Policing BA (Hons) at Coventry University

Policing policies and practices are constantly changing, with modern day crimes such as fraud, cybercrime and historic abuse at the forefront of today’s judicial system. This exciting course teaches you all the precedence, skills and knowledge needed for successful entry into the policing service, whether that be as an officer, community support officer or as a volunteer.

Success in this field demands tact, empathy, strategic thinking and a solid knowledge of policing and legislation. As no two days are the same, this course focuses on developing adaptability, social awareness and victim empathy, as well as addressing modern day issues and crimes. This degree is an employment-related higher qualification targeted at those seeking to establish a career in the police service.

Alongside your learning, you also get the chance to conduct critical research with our experienced staff, learn from highly-regarded guest visitors and take part in invaluable practical modules. 

Why CU Scarborough

We offer a style of education which is flexible and designed to fit around your life, allowing you to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, reinforced by the quality and reputation of Coventry University. We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with placement opportunities to help prepare you for the world of work. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so we keep our fees low and made it a policy to cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.

Course information

With effect from 2020, all new officers will need to be educated to degree level, in order to join the police force. This Policing degree is an employment-related qualification targeted at those seeking to establish a career in the police service.

The degree programme has been purposefully designed to give you both an academic and professional understanding of policing, serving as a comprehensive introduction to the policing industry.

In addition to proven, traditional methods, students also benefit from personal perspectives from people in the industry. Each year, several professional guests visit the students. Previous guests have included members from the Independent Police Complaints Commission, a former Police Sergeant for the West Midlands Police Force and a Mental Health Triage speaker. We also focus on current and future crime trends in addition to historic cases, so that you gain a rounded understanding of the policing industry.

Career prospects

With a Policing BA (Hons) degree behind you, your career options within the police force is significantly increased. There are several career routes to go down, including police officer, investigative work and even the forensics side of policing. Graduates of this course could progress to work for the Police and Crime Commissioner or large policing bodies such as the Independent Police Complaints Commission and Her Majesty Revenue and Customs.

Previous CU graduates of this course have gone to work in nationally respected organisations such as the National Probation Service, West Mercia Police and Sova. Other CU graduates also take the option of going into further study in master’s programmes such as Terrorism, International Crime and Global Security.