Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship frequently asked questions
Are you considering a career in the police force and thinking that the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) could be the right route for you, but want to know more?
We've put together these FAQs to help you better understand the PCDA programme. These are the questions we often get asked at our school and Open Day events, as well as from applicants.
1. Am I too old at 19 to do the PCDA?
No, you are not. Generally, there is no upper age limit, although it is worth checking at application with the police force you want to join.
You can apply from the age of 17 years, but will need to be at least 18 years old when you start the PCDA programme.
2. What qualifications are needed to join the PCDA? Is there a preferable route to access this?
To join the East of England Forces PCDA programme with ARU, you'll need 2 A Levels or equivalent (32 UCAS points for BCH / 64 UCAS points for NSKE).
For the Metropolitan Police PCDA with ARU, you'll need 64 UCAS points, which is 2 A Levels at grade C or above, or equivalent. You'll also need a Level 2 qualification such as GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above.
3. What are the eligibility criteria?
You must be a UK, EU or EEA citizen and have lived in the UK for the last three years. You'll go through various pre-employment vetting checks, and you may need to hold a driving licence.
You'll need to hold minimum qualification entry requirements as outlined above or have sufficient work experience / training. You must also pass the College of Policing Online Assessment Centre.
Eligibility criteria can differ depending on the Force you want to join – visit their website for more details:
More information is also available from the College of Policing website.
4. Before applying for the PCDA, do you need to have had a job in the past three years?
No, you can apply after your A Levels or equivalent. Applicants from different backgrounds and from different stages of their lives are welcome. However, if you have prior employment history and there are gaps, you'll be asked to explain why.
5. Are there any course fees?
No, the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship is fully funded by the police force you join.
6. Can I become a police officer without British citizenship, or if I am an asylum seeker?
You must have UK, EU or EEA settled citizenship, and have lived in the UK for the last three years. If you are not a national of the UK or a European Economic Area (EEA), you must have leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for an indefinite period. You can find out more on the College of Policing website.
7. How long is the application process?
There is no fixed answer to this. The application process typically takes 6-12 months depending on application and next intake date.
8. I am studying for my A-Levels/Level 3 qualifications, when is it best to start the application process?
You can apply with predicted grades and receive a conditional offer, but an offer will not be guaranteed until qualifications have been verified (in addition to all other criteria being met).
9. How frequent are the start dates?
Start intakes are regular, but demand varies from force to force. You should contact the police force you want to join to get a clearer idea of their current status.
10. When would I hear if my application is successful?
There are various elements to the recruitment process. A final offer will be issued only once all the checks and assessments have taken place.
11. What work experience or volunteering could I do? Does it need to be specifically within policing? And is it necessary?
No, it it’s not necessary.
However, if you are interested, many police forces have volunteer schemes where you can gain valuable work experience and contribute to your community. Which scheme you go for can depend on your age and how much time you can commit. Here are some schemes to consider:
- Special Constables
- Volunteer police staff
- Police Cadets
Some roles that may contribute towards your application are:
- Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)
- Designated Detention Officer
- Armed forces personnel
12. Can I join before receiving my A Level results, and will I get an offer like university?
Your A Level results will need to be verified as part of your application. You'll get a final offer on completion of the various checks and assessments as part of the application process.
13. I haven’t passed my driving test yet but am taking driving lessons, can I still apply?
Some forces require you to hold a full manual UK driving licence, and some will allow you to obtain your driving licence up to a few months after your start date. Check with the force you want to join for specific requirements.
14. Is there any recommended reading and research for applicants?
You should familiarise yourself with the PCDA, what it is and how it is delivered. Individual forces' websites, our website, the College of Policing’s website, and a general open source search can all help you gain an understanding of how the degree is integrated into your police training.
15. What is the work-life balance like?
The first 22 weeks are typically Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, in a classroom setting. Beyond that, you would be required to do shift work which includes evenings, weekends and public holidays, and you need to be flexible as you may not work in your preferred location.
Visit joiningthepolice.co.uk to find out more about whether being a Police Constable is right for you. It includes a quiz, FAQs and video interviews.
We hold regular virtual policing events where you can hear from police apprentices from our partner police forces about their experience. These are advertised on our become a police officer page.
Most importantly, you should be aware that this is not like studying for a traditional degree. Police officers are not expected to study for a degree on top of their job – the PCDA is a fully-integrated apprenticeship in which all study takes place in their working hours. Your days off remain your own private time, just like on any of the other police training routes that are available.
16. What is the work pattern like? Will I be working shifts?
During the training period, PCDA student officers usually work around 40 hours per week, doing shift work, which means some weekend and evening work, including public bank holidays. This remains the case for the majority of emergency response officers, and many specialist units once you're qualified.
However, once you're out of the probationary period, there will be opportunities to pursue areas of work that operate on different shift patterns, including those which are more typically 9-to-5.
17. How do you look after the wellbeing of our students? Are there any support groups?
PCDA student officers have full access to all of ARU’s support processes including access to a designated student support and wellbeing officer.
18. What would I be doing as an apprentice on this course?
Your apprenticeship starts with classroom-based learning. After a period, you'll join an operational policing team with your chosen police force, where you'll gain experience of daily policing activities through work-based training.
Through your studies and on-the-job training, you'll gain both theory-based understanding and real-life application for key policing topics such as safety training, emergency life support, crime investigation, safeguarding and operational policing.
19. What is the working culture of the organisation like?
Visit your chosen force's website to see what they say about working for them.
20. Will this give me future opportunities in my career if I stay in policing?
Yes, there are many different types of progression opportunities within the police. You may choose to specialise, work in different teams, or go into a leadership role. Find out more more about the different types of police roles in the UK.
21. What sort of jobs does a Police Constable do?
The work of a Police Constable is varied, and what they all say is that ‘no two days are the same’. Here are some of the jobs you could do:
- respond to emergency calls
- investigate crime as part of a team
- interview witnesses and suspects
- make arrests
- build relationships with communities
- liaise with partner stakeholders
- traffic control
- crowd control at large gatherings/events
- crime prevention and safety
Read more about life as a Police Constable in Essex and life as a Police Constable in the Met.
22. Can you become a detective straight away after completing the PCDA, or do you have to be an experienced Police Constable for a while to gain experience?
Yes, there are progression opportunities to specialise as a Detective Constable after completing your probation as a Police Constable, but it’s best to check requirements with the police force you want to join.
Some police forces have detective trainee schemes. For example, our partners Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Police run a Detective Degree Holder Entry Programme.
23. What is the hardest part of joining the force?
This is subjective. Police Constables deal with many traumatic experiences, as well as potentially violent and intimidating situations. Therefore, they must be mentally resilient and always remain professional.
There is a thorough vetting and assessment process for all applicants wishing to join the police, and you should be prepared for that. While on the PCDA, you should be prepared to juggle study and training alongside your police job duties.
We hold regular virtual policing events where you can hear from police apprentices from our partner police forces about their experience. These are advertised on our become a police officer page.
24. How do you deal with racism in the workplace?
The College of Policing, along with the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), have put together a Police Race Action Plan to address the issues of racism that have been highlighted in the media and independent enquiries.
You may wish to read your chosen force's inclusivity and diversity statement on their website.
25. What are the experiences of female officers?
Find out more about the experiences of female police officers from their first-hand testimonials:
- PC Stacia Traille – Metropolitan Police
- DC Usha Evans – Metropolitan Police
- Shauna Maloney – Bedfordshire Police
- Student officer Shakira Munday – Cambridgeshire Constabulary
26. Should I disclose any disabilities on my application form, and will there be someone I can speak to about reasonable adjustments?
Yes. Police officers and other policing staff with disabilities are welcome. There may be some disabilities that stop you becoming an operational police officer but there are lots of roles within policing. There is also a Disabled Police Network (DPA) that provides support and advice to potential and acting police officers with disability.
27. I have/I know someone with a criminal record, should I disclose this?
Yes, and this is part of the application/vetting process. The police force in question will assess on an individual basis, taking into factors such as the severity of crime and when it took place.
28. Do I get to choose where I will be deployed?
Police forces will always try to offer a choice and accommodate the preference of each officer, but this cannot be guaranteed. Each police force needs to take into account the operational needs of an area when considering where to deploy their Police Constables.
29. Are there any fitness/physical requirements?
Yes, you'll be required to undertake a fitness test annually. The fitness test is called the bleep test, and involves you walking/running approximately 35 shuttles between two points, before the bleep goes off at each shuttle point. You need to reach level 5.4 to pass.
Find out more about the fitness bleep test.
30. Can you repeat any fitness tests if you fail them?
Yes, this can be facilitated, but each force will have a different view and you should practice the test in advance to prepare yourself to pass.
31. I live in Peterborough. Where will I have to travel for training?
In Cambridgeshire, initial training takes place at Monks Wood on the outskirts of Sawtry and Alconbury.
Outside of the training environment, you'll be posted somewhere within either the north or south of the county. You would be part of the discussion around postings to make sure it suits you as far as is possible.
32. How many students are enrolled on the degree apprenticeship?
There are approximately 1,500 PCDA students as of September 2024.