How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
- a rejoiner scheme
University
You can do a degree in any subject then apply for a place on one of the police entry programmes, such as:
Alternatively, you can complete a 3-year Professional Policing degree at a participating university.
You are not guaranteed a job at the end of the course. Instead, you have to apply for police constable roles within 5 years of completing this degree.
If you want to train to be a detective, you can apply for a place on the 2-year National Detective Programme (NDP).
You will need a degree and at least 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications to apply for the NDP.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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College
You could do a college course to prepare for a direct application for police officer training or a degree apprenticeship, though this is not essential.
Courses include:
- uniformed protective services
- public services
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
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Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Police Constable Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship. It's a 3-year work-based programme that leads to a degree in Professional Policing Practice.
If you want to work in non-emergency response situations you could apply for a place on a Serious and Complex Crime Investigator Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
This can lead to work with police forces and organisations like:
- the National Crime Agency
- HM 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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Work
You could get paid work as a police community support officer (PCSO) before applying for police officer training.
Volunteering
You can get a taste of what it's like to work with the police by volunteering as a special constable.
Direct Application
You can apply directly through the 2-year Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP).
You'll need 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications to apply. Relevant experience can also be taken into account. This might be from:
- the armed forces
- work as a police community support officer (PCSO)
- the emergency services
You can search for forces that are recruiting for the PCEP. If your initial application is successful, you'll be invited to an assessment centre where you'll take written tests and have an interview.
Other Routes
If you're a former police officer, you could return to policing by contacting a participating force for details about their rejoiner scheme.
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Career tips
If you're aged 13 to 18 you could become a police cadet. The skills you learn and experiences you gain will benefit you whatever career path you choose.
Further information
You can find information on 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.