Course overview

All applicants should apply as soon as possible to reserve a place and ensure adequate preparations are made for the start of your studies. The above date and time is the latest we can receive an 'on time' application (with all associated documentation). Applications received after this date may be processed, but your course induction and start to studies may well be disrupted.

The Foundation degree in Police Studies is an employment-related higher qualification for serving police officers, Police Community Support Officers and special constables. The degree has been developed in consultation with the key stakeholders in the police sector, including police forces, ACPO, Skills for Justice and the Police Federation to ensure that it meets the needs of police practitioners and their employers. The overall purpose of the degree is to provide a qualification which complements and develops the knowledge and skills that have already been acquired through police training. Watch our course video here.

As our course materials are delivered online, being able to access the internet (either at home, work or through public facilities) is essential for the successful completion of this degree. An online learning environment provides access to course materials, communication with tutors, other students and supports discussion and presentation of student work. Tutor support is provided through telephone, email and optional student conferences held in Portsmouth once a year.

If, after successfully completing the degree, you wish to take your studies further you are guaranteed progression onto an appropriate honours degree BSc (Hons) Crime and Criminology, BSc (Hons) Risk and Security Management and BSc (Hons) Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies.

How do I apply?

Complete a University application form – not a UCAS form – by going to our How to apply page.

All applicants should apply as soon as possible to reserve a place and ensure adequate preparations are made for the start of your studies. The latest we can receive an 'on time' application (with all associated documentation)is: 6 September 2013 (16 August 2013 for non-EU students). Applications received after this date may be processed, but your course induction and start to studies may well be disrupted.

Course content

The Foundation degree in Police Studies is an interdisciplinary degree with primary emphasis on work-based learning and application. It is geared towards providing opportunities for the development of generic and transferable knowledge and skills associated with studying, learning, personal development planning and research. The overall structure of the degree programme is as follows:

Year one

• Studying Criminology
• Social Context of Policing
• Introduction to Research Skills

Year two

• Police Operations and Policing Processes
• Crime, Disorder and Justice
• Professional Practice Project

On successful completion of the course you will be able to:

• Discuss key concepts and issues in policing, crime and criminal justice.
• Collect and analyse data using appropriate methods of research and analysis.
• Identify and evaluate your key skills.
• Plan and undertake a work-based learning project.
• Plan and monitor your personal and professional development.

The FdA in Police Studies is delivered by supported distance learning and the Institute has extensive experience in the design, delivery and support of such programmes. You will receive high quality course materials to guide you through each unit of study. We also use the Moodle online learning environment, which will enable you to access course materials, communicate with the tutors and other students and to discuss and present your work. You will receive induction material at the beginning of the course, which will guide you through the use of Moodle and registering and accessing the distance learning facilities offered by the University Library.

Students in their second year will be supported personally through the Professional Practice Project. The Institute holds two annual events in Portsmouth which you are invited to attend. A two day induction and re-induction event takes place in September and a Study Conference in late January. This is an opportunity for you to meet the staff and other students who you have worked with and to sample more traditional forms of learning such as lectures and tutorials.

Throughout the course you will also work towards achieving level 2 key skills standards in Communication, Application of Number, Information Technology and Improving your Own Learning and Performance. You will also be participating in personal development planning to help you monitor and plan your progress.

Teaching and assessment

The Foundation degree is a relatively new qualification that opens up opportunities for those students already in the workplace who may have thought that higher education wasn't for them. We do not require any formal academic entry qualifications and the only restrictions are that:

(1) You are a serving police officer, special constable or PCSO in a Home Office funded United Kingdom police force or otherwise in a police force offering equivalent ‘probationer constable’ training.
(2) You have access to a computer and the internet and are able to use a web browser.

The degree is delivered by distance learning so that you are able to continue working. Typically you need to devote 12-15 hours per week to study but with distance learning you have the flexibility to choose when and where this takes place.

The degree is open to officers at any stage of their career. We have a large number of students currently studying with us who are well beyond their probationary period, and some holding senior rank.

In addition to this flexibility, distance learning offers:

• up-to-date research-based course materials
• access to the University’s library catalogue and library services
• clear and professionally presented information and debate
• detailed guidance on study skills, research methods, research project management, and essay writing skills
• professional administrative support
• access to dedicated tutor support, by phone, letter or email
• access to University’s web course tools service, Moodle

Moodle is an internet-based electronic learning environment. It will:

• give you access to extra learning resources
• enable you to access to the University’s library catalogue and many other services, such as support in developing learning skills
• provide you with direct access to a wide range of journals i.e. you will be able to download relevant articles and materials to your computer, to read in your own home
• enable you to communicate with fellow students and build a learning community
• allow you to take part in on-line discussions with tutors and lecturers
• enable you to post information about yourself, and start and engage in discussion

Assessment is entirely through the submission of coursework. This is in a range of forms including essays, and a work-based learning project. Assessment is designed to encourage you to reflect on your own work-based experience. The Professional Practice Project provides the opportunity to work on an issue that relates directly to your work place. Recent projects have included:

• Facial recognition in crime reduction
• Anti-social behaviour orders
• The role of police community support officers
• Community policing initiatives
• Application of the National Intelligence Model

Career prospects

Successful completion of the Foundation degree in Police Studies guarantees access to honours degree programmes, both at the University of Portsmouth and selected other institutions.

Upon successful completion of all elements of the Foundation degree in Police Studies a total of 240 credits are awarded. A proportion of these credits are awarded for successful completion of relevant police related training programmes (number of credits awarded being dependent on particular courses). The remaining credits are awarded on successful completion of academic units of the degree. This academic element of the course is offered on a part-time basis.

At the University of Portsmouth, on graduation from the Foundation degree in Police Studies you have a guaranteed right of entry to two further distance-learning programmes (if commenced within five years of graduation):

• BSc (Hons) Crime and Criminology
• BSc (Hons) Risk and Security Management
• BSc (Hons) Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies

In each case you would study for a further 120 credits for the honours degree award. The typical completion time for these programmes is 18 months.

Facilities and features

The University Library offers a tailored service to distance learners including:

• access to a range of electronic books (over 47,000 titles) and journals (17,000 titles)
• access to local UK academic libraries via SCONUL access scheme
• delivery of book chapters and articles from hard copy in stock at no cost
• loan of books by post in the UK for return postage
• help and advice in locating and using information sources from an online advice service in your Virtual Learning Environment
• telephone helpline staffed 8.30am–8.45pm weekdays and 10am–4pm at weekends during term-time
• lectures and hands-on sessions in using University resources at induction days and study schools

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for FdA Police Studies for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).