Policing

Policing as a degree-level discipline examines the theory, practice, and social context of law enforcement, preparing students for careers in the police service while developing critical understanding of how policing works, what it is for, and how it can be done better. Modern police forces require officers and staff with both operational competence and the intellectual resources to navigate complex ethical, legal, and social challenges, from community relations and counter-terrorism to digital crime and institutional reform. A degree in policing provides both.

This three-year full-time degree at the University of Westminster approaches policing through a legal and social science lens, developing your knowledge of criminal law, criminology, evidence, and the regulatory frameworks within which police operate. You will engage with questions about policing in a democratic society, the relationship between police and communities, the management of serious crime, and the role of technology in modern law enforcement. A year abroad is available, broadening your understanding of how policing operates in different national contexts.

The typical entry tariff is 104 points.

Graduates from policing degrees are well placed to enter the police service as constables, with the academic foundation that now supports the professional qualifications framework. Many go on to careers in the police and related services including the National Crime Agency, Border Force, and Her Majesty's Prison Service, as well as in security consultancy, forensic investigation, and public sector management. The degree also prepares graduates for postgraduate study in criminology, law, or criminal justice, and for careers in policy, research, and advocacy connected to the justice system.