Foundation Degree Policing

Study mode:	Full-time
Programme length:	2 years full-time
Programme location:	Oxford & Cherwell Valley College (Oxford campus)
Year of entry:	September 2013
Home/EU fee:	£6,000 per year full-time / £4,000 per year part time
UCAS code:	N225/POL
Institution code:	O66

Why choose this programme

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.

Summary of Programme

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.

Programme Content

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 & Diversity
Intro to response & Investigation
Practice placement 1
Policing in the community

Year 2 (Level 5)

Critical skills
Applied investigations
Applied operational policing
Criminal justice & social context
Work-related learning, personal and professional development
Practice placement 2

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 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.

The focus of this course is the work-based learning element with Thames Valley Police, which gives you the opportunity to work alongside a police officer. The placement element of the course will require you to participate in work-based learning by working as a special constable. In addition, you will be required to volunteer to work a minimum of one shift a week. By the end of the degree you will be able to show, via a range of portfolio evidence, that you have achieved a range of policing competencies with regard to academic and practical knowledge, experience and expertise, with the outcome being that you are ‘Fit for Independent Patrol’.

Entry requirements

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 their 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

Where applicable; 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

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 Requirements

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 Oxford & Cherwell Valley 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.

What you can progress to / Career prospects

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.

How to apply

Firstly, you will need to apply via UCAS for this programme. The UCAS code is N225FdA/POL and the awarding body is Oxford Brookes University/institution code O66.

You then need to complete the Thames Valley Police application, stating that you wish to study at Oxford Brookes.
Visit:www.applyonline.thamesvalley.police.uk

Fees information

Home/EU Fee: £6,000 per year full time / £4,000 per year part time

For further details on fees and financial help please contact one of our friendly customer service advisors on 01865 550550 or email uni@ocvc.ac.uk

Find out more about what it’s like to study the Foundation Degree Policing, including what you will learn on the course and how you’ll be taught, by watching this short ‘news-style’ video. The video was created by Oxford Brookes University students for their TV News Production Module.