Policing Foundation Degree

This full-time, two-year course has been developed in conjunction with Thames Valley Police. It provides training to become a special constable alongside the foundation degree award, as well as an introduction to the requirements of becoming a police officer. Particular emphasis is given to community policing, relationship building and crime reduction. The course will be of interest to anyone who is looking to embark on a career in policing, although the content is relevant to working within the wider community.

On successful completion of this Foundation Degree candidates who wish to become a police officer will need to apply to Thames Valley Police to undertake the national policing qualification.

Upon successful completion you will be awarded a Foundation Degree (Arts) in Policing from Oxford Brookes University.

Please note that as programmes are reviewed regularly, the module list may vary from that shown here:

Year 1 (Level 4)
• Developing Skills for Learning
• Introduction to Operational Policing
• Legal Framework
• Equality and Diversity
• Introduction to Response and Investigation
• Practice Placement 1
• Policing In The Community

Year 2 (Level 5)
• Critical Skills
• Applied Investigations
• Applied Operational Policing
• Criminal Justice and Social Context
• Work-related Learning, Personal and Professional Development
• Practice Placement 2

The Special Constabulary is the UK’s part-time police force and is made up of members of the public who volunteer to spend some of their time helping to police their local community. Special constables volunteer to undertake 18 hours per month and carry out ‘mainstream’ policing working alongside regular police officers.

Assessment methods.

The modules are delivered through a variety of techniques to suit all learning styles. The teaching and learning strategies will include: practical sessions, workshop programmes, presentations, student-led seminars and peer criticisms.

The assessment you undergo will be both formative and summative:
Formative - designed to provide you with feedback on your progress and inform you of your ongoing development. Formative assessments, such as in-class discussions, presentations, activities, do not form part of your grade. You will receive verbal and/or written feedback after the formative assessments and it is very important that you reflect on both the feedback and your performance at formative stages.
Summative - designed to provide a measure of your achievement in respect of your performance in relation to the intended learning outcomes of your programme of study. Summative marks help to indicate your performance for the whole module and will determine your progression on the course.

You will be taught by lecturers and police officers, ensuring an integrated approach to theory and practice. You will undertake intensive placements, allowing you to develop your skills with the help of a tutor constable. You will also spend time working as a special constable alongside regular and special colleagues. Teaching will include practical scenarios in a safe learning environment on college sites. You will also experience e-learning, social networking technology and classroom-based training with lectures, seminars and workshops.

Each application will be considered on an individual basis following the University principle of widening access to those who might not have the traditional academic entry criteria to degree level awards.
Normally the requirement would be:
Either:
• a minimum of the equivalent of two years’ full-time relevant work experience and a current role in an appropriate workplace setting
• evidence of ability to study at academic level 4
• evidence of support from your employer and recommendation

Or:
• a minimum of one A-level at grade C plus the equivalent of 5 GCSE passes at C grade or above, normally including Mathematics and English Language, or
• an equivalent vocationally related qualification such as NVQ 3 (to merit grade) in a subject relevant to policing

In addition

Confirmation from the Thames Valley Police (TVP) of your selection as volunteer police officer (special constable) with TVP is a requirement of this course

As such, students must be able to undertake 18 hours per month volunteering as a special constable whilst undertaking the Foundation Degree

English language what do I need?

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable, by achieving a score in a recognised test such as:
• British Council IELTS: normally minimum level 6.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in the reading and writing components;
• TOEFL minimum score of 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based or 80 internet-based.

Selection process

Students will be jointly assessed by Thames Valley Police and the College as part of the recruitment process onto this course. You will be required to undertake and be successful in recruitment to the special constabulary.

Screening

All applicants will be screened for fitness for practice and a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check will be made.

Successful completion of the foundation degree, in addition to the special constable training, will lead you to be considered for employment by Thames Valley Police, subject to the successful completion of the national police selection process. The foundation degree is a nationally recognised qualification and there will be credit for entrants recruited onto the national police officer training, resulting in a shortened programme.

The police, Home Office, the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, the prison and probation service, community partnerships, youth offending teams, and drug action teams are some of the many areas open to you after completion of your studies.