How to Become a Police Officer in the UK: A Guide to the Qualifications You Need
Becoming a police officer is one of the most respected jobs in the UK. In fact, this may be a dream for you. As a police officer, you need to perform various responsibilities like maintaining public order, creating crime reports, conducting arrests, performing investigations, etc. If you are from the UK and want to become a police officer you need to know the qualifications needed to become a police officer in the UK.
Quick Takeaways
- To become a police officer you will need to have 3 A-levels and 5 GCSEs.
- The A-levels that you need to become a professor are – A-level law, PE, BTEC, Modern foreign languages, etc.
- The GCSEs that you need to become a professor are – Maths, English, Science, languages, etc.
- Along with that, you will need to have a degree-apprenticeship in professional policing practice and continuing professional development (CPD).
However, you must read till the end as we have discussed the qualifications that are needed by the police officer in detail.
What qualifications do you need to become a police officer in the UK?
To become a police officer you will need to have various qualifications. You will need to have three different A-levels and 5 pass GCSEs. In addition to it, you will need to have a degree-apprenticeship in professional policing practice or a degree in professional policing.
Other requirements that you need to have is continuing professional development (CPD), a graduate diploma, written assessments, fitness tests, interviews, and a possible training program. If you have good fitness, you can also think of becoming the Orangetheory instructor.
What GCSEs do you need to be a police officer in the UK?
As already discussed, you will need to pass the 5 GCSEs in at least 4 grades. To become a police officer it is important for you to have GCSEs in Math, English language, and Science. If you fail in any of these GCSEs like maths, you can retake it at university. These three subjects are the main criteria to become a police officer.
However, having a strong GCSE score in PE or sociology can be an extra advantage. Having sociology as your GCSE will help you to study LAW as your A-level. You can also think about taking up a GCSE in a foreign language as it will help you to learn different languages.
What are the A-levels that you need to become a police officer in the UK?
You will need to have three different A-levels to become a police officer in the UK. Each university has its own requirements and thus you must keep a check on its requirements. Following are some of the useful A-levels that will help you to become a Police officer-
1. A-level Law
Though there will be different A-level requirements for each university one of the most common A-level is the A-level in Law. This is not just taken by the lawyers but also if you want to become a policeman. This is because you will be dealing with a position that needs knowledge of the laws of the country, therefore you must choose A-level in law.
2. A-level BTECH in uniform public services
Another important A-level is the BTECH in uniformed public services. The curriculum of this course is designed in such a manner that you will be able to work in emergencies. The curriculum in this course is equal to the 3 A-levels and you will need to have at least 4 GCSEs to get into this course.
3. A-level PE (Physical Education)
As we discussed above, you will need to pass the fitness test in order to become a police officer. What is better than having A-level in PE? Physical education is a subject that is useful for gaining knowledge related to general fitness.
4. A-level modern foreign languages
As a police officer you may need to deal with people who have a different language, thus having an A-level in modern languages will help you to communicate with them more efficiently. In addition to it, having a modern language A-level increases your chances to get selected.
There are other essential A-levels like math, English, social science, science, etc that you can take up depending upon the requirements of the university. However, the above-mentioned A-levels are the most vital subjects for becoming a Police officer.
How long does it take to become a police officer?
It will take 3 years for you to become a police officer if you are taking the police constable degree apprenticeship (PCDA). However, in addition to it, you will need to pass the fitness as well as medical test after completing the training program. The training program can take a few weeks to some months depending upon the type of training you are taking.
Can you join the police without a degree in the UK?
No, you do not need a degree to become a police officer in the UK. There are various police constable degree apprenticeship (PCDA) programs that help you to become a police officer without getting a degree. You will be learning both theoretical as well as practical knowledge that you need to become the police. PCDA is a program that will take you three years to become a police officer and you will become specialized in the third year.
FAQs
How much do police get paid in the UK?
The average median annual salary of the police in the UK is around £29,000. Although if we talk the maximum average annual salary of the police in the UK is £40,000 and the minimum is £21,000. However, you must remember that the salary will depend upon the area where you are working and also on your experience.
Do police pay taxes in the UK?
Yes, the police do pay taxes in the UK. However, there is tax relief for you if you are a police officer in the UK. Tax relief is a fund that is provided by the government to lower your tax liability if you meet the requirements.
These tax reliefs are mainly given to the people with uniforms as it is a sign of respect and honor to them. You get a tax suspension in the form of a one-time payment of £140.00. This is given due to the arrangement between the MPS and HMRC.
Conclusion
To become a Police officer you will need to have passed 5 GCSEs with at least 4 grades and pass the three A-levels. You must have Math, English, and Science as your GCSE subjects. In addition to it, you can choose a GCSE in sociology, modern languages, and Physical Education. As far as A-levels are concerned, it depends upon which university you are getting into. Though most common A-levels that are needed by the universities are A-level Law, Math, English Language, BTECH in uniform public services, modern languages, social science, and PE.
