Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice (DHEP)

Few careers can be more rewarding than that of a police officer and since 2020, all new police officers are required to have a degree-level qualification. Our Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice gives graduates of any degree subject area the opportunity to complete this qualification while working as a fully operational student police officer. As a student officer on this programme you'll have the opportunity to develop your knowledge of and interests in a range of operational policing roles, allowing for potential future career advancement and discipline specialisation within the police. Staffordshire University is partnered with three regional police forces, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Mercia, to provide you with expert teaching and support you throughout your policing career. You will apply directly through the police forces, and during the two years of your course, you will be on probation with your chosen police force. On successful completion of the programme, you will pass the probationary stage of your police constable career and we will issue the following award: Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing and Practice. Full time split between study and practical police work time.

To complete the Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing, you will need to hold a Bachelor’s degree. Your chosen force will determine your eligibility for this programme and may recommend the PCDA pathway as appropriate. Qualifications listed in your application must be evidenced with a certificate. What if I don't meet the requirements? If you have not yet completed a degree, you can either: Apply for our Professional Policing Practice degree (Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship). Apply for a qualifying degree such as Professional Policing. Apply for any degree, including Policing and Investigation, Criminology and Law, then complete the two-year Graduate Diploma programme (on successful application to the police). To find out more about the police recruitment process, including the assessment centres and interviews, entry requirements or eligibility checks, please visit your chosen force's website.

Most courses require IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent approved English language qualification. Some courses have higher entry criteria, so check the course-specific entry requirements.

UK students: Employer funded

UK/Home: Employer funded

See university application guidance on the course page.

• Off campus, United Kingdom