Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice (DHEP)
Course overview
Few careers can be more rewarding than that of a police officer and since 2020, all new police officers are required to have a degree-level qualification. Our Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice gives graduates of any degree subject area the opportunity to complete this qualification while working as a fully operational student police officer. As a student officer on this programme you'll have the opportunity to develop your knowledge of and interests in a range of operational policing roles, allowing for potential future career advancement and discipline specialisation within the police.
Staffordshire University is partnered with three regional police forces, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Mercia, to provide you with expert teaching and support you throughout your policing career. You will apply directly through the police forces, and during the two years of your course, you will be on probation with your chosen police force. On successful completion of the programme, you will pass the probationary stage of your police constable career and we will issue the following award: Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing and Practice.
Full time split between study and practical police work time.
Key highlights
- Study while working as a fully operational student police officer
- Meets the degree-level requirement for new police officers
- Open to graduates of any degree subject
- Partnered with Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Mercia police forces
- Completion coincides with passing police constable probation
- Time split between academic study and practical police work
Entry requirements
- IELTS: 6 — 6.0 Most courses require IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent approved English language qualification. Some courses have higher entry criteria, so check the course-specific entry requirements.
Scholarships
Alumni Discount
25% on tuition fees compared to other universities, making your postgraduate degree a smart investment.
Care Leavers and Estranged Students
Applicants who have been in local authority or foster care can recevie a one-off higher education bursary of £2,000 from your local authority, which is paid in instalments.
Up to £2,000Disabled Students Allowance
DSA provides extra support for those students who incur extra course costs as a direct result of their disability.
Horizon Fund Bursary
£2,000 1st year undergraduate (Level 4).
Up to £2,000PGCE Bursary
The PGCE Bursary comprises six awards of £500 each.
Up to £500SMART Scholarship
The SMART scholarship represents a £3,000 discount that will be applied to every year of your tuition fees (this excludes placement years).
Up to £3,000
Careers this course leads to
- Police constable
- Detective constable
- Response police officer
- Neighbourhood police officer
- Roads policing officer
Cost of study
UK/Home: Employer funded
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Staffordshire, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to your place.