, including an eyesight check
- go though security and background checks
You can search for forces that are recruiting for the traditional route at Joining the Police.
This route is gradually being withdrawn and replaced by the degree apprenticeship or degree entry routes.
Other Routes
If you want to go back into police work, you can find out about options for former officers from the College of Policing or Join the Police.
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Career tips
If you're aged 13 to 18 you could become a police cadet.
Further information
You can find out more about routes into policing from Joining the Police.
You'll need to contact your local police force to apply, as each force has its own recruitment rules.
You can find out more about careers in the police from the College of Policing.