Start your policing career with Lancashire Constabulary – and earn a degree while you do it.
If you’re passionate about making a difference, supporting your community, and building a meaningful career, the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) could be the perfect opportunity for you.
This entry route allows you to train as a frontline police officer, earn a salary, and gain a fully funded degree-level qualification — all at the same time.
What the Role Involves
As a Student Police Officer, you’ll combine academic study with real-life, operational policing. From your first day, you’ll be learning, developing, and gaining hands-on experience while serving the communities of Lancashire.
Police work is about much more than tackling crime. You’ll play a crucial role in:
- Keeping communities safe and helping people feel safe
- Supporting vulnerable individuals
- Building trust and positive relationships
- Making a genuine difference to people’s lives
Police officers typically work 40 hours per week, with shifts designed to provide a 24/7 service to the public.
Why Choose the PCDA?
- Earn while you learn – receive a salary throughout your training
- Gain a fully funded degree — no student debt
- Develop real-world policing skills from day one
- Build a long-term, rewarding career with Lancashire Constabulary
This apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity to grow professionally while contributing directly to your community.
Entry Requirements
You must hold the following qualifications at the time of application (predicted grades cannot be accepted):
- At least two A‑Levels or an equivalent Level 3 qualification
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English Language and Maths, Grade 4 (C) or above
- A full UK manual driving licence
Candidates will be required to provide copies of certificates during the recruitment process.
Experienced Applicants
If you have over 12 months’ experience working as a:
- Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)
- Special Constable
- Custody Detention Officer (CDO)
- Police Control Room Operator (PCRO)
and do not hold the required qualifications, you are encouraged to apply. Relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis.
Lancashire Constabulary employees must have completed their tenure period in line with their Statement of Particulars.
The Application Process
Applying is straightforward:
- No lengthy application questions
- Just eligibility checks
- Our improved application form takes 10–15 minutes to complete
For full details on the recruitment process, please visit the Lancashire Constabulary Join Us page.
Candidates can only apply for one Police Constable entry route.
If you have failed any part of a PC application process in the last three months, you are not eligible to apply.
Important Dates
Please note that these dates cannot be changed, as resources have already been booked:
- National Sift: 2 – 9 June 2026
- Online Assessment: 25 June - 2 July 2026
- Interviews: 18 – 22 August 2026
- Intake Start Date: 23 November 2026
Closing Date
Applications close at 10:00am on Tuesday 19th May 2026
