Becoming a Police Officer in the UK: Which Route is Right For You?

Last year, the Home Office showed clear trends in how new police officers are joining forces across England and Wales. Notably, between 2019 and 2023, non-degree entry routes dominated new officer recruitment, with around 66% of recruits joining without a degree-based pathway.
There are multiple non-degree and degree routes for new police recruits, each ranging in popularity. Our latest blog details each option and why they may be attractive to potential applicants.

Police Constable Entry Programme

The new Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) was introduced following the closing of the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) in April 2024. Before closing, the IPLDP was used by around 33% of recruits.
Many forces, including West Mercia and Avon & Somerset, are now promoting PCEP heavily as the primary non-degree route for new candidates.

Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)
According to the Home Office, the PCDA made up roughly 32% of recruits during 2019-2023. A major entry route into policing, it is a three-year paid apprenticeship combining frontline policing with university study, leading to a degree.
From November 2024, the PCDA is being re-modelled to include greater flexibility and more practical, on-the-job learning. Some forces continue to recruit strongly through this pathway, including Devon & Cornwall which reported 85 PCDA recruits between mid-2023 and mid-2024.

Graduate Entry (DHEP)

The Degree-Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) is aimed at applicants who already hold a university degree in any subject. It remains widely used, though less so than non-degree routes.
Across 2019-2023, about 34% of recruits joined through degree-holder pathways. Some forces offer both standard and detective versions of this programme. West Mercia, for instance, planned for around 50 DHEP recruits in 2024/25.

Pre-Join Degree (PPD)

The Pre-Join Degree route is for candidates who have already completed a Professional Policing Degree before applying. It remains rare with only around 1% of recruits using this route during the Uplift Programme. It is best suited to those who have already invested in policing-specific university study.
Which Route Should You Choose?

If you don’t have a degree

PCEP is now the most accessible and widely promoted non-degree pathway. It combines practical training with classroom learning and does not require candidates to fund a degree.

If you want to earn while you study

The PCDA is a strong option. You become a police officer from day one and complete a degree over three years, with the apprenticeship model becoming even more practical from late 2024.

If you already have a degree

The DHEP is ideal. It is shorter than the PCDA and designed specifically for graduates looking to enter policing without undertaking another undergraduate degree.

If you already hold a Professional Policing Degree

The Pre-Join Degree (PPD) route is available, though far less common, and mainly useful for those who have already completed policing-specific study.
Each route has different benefits, but together they offer flexible access to policing careers for candidates with a wide range of backgrounds.

Check out the police forces that are currently advertising for new recruits on All Police Jobs.
https://allpolicejobs.co.uk/constables-(new-recruits)-jobs

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