BSc (Hons) Professional Policing Bachelor's degree at the University of Salford
BSc (Hons) Professional Policing at University of Salford is nationally recognised and the university holds Silver status for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
About this course
This course provides you with comprehensive knowledge and preparation for a career in policing. The programme focuses on developing a deep understanding of the role of a police officer. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Professional Policing is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Salford. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for General Studies, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 6 modules
- Understanding Vulnerability and Risk
Module details
In this module you will explore the factors that place individuals, groups and communities at increased risk or make them potentially more vulnerable.
- The Practice of Policing
Module details
In this module you will explore the role of the police constable in key areas including response policing, counter-terrorism, roads policing and cyber crime.
- Policing and Society
Module details
In this module you will explore the role of the police constable in modern society and the challenges of policing different crime types in a variety of settings.
- Criminal Justice and Human Rights
Module details
You will be introduced to the form, key features and purpose of the institutions of the contemporary criminal justice system in England and Wales and begin an exploration of the issues relating to justice and civil liberties.
- Contemporary Issues in Policing
Module details
This module introduces you to key issues in contemporary policing and explores the diverse nature of the communities across the City region.
- Skills for justice
Module details
This module is designed to help students develop and refine a range of essential study and professional skills, including essay writing, time management, presentations, and critical thinking, with a particular focus on policing-related topics. The module explores and discusses key issues and initiatives within modern policing, encouraging students to engage with and evaluate evidence-based policing practices in order to understand how research, policy, and practices combine to inform approaches
Year two 5 modules
- Safeguarding and Policing
Module details
The focus of this module is developing skills in the gathering and evaluation of information so that students can identify and assess vulnerability and risk and enhance public protection.
- Complexity and Challenges of Operational Policing
Module details
In this module, you will follow an investigation from the first report to the police. Students will develop practical skills that are critical to an investigation, including interviewing witnesses, briefing senior officers, and preparing files.
- Internet Risk and Security
Module details
This module explores a range of issues relevant to our digital age including hacking, online victimisation, darknet drug markets and tackling online child sexual exploitation.
- Communities, Policing and Public Protection
Module details
This module focuses on developing a critical understanding of strategies of crime prevention and public protection and the importance of working alongside communities across the City region.
- Applied Policing Research Methods
Module details
This module introduces you to applied research methods in policing, equipping you with the knowledge and skills required to engage with, evaluate and apply research evidence to contemporary policing challenges. Central to the module is the concept of evidence-based policing, exploring how research and data inform policy development, decision-making and professional practice. You will develop an understanding of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including research design, data c
Year three 5 modules
- Dissertation - Policing
Module details
You will examine a policing related topic of your choice in an independent piece of research, exploring an area of your own academic, professional or personal interest.
- Dealing with a Complex Investigation
Module details
In this module, you will follow an investigation into a serious incident from the first report to the police to a court hearing. Students will develop practical skills that are critical to an investigation including interviewing witnesses and preparing a court file.
- The Politics of Policing
Module details
The aim of this module is to offer students a comprehensive understanding of present day challenges in policing in England and Wales. This includes a historical context, exploration of key roles, institutions and organisations involved in the governance and oversight of policing, an examination of diverse policing styles, and an analysis of how societal, cultural and political aspects shape and impact contemporary policing practices and processes.
- Community Placement
Module details
The placement will offer you an opportunity to gain first-hand experience working in a community setting, and to develop key work-based skills such as teamwork, time management and communication skills.
- The Criminal Justice Process
Module details
You will gain an overview of the philosophy, nature, significance, outcomes and consequences of the criminal justice process and explore how it functions. You will think critically about key aspects of the criminal justice process and examine the interaction between different actors and agencies involved, and between the criminal justice process and politics, the community and the media. You will also have the opportunity to engage with professionals from each stage of the criminal justice proce
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course provides comprehensive knowledge and preparation for a career in policing, with a focus on developing a deep understanding of the police officer's role. A course like this typically begins with foundational concepts and academic skills, moving into interdisciplinary core study of policing themes alongside data and digital literacy. In year two, you'll usually engage with intermediate study connecting key programme themes, undertake applied projects based on real policing briefs, and choose optional modules to broaden your knowledge. Year three typically offers specialist options in areas you wish to pursue in greater depth, professional skills development with placement opportunities, and an independent research project or capstone that draws together your degree.
Who it's for
This part-time course suits those pursuing a career in policing or related fields who need flexible study around work or other commitments. It combines theoretical knowledge with applied professional practice, preparing you for roles within law enforcement and related sectors.
University & format
The University of Salford is a public university founded in 1896, located in Salford. This BSc (Hons) Professional Policing degree is studied part-time and taught in English. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body whose degrees are nationally recognised. It holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. The course leads to a Bachelor's degree qualification recognised across the UK.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of Salford →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What General Studies graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in general studies · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs General Studies nationally
National figures for General Studies graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How General Studies graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where General Studies graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Employers across sectors
- Public sector
- Corporates & charities
- Startups
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit General Studies graduates.
General PractitionerMatchMedicsGeneral ManagerParkside RecruitmentGeneral ManagerThe Management Recruitment Group (MRG)General ManagerBite TalentGeneral ForemanCONTRACT SCOTLAND LIMITEDGeneral PractitionerFlexzo AiWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Salford
Combined and general studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Salford University
10 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is General Studies right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Salford from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £17,640 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Salford’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Salford and gov.uk before you apply.
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Common questions
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