Join us as a uniformed officer on the degree holder entry programme.

This entry route is open to degree holders of any subject – including those with a Professional Policing Degree – or students within the final year of study for a degree. The two year programme gives you the opportunity to learn as you earn, laying the foundations for an interesting and rewarding career with Team NP.

This vocational programme focuses on practical learning and is specifically tailored for a career in policing. You’ll learn how policing works in theory, so that when you encounter practical situations in real life, you’ll be prepared and know what to do.

Those without a Professional Policing Degree will gain a fully-funded Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice on successful completion of the programme.

Interested to know more about the role and routes of entry? Sign up to an engagement event. You can attend one of these sessions before, during or after your application is submitted.

What’s involved in the Degree Holder Entry Programme?

Your training will start with an initial period of learning at Northumbria University, before undertaking the majority of your training on the frontline alongside your experienced colleagues. You’ll be fully supported in putting your classroom based learning into practice as part of your operational duties.

Your learning will cover a wide range of policing topics including officer safety training, emergency life support, safeguarding, crime investigation and operational policing skills.

To help you navigate the challenges of 21st century policing, you’ll also look at issues like:
• Evidence-based policing
• Decision making and discretion
• Criminology and crime prevention
• Pro-active approaches to vulnerability, risk and public protection; and modern policing trends such as digital policing.

You will be contracted to 40 hours per week.
Once you’ve successfully completed all elements of the programme, including your operational and academic assessments, you’ll be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice and will become a fully-qualified substantive police officer. Those who have already achieved a Professional Policing Degree will not need to complete the diploma element of the programme.

What does the course cost? 

The academic costs of this programme are covered by Northumbria Police.

What will I earn?

Whilst you are training you will also be paid a salary of £26,682.
This will rise each year as you gain the relevant skills and experience, for more information please refer to the pay and benefits page

Do I need a specific qualification to apply?  

Degree holders – or students within the final year of study for a degree – are eligible for our Degree Holder Entry Programme. You can have a degree in any subject area.

We also welcome applications from those who have already gained a Professional Policing Degree. This must be completed with a College of Policing approved provider.

In addition to the general requirements to join as an officer, you must have Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths. For example a GCSE or iGCSE at grade C (level 4) or above, Functional Skills Level 2, Key Skills Level 2 (Communication and / or Literacy) or Adult Numeracy / Literacy Plus.

Your career opportunities after the DHEP

After you have successfully completed your DHEP you have the opportunity to specialise, whether this be in a Neighbourhood Policing Team where a more collaborative community approach is required or as a detective, investigating more complex crime.

The detective role is varied and includes Major Crime Investigation (Homicide, & Cyber Crime), Intelligence (Priority & Organised Crime and Special Branch) and Safeguarding (Child Abuse/Protection of Vulnerable adults, Rape and Multi Agency Risk Assessment roles).

Other specialist roles could include:

Motor Patrols​, Firearms, Mounted, Marine, Airport Policing and Dog Handler.