BSc (Hons) Professional Policing with Foundation Year

ULaw offers access to the BSc Professional Policing through a four-year course including a foundation year, which is aimed at developing the skills required to enable students to study in any of our Undergraduate programs with confidence. The foundation year is therefore not specific to the policing degree but provides an alternative entry route onto the Policing degree and serves as an underpinning year, incorporating both academic and legal/professional related learning as well as skills needed to participate in levels 4, 5, and 6.

The degree in Professional Policing will provide students with a professional knowledge of the ethics, skills, and attitudes that are critical to 21st-century policing. There is a high level of face-to-face tuition and student will be taught by a team of experts from a variety of backgrounds to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the domestic legal system, and provide the foundations of legal, psycho-social and criminological knowledge with regard to areas encountered in policing and investigative practice. The course is delivered over two semesters per academic year. The students study six modules per year. In the second year, there is a choice of optional modules. Students will be provided with key transferable skills relating to analysis, communication, decision-making, autonomy, and teamwork.

The University of Law is licensed by the College of Policing to offer the Pre-join Degree in Professional Policing; a qualification recognised by police services that is achieved prior to recruitment. The Degree in Professional Policing has been designed to meet the requirements of the College of Policing National Curriculum for the role of a Police Constable under the National Policing Education Qualifications Framework.

Course Requirements

Foundation Year Entry

Applicants are required to possess 48 UCAS Points from a maximum of 3 A Levels or equivalent qualifications, plus GCSE English Language at Grade C/4.

Internation students Foundation Year Entry

• An English language level equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or above with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
• A non-standard application route is also available.

Route A (Sep 22 entry)

Applicants should demonstrate a minimum of 2 years of professional work experience evidencing management of people and/or processes and provide a professional reference. All applicants must successfully pass a formal interview. Any applicant without GCSE English language at grade C/4 will be invited to complete The University of Law English Test (ULET).

Route A (January 2023 and beyond)

• Please note this route is only available for applicants who do not require a Student Route Visa to study with the University:
• Applicants who do not possess 48 UCAS points from a maximum of 3 A Levels or equivalent but can demonstrate a minimum of 2 years of professional work experience evidencing management of people and/or processes and provide a professional reference will be considered. All applicants must successfully pass a formal interview. Any applicant without GCSE English language at grade C/4 will be invited to complete The University of Law English Test (ULET).

Career Path

Policing or wider security and criminal justice sector.

Fees

Sep 2024

• UK - £9,250 per annum / International - £17.550 per annum (London), £16,700 (non-London)
• Fees are locked for future study years i.e. the student will pay the same price each year.

Course Structure

Foundation Year

Semester 1

• Citizenship
• Academic and Report Writing
• Numeracy Skills in Context

Semester 2

• Foundations of Business Management
• Foundations of Law
• Foundations of Social Science

Year 1: 31 study weeks

Semester 1

• Understanding the Police Constable Role and Professional Standards
• The Criminal Justice System, Key Legislation, Offences and Civil Matters
• Foundation for Operational Policing Skills: Decision Making, Discretion, and Problem Solving

Semester 2

• Core Principles of Evidence-Based Policing, Information and Intelligence
• Introduction to Vulnerability and Risk
• Introduction to Criminology, Crime Prevention and Key Psychological Concepts

Year 2: 30 study weeks

Semester 1

• Public Protection: Understanding Abuse and Impact
• Community Policing, Antisocial Behaviour and Introduction to Road Policing
• Information, Intelligence and Digital Policing

Semester 2

• Response Policing and Police Investigations
• Custody, Interview and Criminal Justice

Choose one*:

• Cybercrime
• Forensic and Criminal Psychology
• Youth and Crime
• Zemiology (Social Harms)

*All options are indicative and subject to availability.

Year 3: 30 study weeks

Semester 1

• Research Methods/Dissertation (double module)
• Responding to Major and Critical Incidents
• Supporting those at Risk of Harm & Victims of Internet-facilitated crimes

Semester 2

• Research Methods/Dissertation (double module)
• Investigating Serious Crime, Understanding Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime
• Counter-Terrorism and Advanced Road Policing

Assessment

Assessments are spread out throughout the duration of the BSc (Hons) Professional Policing course, rather than having lots of exams at the end of the year. This means at the end of each semester, you have a revision/consolidation week followed by two weeks for assessment in each module.

A wide range of assessment methods will be used across all modules to ensure that all programme outcomes can be demonstrated by students. These include unseen essay-type exams, Knowledge and Reasoning Exams, Mock Scenarios, Reflective & Critical Essays, Posters, and Case Studies.

This variety of approaches reflects more closely the practical focus of the programme, and the assessment instruments test more accurately and with greater realism the knowledge, skills and attributes required of students. It also helps to remove barriers to some students who might perform better in different types of assessments.

In each module, students will have the benefit of a formative assessment aligned with the methodology of the particular summative assessment. Additional formative assessment of knowledge and understanding will take place through regular activities within workshops.

How to Apply

Applications for all our undergraduate courses are open.

The University of Law has campuses in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Guildford, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham, as well as our GDL and LPC courses being taught in the University of Exeter, the University of Reading and the University of Liverpool, and our LPC course also being taught at the University of East Anglia from September 2019. Previously The College of Law, we were granted university status in November 2012. Our Business School operates out of The University of Law campuses in London Bloomsbury, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.

What really sets us apart from other universities is our belief that our students should learn in a realistic, professional and contemporary context. We focus on practice-based training and give students access to our extensive careers service and jobs vacancy database as soon as they accept a place with us. Through our pro bono programme, law students can hone their skills by working on real cases before they graduate.

Multiple campuses across the UK:

With campuses based in eight of the UK’s most vibrant and interesting cities, The University of Law offers a diverse choice of locations to study in. All are close to thriving commercial centres, law firms and transport links. We also offer various courses online.

For undergraduate Law, Policing and Criminology courses: you can choose from up to eight campuses in eight cities across the UK. We also have our unique switching facility* which allows undergraduate LLB students to choose to study at one, two or more campuses to sample life in different cities during their studies (*T&Cs apply). Courses available vary by campus location.

Innovative Teaching:

We specialise in teaching and focus our energy on developing innovative, highly effective teaching and learning methods that equip students for their professional careers. We have more than 250 qualified and experienced solicitors, barristers and judges as our tutors, enabling us to help you develop the practical skills that can make all the difference when starting your career in law.

Careers and Employability:

We have one of the largest legal careers and employability services in the UK, with a team of over 30 experts.

The University of Law’s dedicated Employability Service gives students access to work experience and pro bono opportunities and legal vacancies as soon as they accept their place. The result is excellent employability statistics:

• 92% of our full-time UK LLB students graduating in 2017 secured employment or further study within six months of successfully completing their course.

Supportive Environment:

We aim to support more students from across a variety of backgrounds than ever before to achieve their career ambitions, which is why we offer a comprehensive range of scholarships and law bursary schemes, including law work experience opportunities, with a substantial fund available across our courses.

All students are given the opportunity to take full advantage of our facilities and services.

The Disability Support Service is dedicated to managing any requirements you may have during your studies, including temporary assistance due to injury or illness.

Our comprehensive and experienced Employability Service gives in-depth help with CV writing, interview techniques and general career guidance, as well as offering a wealth of opportunities to boost your experience and skills. Meanwhile, our pro bono clinics give you the chance to work with practising lawyers on real legal cases while you’re studying.

Library and Study Facilities:

Our well-equipped IT suites, comprehensive law libraries, quiet study areas and vibrant social spots cater to all your study needs. Our library service provides access to over 20,000 eBooks on and off-campus to find what you need when you need it.

Student Life:

You’ll enjoy a range of interactive and lively activities both inside and outside of the classroom. Business games, mock trials and negotiation competitions are just some of the practical exercises you’ll take part in to develop your legal skills. In your spare time, you can join a range of clubs and societies, sports teams and fundraising committees, or even start your own, as well as enjoying the more relaxed side of student social life.

Student Association:

All students are automatically members of the University’s Student Association (SA). The SA is tasked with enhancing your student and academic experience by having a strong representation of the student cohort.

There is a broad range of clubs and societies across each of our campuses managed by the SA. Here are just some examples of the clubs that we’ve run recently:

• Adventure Sports Club
• Cake Club
• Charities Society
• Football
• Women’s Network
• Yoga

Courses:

Undergraduate Law, Policing and Criminology:

Our undergraduate LLB courses combine academic rigour with practical legal skills to provide you with the essential groundwork needed to begin your journey into a variety of careers.

Over 90% of our LLB tutors are qualified lawyers, bringing extensive practical experience to your studies. Our courses are available as full-time, accelerated, or online courses, so you can choose the study method that best suits your needs. Many of our courses also come with a Foundation Year option. In addition, we now offer undergraduate degrees in Policing and Criminology.

International Leadership Summer School, Berlin:

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting your ambitions, we are offering our 2019 undergraduate students the opportunity to attend our International Leadership Summer School in Berlin, where you can develop key employment skills and explore this exciting city with your fellow ULaw students.

This is open to all University of Law and ULaw Business School undergraduate students. If you apply to start your studies with us in September 2019, on a three-year degree course, you will be able to apply for our Leadership Summer School at the end of your second year of studies.

Entry Requirements and Fees:

Entry requirements and Fees vary by course - for more information on entry requirements, fees, funding options and, Scholarships and Bursaries, visit The University of Law website.

International Students:

If you study at The University of Law, you will be joining students from over 120 different nationalities, who contribute to a thriving international community throughout our campuses.

We have a Student Support Services team that is here to provide welfare related advice and guidance, and information about Visa requirements can be found on The University of Law website.

Accommodation - Undergraduate:

For our undergraduate students, we’ve arranged accommodation with specialist UK student accommodation providers, to ensure you have a comfortable place to live whilst you’re studying with us. Accommodation is usually in shared flats, or in some cases self-contained studios.

For undergraduate students, we guarantee you an offer of accommodation in the first year of your degree, if you’ve accepted us as your firm choice and applied for accommodation by 30 March in the year of entry*. (*T&Cs apply, details on The University of Law website, Undergraduate Accommodation page.)

Open Days and Events:

Our Open Days are a great way to find out about our courses, check out our facilities, and meet our tutors and current students. There’ll be talks, taster sessions and tours, and you will have the chance to ask your questions. We’ll make your day as interesting and interactive as possible.

From time to time, we’re also offering Online Open Days for our courses. So if you can’t make it to one of our on-campus Open Days, you still have the opportunity to find out what it’s like to study at The University of Law and ask your questions online.

For International Students, you may wish to find out more about studying with us, by visiting us at an overseas event.

UK locations:

Undergraduate Law courses are available at up to eight campuses: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Guildford, Leeds, London Bloomsbury, Manchester and Nottingham. Courses available vary by location.

Further details about all our locations are on The University of Law website, Locations page.