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This module will provide students with some of the key concepts of policing. They will learn about the various roles and responsibilities within the UK police service and the importance of other law enforcement organisations that support the police, including the College of Policing. Key concepts such as policing by consent, legitimacy, and public confidence will be explored. You will also explore the overall strategic context of policing and the relevant national policing strategies. The basics in relation to power of arrest and the necessity to arrest will also be covered. Students will begin to learn academic writing skills required for their policing degree.
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Community policing is an important aspect of policing. Understanding the core principles of ethics, equality, diversity and human rights is at the forefront of everything the police do, and this will be of significant importance in this module. Students will explore other key concepts, with particular focus on community engagement, developing community relations and the rationale for this, partnership working, and policing diverse communities. In addition to this, the legislation in relation to anti-social behaviour will be taught and how this affects communities.
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Building on the study being undertaken on the history of policing and policing communities, students will gain an insight into the basic concepts of criminology and explore contemporary methods of crime prevention. They will assess the strengths and weaknesses of varying policing models, reviewing some specific crime prevention initiatives. Students will go on to explore the concept of problem-oriented policing. They will understand specific problem-solving methodology, carry out research to identify and understand an emerging issues ort problem, before applying the model in the form of an intervention into the problem.
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The relationship of the police with victims and witnesses is vital to any successful criminal justice outcomes. Building on the concept of ethical treatment of individuals and the key legislation, policies and guidance that relate to victims and witnesses, students will learn about the complexities of this area of policing and how to apply good practice to individuals through their own behaviours and attitudes. In addition, the requirement to protect vulnerable witnesses and victims will also be studied. Key to this module are communication skills. The fundamental elements of communication will be explored along with a range of associated theories and practices and their application in policing.
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This module looks into the wider functions of the criminal justice system (CJS). It will introduce the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Courts and sentencing. Associated legislation and procedures such as disclosure of relevant material will be taught. Considerations in relation to offenders, victims and witnesses, including the Victim’s Code will partnership collaboration with respect to offender rehabilitation, will be explored.
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Students will examine the fundamental principles and processes for conducting an ethical and non-biased police investigation in relation to varying crime types. They will explore various methods of recovering evidence from different sources. Complex investigations will then be explored, together with the role of specialists such as scenes of crime, digital investigators and Senior Investigating Officer (SIO).
Professional Policing BA (Hons)
Undergraduate, Honours Degree, September 2024
Key Details
- L900 Course Code
- 3 Years
- 112 Typical UCAS Tariff
The BA Professional Policing degree is modular in structure, studied over a three-year period full time. The undergraduate degree offers a stimulating and challenging learning experience that allows you to develop an informed and practical understanding of professional policing. The course has a blend of theory and practice rooted in the principles and core requirements of policing.
The course provides a learning environment that supports you with the independent exploration of ideas, helping you to draw upon your own experience as a learner and, as potential police officers, to develop a passion for policing. You will have opportunities to develop skills in problem-solving, effective communication, negotiation and leadership. The course seeks to equip you for postgraduate study, professional training and graduate employment in the commercial sector as well as the public and third sector.
Successful graduates from this course will be eligible to apply to the Police Service. This course does not however guarantee entry or acceptance into the Police Service. You will still be required to apply to a police service through the normal recruitment process, this degree qualification does NOT give you automatic entry into the role of a police constable. It is also important to note that in respect of using this degree for recruitment into policing, it has a currency of 5 years following graduation. For further information about applying to the police service please visit the College of Policing website.
The course will cover a range of areas across your three years of study and an indicative list is provided below:
- Understanding the Police Constable Role
- Vulnerability and Risk
- Problem Solving
- Decision-making and Discretion
- Maintaining Professional Standards
- Research Methods and Skills
- Evidence-based Policing (including work-related learning)
- Digital Policing
- Criminal Justice Systems
- Criminology and Crime Prevention
- Counter Terrorism
- Policing Communities
- Information and Intelligence
Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline and/or the requirements of the professional body.
Our aim is to provide you with an opportunity to experience authentic approaches to assessment to reflect the kinds of tasks you would undertake within and across the police service. Some of these assessments will be individual tasks and others in group work settings. The different methods of assessment may include:
- essays
- presentations
- portfolios
- case studies
- practical skills such as negotiation
- reflective journals
The assessment tasks are carefully selected to enable you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills across a range of subject and skill areas and to have the best opportunity to demonstrate these effectively to succeed at all stages of your study. Tutors are on hand to provide guidance and support on the assessment process.
Successful graduates from this course will be eligible to apply to the Police Service. This course does not however guarantee entry or acceptance into the Police Service. You will still be required to apply to a police service through the normal recruitment process, this degree qualification does NOT give you automatic entry into the role of a police constable. It is also important to note that in respect of using this degree for recruitment into policing, it has a currency of 5 years following graduation. For further information about applying to the police service please visit the College of Policing website.
Every police service in England and Wales sets its own recruitment process and selection policy and entry requirements vary from service to service. You are advised to check your eligibility against the police service website, as this may assist you in deciding whether to undertake the BA (Hons) Professional Policing course.
Examples of careers that could be available to you upon graduation include but which may require additional training:
- Police Officers – specialist roles, gaining a promotion or joining up
- Police Community Support Officer
- Scenes of Crime Investigators
- Civilian Investigation Officers (CIOs)
- Police Intelligence
- Crime Analysts
- Communications Officers
- Command and Dispatch Roles
- Prosecution File Preparation Officers
- Human Resources
- Police Lawyer
- Control Room Operations Workers
We hope that you will leave having developed transferable skills that are highly valued by employers in a variety of work situations beyond the police service.
For those who wish to pursue a career as a Solicitor upon graduation then this course opens up the option to undertake The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.
Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.
Dining out
Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).
Entertainment
Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!
Location
Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!
Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?
Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.
Entry Requirements
You must achieve at least 96 UCAS points including a minimum of CC at A level or equivalent (e.g.MM at BTEC Diploma; MPP at BTEC Extended Diploma) towards the total tariff.
Access Students can achieve the requirements with the following combination of Distinction, Merit and/ or Pass grades at level 3 achieved from a completed Access course. 96 UCAS Points: D21-M3-P21; D18-M9-P18; D15-M15-P15; D12-M21-P12; D9-M27-P9; D6-M33-P6; D3-M39-P3; D0-M45-P0.
International Students
The University is not licenced by the UK Government to sponsor migrant students under the Student route and is therefore unable to accept applications from international students at present.
Applying Direct Option
You can apply direct to Newman University for the full-time route for this course if you have not previously applied to Newman University through UCAS and you are not applying to any other universities.
September 2024 Direct Application Link
N.B. will need to enter ‘New User’ account details when first accessing this portal.
Course Fees
The full-time course fee for September 2023 is £9,250 per year.
The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).
Additional Costs
Find out more about the other additional costs associated with our undergraduate degrees.
Modules
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As a key component of policing and one that is prevalent in all aspects of policing, students will analyse the concept of evidence-based policing (EBP). They will explore the rationale, successes and constraints of EBP and learn how it is key to apply it in practise.
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This module will focus on the core policing functions and strategies relating to policing the roads. Students will gain an understanding of road traffic legislation and police powers – with a particular focus on the Road Traffic Act 1988. Police procedure will be discussed in relation to a range of road traffic investigations, including drink/drug offences and road traffic collisions. Students will have the opportunity to engage with road traffic officers to consolidate learning and apply to practical situations. Students will also evaluate how the roads can be effectively policed to disrupt criminal activity, reduce road traffic collisions and combat anti-social road use.
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Students will explore the necessity for maintaining professional standards in policing, and relevant governance and their roles and responsibilities. They will compare professional standards within the police service to similar professional organisations. Students will analyse how the police have developed policies and procedures to reduce the possibility of professional malpractice and increase community confidence; then review the progress being made within the police service to improve professional standards. Students will examine the role of discretion in the decision-making process and analyse the effect on bias on the decision-making process. Students will cover and apply the National Decision Model to given professional situations and demonstrate effective judgement and decision making.
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This module will cover some of the key pieces of legislation that police constables will encounter on a regular basis such as theft-related offences, criminal damage, offences against the person, sexual offences, public order, licensing, drugs and psychoactive substances. Students will be given the opportunity to apply their learning and knowledge of the law to policing scenarios.
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This module will cover and review the overall scope of the response policing role and the types of incidents and crimes likely to be encountered in this area of operational policing. Leadership and team working are key to policing and, therefore, will be explored in this module, in particular, the importance of self-evaluation and the nature of effective teamwork. Students will examine the roles and responsibilities of the police and joint interoperability between other attending emergency services at an incident. Various examples of high-profile critical incidents will be reviewed to establish best practise and development areas. Specific challenges faced by response officers will be examined in more complex response situations and contexts. This module will also examine the key social, political and strategic drivers impacting upon contemporary response policing and strategies involved in response policing to ensure they remain effective in an increasingly challenging environment, including the ethical use of stop and search powers and the impact on communities and trust and confidence in the police.
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This module will cover the importance of information and intelligence to key areas of policing, and the relevant legislation and guidance underpinning information and intelligence in policing. Students will understand the practical issues pertaining to the collection, retention and sharing of information and intelligence. Students will gain an understanding how the use of information and intelligence which is held by other agencies can help and assist police operations. Data protection regulations will be covered and will be analysed to what impact they can have on professional policing. Issues will be explored that can arise when data management protocols are not adhered to. The rights of the individual will be reviewed in respect of information held about them.
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This module provides students with the opportunity to explore an area of particular interest through undertaking a small scale research project supported by a member of staff from the subject area (or elsewhere) with appropriate specialist knowledge.
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Students will consider how technology may be used in everyday policing, from community engagement, to data analysis and criminal investigations. They will be introduced to legislation and regulations concerning the use of policing technologies and specific legislation associated with digital-facilitated crimes. Common digital-facilitated crimes, such as: hate crime, sexting, revenge porn, anti-social behaviour, bullying, child grooming and online fraud will be examined, and how some individuals may be particularly vulnerable to them. The impact of digital-facilitated crimes on the individual and family will be considered. This module will cover the essential knowledge required to deal with the ever-growing threat of terrorism. The key counter-terrorism terminology/concepts such as radicalisation, extremism and interventions will be explored. There will be critical discussions regarding the validity of the CONTEST strategy and other forms of interventions used to combat terrorism. The module will cover the different organisational structures and inter-relationships that exist in counter-terrorism policing such as the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Special Branch. The key legislation relevant to counter-terrorism will be covered in detail as well as the role of the police in gathering intelligence that can combat terrorism. The module will also analyse the potential links between terrorism and other forms of criminality.
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Students will study the concept of ‘vulnerability’ as it applies to policing, determining the factors that lead to harm and risk. Students will focus on risk identification and management exploring the effectiveness of risk assessment tools used within policing. Whilst studying various aspects of vulnerability, students will draw upon the national drivers for the police service in providing a professional and ethical service to individuals. There will be a particular focus on child sexual exploitation and the findings from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation 2014. Students will explore how vulnerable people can get drawn into exploitative situations and how they can become a target for perpetrators. The emerging concept of ‘county lines’ will be addressed and how gangs target vulnerable people. The findings from Serious Case Reviews will be incorporated into this module in order to understand how important information sharing and multi-agency work is in protecting vulnerable people.
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This module scans all areas of public protection policing; policy, research, theory and practice. Students will be introduced to the diverse and complex nature of public protection policing. Students will develop an understanding of the powers and legislation relating to contemporary and significant areas of practice including, but not limited to, child sexual exploitation, country lines, child criminal exploitation, modern slavery, domestic abuse, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, sexual offences and hate crime. Students will use this knowledge to critically explore complex situations. Students will understand the impact these offences have on the victim, their families, the wider community and the criminal justice system. The concept of multi-agency working will be a theme throughout this module, with reference to serious case reviews and the management of offenders.
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This module explores some practical challenges of working with families where there are concerns around violence, harm and/or abuse. It seeks to explore different ways of thinking about vulnerability and risk and how this relates to the ways in which families are constructed in policy and practice. It also seeks to look at key practice issues around working with family members and other professionals.
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Given the changing nature of children’s services in line with a neoliberalist agenda, understanding both how organisations and communities function and the roles that individuals play within each of those is important. Therefore students need to understand both the role of values at an institutional level, and how partnership working is developed and sustained across organisations and communities.
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This module will provide the basis for students to critically examine the relationship between crime, the criminal justice system and the increasingly fluid and intersectional social categories of ‘race’, culture, religion, gender, and sexuality. Using national and international contemporary theoretical perspectives, students will examine how these manifest within the context of crime in late modern Britain. Indicative content will include examination of: the pervasiveness of racialised discourses within criminal justice; disproportionality in the prison system sentencing and the use of Police powers; the relationship between the social construction of masculinities and criminal behaviour; developing trends in crime committed by women; experiences of perpetrators and victims of racist and homophobic hate crime; and how Islamophobia is shaping both public perceptions of, and criminal justice policy directed at, the British Muslim community. Through their own reflective writing and the use of a range of visual methods/resources, students will be challenged to critically evaluate how they as potential practitioners are situated within structures of power and privilege and how their own inhabiting of multiple identities will be implicated in their efforts to challenge the inequalities that persist within the criminal justice system
Additional Information
General Academic Regulations: Terms and Conditions for students attending our courses
Please be aware that, as with any course, there may be changes to the modules delivered, for information view our Changes to Programmes of Module Changes page.