Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (level 6) at De Montfort University (DMU) is fully accredited by the College of Policing, and Leicestershire Police.

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This accreditation recognises that the course content meets the criteria and standards set out by both of these organisations and is approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).

This approval fully defines the occupation in terms of the responsibilities, the tasks involved, and the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to achieve occupational competence.

This programme is aligned to the Police Constable apprenticeship standard and is allocated a Funding Band of £24,000 by the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA).

Who the apprenticeship is for

This apprenticeship is one of only three entry routes in to policing from 2020, and entrants via this route will be non-degree holders who apply and are recruited by the police as Police Constables prior to commencement of this apprenticeship. 

It is delivered collaboratively by Leicestershire Police and DMU and apprentices will follow a three year degree path alongside their ‘on the job’ duties and ‘off the job’ learning activities.

Apprentices, are in permanent full-time professional employment and will also learn in the workplace in a structured delivery pattern, supported by DMU and Leicestershire Police.

How to apply?

Aspiring apprentices will need to apply directly on the Leicestershire Police website.

Reasons to study this apprenticeship

DMU and Leicestershire Police have collaborated to specifically design this apprenticeship to ensure that it complies with national apprenticeship regulations and requirements of 21st century policing.

This programme been carefully developed to fulfil all policing professional requirements incorporating values-based, ethical and evidence-based approaches to collaborative learning, and will build a foundation for continuous professional development.

Teaching staff are all experienced former or practising police officers and/or academic specialists. They utilise these skills to provide a high standard of contemporary, professional practical, and theoretical learning. The staff are committed to delivering high quality, research-informed teaching and learning to enhance the student experience whilst supporting apprentices in the challenging role of Police Constable.

Delivery model

The apprenticeship programme is integrated with existing Professional Policing Practice programmes at DMU. Apprentices will study alongside existing part-time and full-time students, benefiting from all facilities at the heart of the DMU campus.

This blended work-based programme is integrated with experience, practice and further learning in the workplace. It is taught over three years and has been designed to give periods of teaching and training interspersed with practical application, secondments and assessments.

In addition, apprentices will be expected to critically reflect and develop their own ideas and theories in order to maximise the learning experience and future development. They will be given some protected study time but will be expected to dedicate further self-directed study throughout the programme.

Programme content and structure

Year 1 | FHEQ4

  • Engagement with Evidenced-based Practice
  • Legislation, Policy and Practice
  • Police Professional Practice
  • Professionalising Investigations

Total credits at FHEQ4 - 120

Year 2 | FHEQ5

  • Investigatory Management
  • Multi-Agency Working and Risk
  • Research Skills and Evidence-Based Practice
  • Profession of Policing Contemporary Issues

Total credits at FHEQ5 - 120

Year 3 | FHEQ6

  • Research, Dissertation and Change Management
  • Leadership and Management of Investigations and Community Engagement
  • Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship End Point

Total credits at FHEQ6 - 120

Assessment

This is an integrated apprenticeship which incorporates on-programme academic and workplace learning. The End Point Assessment (EPA) will test the knowledge, understanding, skills and behaviours as detailed in the College Of Policing PEQF PCDA: Guidelines for Assessment of Operational Competence.

All students passing through to the EPA must have obtained a functional skills qualification at Level 2 (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics by this point.

This programme is designed to enable apprentices to apply the academic theory to their role as a police constable. All apprentices are required to create a portfolio which will capture the knowledge, understanding, skills and behaviours developed on the programme and in the workplace. This will contribute to their EPA and enable apprentices to reflect, plan and evaluate their development.

Portfolio software will be used to capture all information and training will be provided to all apprentices on how to use the software.

Final degree award

All successful apprentices will achieve;

  • Degree in Policing Professional Practice BA (Hons) from De Montfort University (DMU)
  • Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

Contact us

For more information, contact us by completing our online enquiry form.