PCDA Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship
The PCDA programme is an entry route into policing for those who want to become police officers whilst also earning a degree. The degree is fully integrated into your workplace training. You will receive protected learning time, and there is no expectation that officers will have to use their own time to complete the degree.
This three-year apprenticeship provides you with the opportunity to earn as you learn and achieve a BSc (Hons) degree in Professional Policing Practice on successful completion of the programme.
You can apply for the PCDA Programme even if you currently hold a level 6 degree.
This programme is delivered in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University and all degree costs are covered by the constabulary.
To read more about the PCDA route from Anglia Ruskin University, please click here.
Key Features of PCDA
| Teaching provider | Anglia Ruskin University & Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary Learning and Development Department |
| Award accreditation | BSc (Hons) Professional Policing Practice |
| Minimum qualification requirements | Minimum Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) English and Maths and two A-Levels (or equivalent 64 UCAS points) or evidence of two years’ experience in a comparable role. Applicants will be considered if they can provide evidence of at least one year’s employment in a role that requires comparable skills to policing or academic study. These applicants will be invited to complete an aptitude test, followed by a study skills review, where an assessment will be made on their ability to meet the academic demands of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship. Applicants who pass the study skills review will have met the university entry requirements. |
| Rank on entry | Police Constable |
| Length of study |
The PCDA is a 3 year course with a 3 year probation. The majority of the learning and teaching is loaded within the first 2 years, and the course culminates with officers reflecting on their journey to produce a professional development strategy for future leadership roles. There is no dissertation. |
| Mode of delivery | Year 1: Course at Martlesham Heath Police Headquarters together with online courses and work-based learning thereafter. In Years 2 and 3, Student Officers will spend a total of approximately 8 weeks completing their degree. This time will be split in to smaller segments at various points across the second and third year. The vast majority of years 2 and 3 are spent working as a Police Officer. |
| Hours of working | Full time working (40 hours per week) requirement during initial learning phase with option of applying for flexible working thereafter. |
| Annual leave entitlement | Officers working full-time are entitled to 22 days annual leave per year, excluding bank holidays. Entitlements are pro-rata for officers working less than full-time hours, and increase with length of service. |
| Salary | £31,164, with annual increments rising to £50,256 within 7 years, plus paid overtime/unsociable hours and other benefits. |
| Assessments and exams |
Assessments are designed to make full use of operational experience, enabling Student Police Officers to apply academic learning directly to policing contexts while demonstrating the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the Police Constable (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship Standard and the National Policing Curriculum. Assessment methods include written reflections, Poster Presentations and examples of Police activities (I.e. achieving Independent Patrol Status). |
Eligibility
To be a police officer you must:
- be aged 17 or over (on the day you submit your application). You will need to be 18 years or over by your first day.
- have been a UK resident for the past three years.
- You must be a British citizen, an EU/EEA or Swiss national with settled status (EU Settlement Scheme), a Commonwealth citizen, or a foreign national holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status.
- have a full UK manual driving licence.
- not have six penalty points or more on your driving licence.
- be prepared to work shifts including nights, weekends and bank holidays
- not have tattoos which could cause offence.
- not be registered bankrupt (or have bankruptcy debts that have been discharged within the past three years).
- be able to pass a job-related fitness test
- be able to pass a medical screening and meet the minimum eyesight standards
- not be a current or previous member of a proscribed terrorist organisation or group
Required qualifications
Minimum of a Level 2 qualification in English (Language or Literature) and Maths at a GCSE Grade C and above or level 4 to 9, or equivalent.
In addition to this, you will also need:
- Have achieved or be working towards the equivalent of 64+ UCAS points (two A Levels or two Level 3 qualifications Grade C or above)
Don’t have the Grades or UCAS points? Don’t worry!
Applicants who do not have 64 UCAS points, can still apply with the following experience and will be invited to complete a study skills assessment as part of the eligibility checks.
0-32 Points UCAS Points:
PCSO 2+ years
Special Constable 2+years
Armed forces +4 years (PRE1999 only 3 years is needed)
32-63 UCAS Points (1+ years' experience):
- Nursing / Care Sector
- Social Work
- Youth Work
- Teaching
- Experience in the justice and law enforcement sectors
- Police Staff – particularly Custody, public contact/demand hub/enquiry office roles, investigative roles
- Criminal Justice sector/CPS/Courts
- Border Force
- Prison Service
- Relevant local authority experience which has involved close and sustained working with police.
- Experience of emergency services – ambulance, fire
- Experience of cyber/digital and financial fraud/crimes
- Roles which have focused on promotion of equality of opportunity and inclusion (incl. Charity work)
- MOD as a civilian security officer that works closely with the police
Applicants will be considered if they can provide evidence of at least one year’s employment in a role that requires comparable skills to policing or academic study. These applicants will be invited to complete an aptitude test, followed by a study skills review, where an assessment will be made on their ability to meet the academic demands of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship.
Applicants who pass the study skills review will have met the university entry requirements.
If successful in your application you will receive further information on the structure, learning and assessment requirements of the PCDA programme, upon commencement of your employment.
Our training team are aware your detailed knowledge of policing may be limited, no assumptions are made, and each student officer is offered coaching to achieve the requirements in a very tailored way.
We also have lots of experience if you need any workplace adjustments – everyone will be screened for dyslexia and given personal support as necessary.
The PCDA in delivered entirely within working hours. Training takes place either on Police premises or online, and there is no requirement to travel to university.
Training commences with a 22-week classroom-based initial training. The learning is Monday to Friday during this period and Student Officers are taught the fundamental knowledge, skills and behaviours that are required to be a police officer. This will also include Personal Safety Training, First Aid and there are several ICT systems that need to be understood. Student Officers are also given the opportunity to carry out a ‘practice’ investigation from the moment of arrest through to appearance in court. During this period, there is also a period of annual leave in week 12.
The learning for year one culminates with a 14-week attachment to an operational Professional Development Unit. Student Officers are now able to carry out the role of Police Officer whilst being tutored by an experienced colleague. Over this period, Student Officers are assessed for their readiness to be deemed safe and legal to police independently by being awarded Independent Patrol Status
Year 2 and 3 of the PCDA are predominantly spent working towards full occupational competency in an active Police role. In Years 2 and 3, Student Officers will spend a total of approximately 8 weeks completing their degree. This time will be split in to smaller segments at various points across the second and third year. [
In year 1, Student Officers complete an initial learning phase focused on foundational knowledge, legal frameworks and core policing skills, with assessment incorporating both knowledge checks and applied simulation-based tasks. This is followed by a tutored policing phase, during which operational competence is developed and evidenced through the OCP.
In year 2, assessments increasingly require the application of knowledge in more complex contexts, drawing on operational experience, specialist attachments and problem-solving approaches, with a continued emphasis on evidence-informed practice and reflective learning.
In year 3, assessment is designed to support the transition to autonomous professional policing. Student Officers complete two modules focused on specialist practice, leadership, coaching, prevention and problem solving, alongside a Professional Practice Portfolio. This portfolio requires Student Officers to critically evaluate operational policing, integrate academic and professional learning, and demonstrate professional competence through applied analysis, reflective evaluation and a professional discussion.
Across all 3 years, Student Police Officers are supported through formative assessment opportunities, including draft submissions and feedback sessions. Assessments are designed to be progressive, building in complexity and independence over time, and to align closely with the expectations of policing practice, ensuring that officers are equipped with the skills, knowledge and professional judgement required for effective and sustainable policing.
Student Officers have full access to Anglia Ruskin University’s online support facilities. These include help on a variety of topics, ranging from specific assessment tasks to broader learning disabilities and adjustments.
Assessment methods include:
- Roleplay exercises
- Knowledge checks
- Tutor observations
- Work based portfolio work
- Reflective Written Pieces
- Presentation