Policing - Level 3 Access to Higher Education

Policing - Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma

Capital City College and the Met Police work closely to deliver this exciting and innovative programme. To show their support, any course fees that have been incurred will be reimbursed to you by the Met Police if you are subsequently accepted as a Police Officer.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma: This is a part-time course delivered through a combination of remote online tuition and face-to-face sessions.

Policing is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to join the police service or work within the fields of crime, criminology, or law. We've partnered with the Met Police Service to prepare students for a career in the police service, and the course is aligned for progression to the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship Program. For those who wish to progress to university to study at degree level, the Access to Higher Education Diploma is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification perfect for anyone looking to start a university course.

If you would like to study Policing or Criminology at university but left school without the qualifications you need, then this Access to HE course could be for you. Each year, over 20,000 Access to HE students apply for a degree course at a UK university; if you go on to complete a relevant degree at university, your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off by Student Finance England.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification perfect for anyone looking to start a university course, with no formal qualifications. The Access to HE Diploma: Policing provides HE progression opportunities and widening gateway access for adults who do not have the necessary two A levels or an equivalent Level 3 qualification (as defined in the Education and Skills Act 2008) to enter the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship Program. City and Islington College has partnered with the Metropolitan Police to deliver a broad access program that combines sound theoretical education with vocational training.

This course will help you get the qualifications you need to study policing or criminology, or a related course, at university. The qualification will provide you with a broad understanding of crime and the criminal justice system, whilst also addressing the psychological techniques used by investigators to assist in detecting crime. The Policing Education Framework 2020 requires new applicants to have a Foundation Degree, and you will need a Level 3 qualification, such as this Access to HE Diploma, to access a Foundation Degree.

You will also have a personal tutor who will support you throughout the year and advise you on your applications to higher education institutions.

Teaching occurs through a combination of lectures at our Angel centre in Islington, or online via Microsoft Teams.

Teaching is delivered by experienced practitioners in the field, including ex-Police Officers and Forensic specialists, and through a series of subject-specific guest lectures from working criminal justice professionals.

Topics covered include:

• Introduction to Policing
• Conflict Management within Policing
• Intelligence and Information Gathering in Policing
• Principles of Conducting a Police Investigation
• Arrest, Remand, and Bail Procedures
• Evidence-Based Policing
• Communication Skills in a Police Service Setting
• Local Policing
• Police Ethics and Values
• Criminal Justice System and Victim Care
• Crime and Deviance

This is a part-time course run over 3 days; however, the schedule may vary.

You will need:

• GCSE English grade 4. Alternatively, you must demonstrate the ability to read, write, speak, and understand English at this level. (Please note that achieving a GCSE English grade 4 or an equivalent Level 2 English qualification is a requirement before applying to the Metropolitan Police.)
• Maths GCSE is recommended; however, if not achieved, this can be studied alongside your Access to HE Diploma.

This course is assessed through coursework assignments, tests, and examinations throughout the course, which are set and marked by your teachers and externally moderated by OCN London.

Assessment is continuous throughout the year and is based on several set pieces of work, such as essays, projects, presentations, and tests.

Adults - Access to Higher Education

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have a full Level 3 qualification (a full L3 is the equivalent of two A-levels at A* - E grade). You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions, and live in London If you live outside London, you need to pay fees.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you have to pay for your course, and decide to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL), the residency rules are different: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

Once you have completed your Access to HE course, you can progress to a Higher Education Degree at a university or college.

Learners primarily progress to Higher Education studies in areas related to Criminology. These may include some of the following areas of Degree-level study: Criminology, Crime Scene and Forensic Investigation, Criminal Psychology, Policing, and a range of combined and related Degrees.

Learners can also undertake a Police Apprenticeship Degree, a vocational course focused on practical learning specifically tailored to help learners start their careers in policing.

Capital City College and the Met Police work closely to deliver this exciting and innovative programme. To show their support, any course fees incurred will be reimbursed to you by the Met Police if you are subsequently accepted as a Police Officer.

Alex Walsh, Director of Learning at the Met Police, said: “We’re delighted that, working collaboratively with OCN London, we’re able to offer this new Met-inspired diploma designed to give people the skills and confidence they need to apply to become police constables. We value the wealth of life experience and skills in our London community and recognise that many have the desired attitude and aptitude to become a police officer, but feel that they’re unable to join the Met because they don’t have the necessary qualifications. This is why we are passionate about creating and offering this diploma so that education providers will help bridge the gap, enabling a more diverse and experienced range of people to pursue a career in policing with one of the most globally-renowned police forces.”

Read about this course on the Met Police website: Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Policing).