Every police officer remembers the moment they chose to step forward. For some, it was wanting to protect the vulnerable. For others, it was a desire to serve their community with pride. For you, that moment might be now.
The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) is a three‑year, fully funded route that lets you earn, learn and serve from day one. You’ll become a warranted officer immediately, gaining real operational experience while working towards a BSc (Hons) in Professional Policing Practice.
Frontline policing, academic learning and personal development in one powerful journey. You’ll be supported, challenged and trusted and you’ll grow faster than you ever expected.
What your path will look like:
Year One — Learning the Foundations
Your story begins with a blended programme delivered by Thames Valley Police and our Higher Education Institute. You'll spend time at one of our training centres in Sulhamstead (near Reading) or Kidlington (near Oxford), learning the essentials of policing including Officer Safety, Arrest procedures, Stop and Search and Community engagement.
Then you’ll join your Local Command Unit, supported by experienced officers as you gain Independent Patrol Status.
Year Two — Growing Your Operational Confidence
You’ll gain deeper operational exposure, including Response Policing, Investigations, Community Policing and Intelligence.
You may be selected to join a specialist attachment in the Assessment & Investigation Unit or Neighbourhood Policing.
Year Three — Becoming a Fully Competent Officer
You will further develop your operational and professional practice while completing an evidence-based research project focused on a policing issue relevant to operational policing.
By the end of the programme, you’ll graduate with a degree and complete your probation as a fully qualified Police Constable.
Learning During your Programme
Throughout the programme, you will undertake a variety of operational and academic assessments, including knowledge tests, written assignments, presentations and workplace assessments, supported by dedicated protected learning time.
Where You’ll Serve
This recruitment window is for Oxfordshire, covering Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, Cowley, Didcot and Witney. If you can commute to stations in Buckinghamshire or Berkshire, we’ll consider this when allocating postings. Please apply for one county only.
What You’ll Earn
- Starting salary: £35,361 (including £3,105 South East allowance)
- Based on current pay scales, officers typically earn £55,000+ by year seven
- As your career grows, so does your earning potential
Who You Are
- You don’t need a degree
- You don’t need to have worked in policing before
- You just need the drive to serve the community.
- You need the resilience to learn, and the motivation to undertake and successfully complete a degree-level qualification
Eligibility to Apply
- Aged 17+ on application (18 on first day)
- British citizen, EEA national with Settled status, or ILR holder
- UK resident for the last 3 years (some exceptions considered)
- GCSE English and Maths (A*–C / 9–4)
- Two A‑levels (A–E) or equivalent Level 3 qualifications
- or one A‑level plus relevant professional experience
- or relevant professional experience only (assessed by TVP)
- Full UK driving licence before formal offer (manual or automatic)
- Good physical and mental health
- Tattoos/piercings appropriate for a public‑facing role
- Live within 40 miles / 1 hour of two main stations before offer
- All roles require police vetting in line with the National Vetting Code of Practice
Application Process
The full process typically takes around 9 months:
- Self‑assessment
- Application and eligibility checks
- National Sift
- Online Assessment Centre
- Interview
- Provisional offer
- Pre‑employment checks (fitness, medical, references, vetting)
- Formal offer and posting confirmation
A Force That Welcomes You
We want our officers to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures and identities especially those currently under‑represented in policing, including people from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ people, disabled applicants and people of faith.
We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application, assessment or interview process, we will work with you to ensure you have the support you need to perform at your best. Our Positive Action and Engagement Team is here to help with adjustments: positiveactionteam@thamesvalley.police.uk
What We Give You in Return
- Annual Holiday Entitlement
- Police Pension scheme and Group Insurance schemes
- Wellbeing services
- Staff support networks
- Buddy schemes
- Discount schemes including Blue Light Card
- Access to regular training courses including leadership development
- Continuous professional development with opportunity for career progression
