DEGREE HOLDER ENTRY PROGRAMME (DHEP)

Why choose the Degree Holder Entry Programme?

Our degree holder entry programme gives you the opportunity to learn as you earn, laying the foundations for a rewarding career with teamNP.
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.
Our two-year 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.
You will gain a fully-funded Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice on successful completion.

Why choose the Degree Holder Entry Programme?

Our degree holder entry programme gives you the opportunity to learn as you earn, laying the foundations for a rewarding career with teamNP.
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.
Our two-year 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.
You will gain a fully-funded Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice on successful completion.

What’s involved in the DHEP?

Are you ready for a career where you can play to your strengths and make a difference to the place you call home? With DHEP, you’ll undertake a two-year training programme, emphasising your readiness to deal with the policing challenges we face today.

The training programme will begin with an initial 18-week period of class-room based learning at our Coach Lane campus focusing on areas including law & legislation, understanding police powers, and safeguarding. Whilst undertaking classroom-based learning you will work Monday-Friday 9-5pm. Following this, you’ll work alongside experienced officers as part of a shift in a response team. You’ll have a dedicated tutor to guide you through your first 12-15 weeks, who will help you build your skills and offer practical and pastoral support.

You’ll be supported and given everything you need to reach your full potential and succeed in the DHEP programme. 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 about my wellbeing?

The role of a police officer is a challenging one, and you could be dealing with many different scenarios and face many challenges on your journey with us. You will of course be given the support you need and there is always someone to seek advice from and to collaborate with. We continue to invest in trained mental health first aiders onsite and other valuable support mechanisms, an employee advice service offering 24/7 access to trained counsellors and a peer-led support programme as well as other holistic approaches to caring for your wellbeing.

What happens when I complete DHEP?

Policing is an expansive and diverse career, offering over 50+ specialist officer roles and opportunities for growth and advancement through the ranks.

Once you have successfully completed your probationary period, a wealth of possibilities opens up to you. You can choose to specialise in areas including motor patrols to marine unit, and neighbourhood policing or becoming a detective and investigating more complex crime. Alternatively, you might decide to pursue a leadership trajectory, working your way up through the ranks to attain senior positions within the force.

The dynamic and unpredictable nature of policing ensures that no two days are the same, and the continuous professional development opportunities make it an exciting and rewarding career choice.

Explore roles and ranks

Do I need specific qualifications to apply?

To apply for the DHEP programme, you’ll need to be a level 6 or higher (i.e. master’s degree) qualification holder in any subject area, or be a student within the final year (semester/term) of your degree.

In addition, all candidates regardless of your desired entry route must hold 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

If you don’t meet the above entry requirements for this entry route, you may still be eligible to become a Police Constable. Explore alternative entry routes.

Frequently asked questions

What hours will I be working?

When you are deployed in one of our area commands you will work a variety of shift patterns, day and night, in line with our 40 hours a week requirement.

Do I need to pay for this programme?

No, the academic costs of this degree are covered by Northumbria Police.

What will I earn?

From day one, the starting salary for new officer is £28,551. Within 7 years you can earn £46,044. To find out more about the pay scales for police officers, visit the pay and benefits page.

About the Degree Holder Entry Programme

What's involved in the DHEP?

The training programme will begin with an initial 18-week period of class-room based learning at our Coach Lane campus focusing on areas including law & legislation, understanding police powers, and safeguarding. Following this, you’ll work alongside experienced officers as part of a shift in a response team. You’ll have a dedicated tutor to guide you through your first 12-15 weeks, who will help you build your skills and offer practical and pastoral support.

Do I need a specific qualification to apply?

If you don’t meet the above entry requirements for this entry route, you may still be eligible to become a Police Constable. Explore alternative entry routes.

What happens when I complete the DHEP?

There are many opportunities to progress through the ranks and/or specialise in an area of policing that interests you after your probation. Whichever direction you decide to take your policing career, we will support you and help you to develop into the best officer you can be.

Upon successful completion of your probation period, you will 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.

Do I need to pay for this programme?

No, the academic costs of this degree are covered by Northumbria Police.

What will I earn?

From day one, the starting salary for new officer is £28,551. Within 7 years you can earn £46,044. To find out more about the pay scales for police officers, visit the pay and benefits page.

What about my wellbeing?

The role of a police officer is a challenging one, and you can be dealing with many different scenarios and face many challenges on your journey with us. You will of course be given the support you need and there is always someone to seek advice from and to collaborate with.

We continue to invest in trained mental health first aiders onsite, an employee advice service offering 24/7 access to trained counsellors and a peer-led support programme as well as other holistic approaches to caring for your wellbeing.

What you need to know before you apply

Pay & Benefits

Explore starting salary, earning potential and a whole host of benefits at TeamNP.

Eligibility Requirements

Review your eligibility against the conditions to become a police officer.

Application Process

Understand the application process and preparation required before you behind your TeamNP journey.

Why choose TeamNP?

Thriving support networks, our investment in your wellbeing, development and more.

Pay & Benefits

Explore starting salary, earning potential and a whole host of benefits at TeamNP.

Eligibility Requirements

Review your eligibility against the conditions to become a police officer.

Application Process

Understand the application process and preparation required.

Why choose TeamNP?

Thriving support networks, our investment in your wellbeing and development and more.

Pay & Benefits

Explore starting salary, earning potential and a whole host of benefits at TeamNP.

Eligibility Requirements

Review your eligibility against the conditions to become a police officer.

Application Process

Understand the application process and preparation required.

Why choose TeamNP?

Thriving support networks, our investment in your wellbeing and development and more.

READY TO GET STARTED?

Applications are currently closed, but we invite you to express your interest and be the first to know when we re-open in early 2025.

By registering your interest, you’ll receive updates on recruitment timelines, be informed about upcoming events and information sessions and get notified when our recruitment re-opens.

In the meantime, find out more about the application process and how to prepare for the role, eligibility requirements, police officer pay & benefits, and life at #TeamNP. If you have any questions about becoming a uniformed police officer, or a detective, you can contact our Talent Acquisition team.