The information on these pages relates to September 2020 entry and is for guidance only.
September 2021 entry content will be updated here in due course.
Overview
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 most of our courses cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.
COVID-19
The University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to Covid-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Employability
Dedicated Careers & Employability department who will assist you in finding employmentTop Quality Courses
Taught by industry professionals, awarded by Coventry UniversityNo End of Year Exams
Our modern teaching techniques mean no last-minute cramming and less stressProfessional Recognition
Specific courses contain additional industry recognised qualifications from awarding bodiesWhat our students say...
My course is helping me to understand the role of a police officer in depth. I especially like the practical elements of the course – they’re motivating, realistic and really interesting.
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.
Purposefully designed to give you both an academic and professional understanding of policing, this course serves as a comprehensive introduction to the policing industry.
In addition to proven, traditional methods, you will also benefit from personal perspectives from people in the industry. Each year, several professional guests visit the course. 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.
Course Specification
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Modules
Coventry University is ranked 15th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2020. CU Scarborough is part of the Coventry University Group.
In more detail...
If you are fascinated with crime and punishment and are passionate about upholding the law and being hands on in communities, our degree will enable you to learn about litigation, dangerous offences, ethical procedures, victim handling and how each of these disciplines can be applied to policing.
Facilities
We’ve spent £14 million on a brand new campus building. It’s a purpose-built, state of-the-art development that is one of the most modern facilities in the UK. It includes a library, IT suites, mock law court, engineering and science labs, cafe and lots of individual and group study spaces. Next to us is Scarborough’s new leisure village. The complex includes an Olympic legacy swimming pool, sports hall, fitness suite, all weather pitches and the new Scarborough Athletic football ground.
Staff
This course has been developed and is taught by practising professionals and industry experts. Our academics bring a wealth of expertise to the classroom with many continuing to undertake research and other projects alongside teaching, meaning our students gain a well-rounded and relevant teaching experience.
Practical Experience
Throughout your studies, you will find that the course is underpinned with practical elements. You will have the chance to conduct mock interviews, devise policing reports, take witness statements and more.
Placements
At CU Scarborough, we put a strong focus on getting our graduates ready to enter the job market. This can be done in a variety of ways—one key element is work placements. With this degree, you are given the opportunity to undertake short and long-term placements in between the second and third year.
- Upon completion of this course, you will receive a qualification awarded by Coventry University.
- Small tutorial group sessions ensure that you receive the mentoring help and support you need.
- You will have the opportunity for multi-campus learning in Scarborough, London and Coventry.
- In order to make higher education accessible to as many people as possible, we keep our tuition fees competitively priced.
- We deliver one module at a time during each block. This means you can dedicate your time to specialise in each subject without the distraction of numerous modules and multiple deadlines.
Your main study themes are:
- Restorative Justice: the concepts of restorative justices include consent, provocation, accident, recklessness, self-defence and other possible defences and their appropriate application.
- Development of modern policing: understanding how the police service has been influenced and has evolved through developments within the criminal justice system. This course reviews the history of the major political and legal milestones that affect policing, along with changes caused by national events.
- Crime and society: exploring how society recognises and is affected by crime and social behaviour and the use of crime statistics.
- Social responses to crime: understanding the ways in which members of society react to crime and how multiagency strategies help the police to reduce it.
This course is available as a full-time three year or optional four-year sandwich course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field. Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work.
We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our online learning platform, Moodle.
Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.
Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.
The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.
Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place at the end of each six-week block.
Course Breakdown (approximately):
- 80% Coursework
- 20% Interactive Assessments
On completion, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the theoretical, analytical and practical aspects of policies, strategies and processes.
- Develop appropriate research and analysis techniques, alongside the ability to undertake reliable research activities.
- Operate, lead and collaborate in a team to solve problems of a practical (experimental) nature and to provide appropriate solutions.
- Apply appropriate presentation and evaluation tools to establish the significance of research data produced.
Full-time
If you choose to study full-time you can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.
Class sizes are kept low. This way, students can take advantage of small numbers to increase contact time with lecturers.
What our students say...
My course is helping me to understand the role of a police officer in depth. I especially like the practical elements of the course – they’re motivating, realistic and really interesting.
Entry Requirements
CU Scarborough has assessed that you can achieve the required grades and we have demonstrated this belief by making you an offer. This is our commitment to you so then we ask that you reciprocate this commitment by selecting us as your ‘firm’ choice and activating your offer.
We will consider other qualifications for a pre-result unconditional offer if you have an appropriate proven performance at GCSE (or equivalent) level and predicted grades in line with grades that we expect to see at A-level. Other qualifications that we may consider for a pre-result unconditional offer include: The International Baccalaureate Diploma, BTEC Level 3 qualifications, Cambridge Pre-U and combinations of qualifications (e.g. BTECS plus A-levels).
An unconditional offer is what it says it is. So, if you don’t meet your predictions then your place is still guaranteed. However, we would hope and expect that you continue to work hard to make the most of your potential and be best prepared to study at university level.
No, the unconditional offer is only available to those who will take up their place in the year for which they applied.
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for this course, we have a number of programmes which upon successful completion and meeting any additional entry criteria, qualifies you onto a place on this degree course, such as Foundation Years or Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
What our students say...
My course is helping me to understand the role of a police officer in depth. I especially like the practical elements of the course – they’re motivating, realistic and really interesting.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
Fees & Funding
We price our courses competitively in an attempt to make higher education accessible for a wide range of people. Your tuition fees will cover all of your classes, online tutorials, some of the learning materials and access to our Library & Learning Services.
Each academic year we review our fee structure to ensure we're offering value for money to all our students. The 2020/21 fees are currently under review and will be available in autumn 2019.
Funding
Full-time and part-time students resident in the UK or EU can apply to the Student Loans Company for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees at CU Scarborough.
What our students say...
My course is helping me to understand the role of a police officer in depth. I especially like the practical elements of the course – they’re motivating, realistic and really interesting.
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 graduates have gone to work in nationally respected organisations such as the National Probation Service, West Mercia Police and Sova. Other graduates have gone on to study master’s programmes such as Terrorism, International Crime and Global Security.
What our students say...
My course is helping me to understand the role of a police officer in depth. I especially like the practical elements of the course – they’re motivating, realistic and really interesting.
Disclaimer
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s planned exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance at that time. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.