Professional Policing with Foundation Year

Whilst studying on our BA (Hons) Professional Policing, you will explore a wide range of theoretical and legislative subjects and gain the knowledge you need for a rewarding career in the police service.

The highlights

• This degree is designed and delivered in close partnership with local constabularies to give you a head start in your career
• We encourage and support you to become a special constable with either Derbyshire Constabulary, Nottinghamshire Police or British Transport Police which enables you to put your studies into practice 
• We equip you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need to become an effective police officer
• Visits to police stations, prisons and victim support centres will give you a close look at how the criminal justice system works
• Our academic staff have wide-ranging experience in policing and are pioneering influential research
• Learn in specialist facilities such as our custody suite and replica crown court

Please note that completion of this degree does not guarantee employment as a police officer or police staff.

Policing - your questions answered

In the below video, Policing Lecturer, Katherine Hewitt, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Policing at the University of Derby. 

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Why this course?

Our BA (Hons) Professional Policing provides the ideal preparation for one of the most challenging professions of all. It equips you with an in-depth understanding of the role of a police officer today, including a thorough grasp of criminal justice systems and the powers and laws used by the police throughout England and Wales. You will graduate with a highly regarded and valuable qualification to stand you in good stead for a policing career.

Volunteering

You will be encouraged to seek work-based opportunities through membership in the Special Constabulary, as well as other volunteer opportunities. In the past, some of our students have been commended for their actions in the role of Special Constable by the forces they represent – including one student who helped to save someone's life. 

Expert teaching

We have a team of academics with years of policing experience at all levels. You can also draw on our excellent network of contacts ranging from chief constables and crime commissioners to representatives of national and international policing organisations.

Our outstanding visiting speaker and events programme captures topical issues and debates. Recent guests have included policing experts from the USA – a retired police Captain, a retired Chief of Police and a current SWAT commander – who provided a unique insight into their policing models. In addition, the former Chief Constable of Derbyshire shared experiences from his career, the changes which have transformed the profession and the challenges for policing in the 21st Century.

Your studies will be underpinned by our leading-edge research into the explanations and motivations for criminal behaviour and how criminal activity can be detected and prevented. This includes a focus on the notion of policing itself, ethical codes, human rights and police governance.

Specialist facilities 

As a BA (Hons) Professional Policing student, you will be based on the Derby Campus at One Friar Gate Square. Offering the perfect environment for innovative and engaging teaching, it includes:

• A replica crown court 
• Custody suite
• Interview rooms
• Well-resourced lecture theatres
• Seminar rooms
• Social learning spaces.
• Students have also been able to make use of other specialist facilities at the University such as our forensic crime scene house

Because you’ll be working alongside students taking courses in subjects such as law, criminology and sociology, there are many opportunities to share knowledge, expertise and experience.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You will learn through a stimulating mix of:

• lectures and tutorials
• seminars and workshops
• role play exercises
• external visits to settings such as police stations, police custody suits, victim support facilities, courts and various voluntary organisations working within the criminal justice sphere
• guest lectures 
• online support through the University's virtual learning environment
• teaching input from policing experts
• peer support
• guided reading
• individual student reflection on learning

How you are assessed

You will be assessed in a range of way including:

• role plays and practical scenarios
• coursework
• exams
• presentations
• case studies

Who you'll meet

You will be taught by a teaching team with over 250 years of combined experience in the criminal justice sector. They include:

• Amy Hale
• Katherine Hewitt
• Jenny Richards
• Dr Phil Jones
• Emily Dakin
• Tracy Bradford

Because it is designed in close partnership with constabularies, this course is aimed mainly at ambitious individuals who want to pursue a career in policing. It paves the way for you to join a hugely rewarding profession which brings new challenges every day, demanding high levels of responsibility, dedication and integrity.

Although the BA (Hons) Professional Policing qualification will not guarantee you a position within the police service, it will set you apart as an attractive candidate to secure a role.

The skills you develop on the course could also prove invaluable for a career within the broader criminal justice system. You could, for instance, consider roles in areas such as civilian investigation, crime reduction partnerships, probation, security and loss prevention.

Throughout your studies, you will also benefit from our Personal Development Planning (PDP) scheme which enables you to reflect on your learning and develop your career ambitions. The support continues once you have completed your course too: you are entitled to further help and guidance from the Careers and Employment Service for up to three years after leaving the University.

Further study

You can go on to postgraduate study at Derby, with MSc qualifications in subjects such as Criminal Investigation and Police Leadership, Strategy and Organisation. These expand your knowledge into specialist areas and accelerate your progression to more senior and leadership roles.

As a graduate of the University of Derby, you may benefit from an alumni discount on your postgraduate course fees if you continue to study with us.

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

2025/26

*This is the fee for the Foundation Year. Subsequent fees are £9,535 per year.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• Policing and Investigations BA (Hons)
• Criminology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
• Criminology BSc (Hons)
• Police Leadership, Strategy and Organisation MSc

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.