The Pre-Join Degree Explained
The one PEQF entry route that happens entirely before you're employed as a police officer — study first, apply after. Last reviewed 30 September 2026.
Where This Fits Among The Three Entry Routes
The College of Policing lists four entry routes for police constables in England and Wales: PCDA, DHEP, the pre-join degree, and, since 1 April 2024, the non-degree Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP). Of the three degree-based routes, PCDA and DHEP get you paid from day one; the pre-join degree works the opposite way round.
| Route | Employed While Studying? | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Join Degree | No — ordinary university student | Anyone happy to fund a policing degree first, then apply |
| PCDA | Yes: paid by the force while you study | Two A levels or equivalent Level 3, no degree; earn while studying |
| DHEP | Yes: paid by the force while you study | Already hold a Level 6 degree in any subject |
Source: College of Policing, police constable entry routes. See our full PCDA vs DHEP breakdown for pay and training detail on those two routes.
What The Degree Actually Involves
You study a degree in professional policing at a university licensed and validated by the College of Policing. The College says the degree is usually a three-year programme, though some universities offer an accelerated two-year version, and it is fully funded by the student. Because you are a student rather than an employee, check with the university what student finance is available for your course. You apply through UCAS like any other degree, and completing it does not by itself lead to a job as an officer.
The Trade-Off Worth Understanding
The appeal is obvious: study on a normal student timeline, potentially alongside other subjects or interests, without the pressure of also being a probationary officer. The trade-off is just as real: you pay your own way through the degree with no salary, and finishing it commits you to nothing and guarantees nothing. You still have to apply to a force afterwards and go through the same four-stage recruitment process, vetting and medical as anyone else.
Force pages we found describe a two-year probationary period for successful applicants, compared with three years for PCDA, and some forces say you must apply within a set period after graduating (one force page we saw said five years). We could not open every force's page, so confirm the probation length, any application window and any extra training with the force you want to join.
Already Decided, Or Still Deciding?
If you're weighing this up against PCDA or DHEP, or just want to check the wider eligibility criteria before committing to a degree, these go together well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pre-Join Degree in Professional Policing?
It's one of four entry routes into policing listed by the College of Policing, alongside the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) and the Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP). Instead of studying while employed as a police officer, you complete a College-licensed degree in professional policing at a university first, funded by yourself, then apply to a force afterwards.
Does completing the degree guarantee a job as a police officer?
No. The College of Policing says completing the degree doesn't guarantee police employment: you still apply separately to a force and go through the four-stage recruitment process (application form, online sifting tests, online assessment and a face-to-face interview) plus vetting, the medical and the fitness test.
How is this different from PCDA?
With PCDA, you're employed by a force from the start, paid while working towards a degree in professional policing practice over three years, funded primarily through the apprenticeship levy. With the pre-join degree, you study first as a university student, funded by yourself and not yet a police officer, then apply afterwards.
How is this different from DHEP?
DHEP is for people who already hold a Level 6 degree in any subject (other than the College-licensed policing degree). They join the police first and complete a two-year programme leading to a graduate diploma in professional policing practice while employed. The pre-join degree is a policing degree completed before you're employed as an officer.
Does a shorter probation actually apply once I join?
Force pages we found describe a two-year probationary period for successful pre-join degree applicants, compared with three years on PCDA, but we could not open every force's page and arrangements are set by each force. Confirm the probation length and any additional training with the force you're applying to.
Do I have to join the police after finishing the degree?
No. It's a degree in its own right, so you are not committed to joining the police, and completing it doesn't guarantee a job. Some forces also state a window for applying after you graduate, so check the force's rules if you delay.
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Sources: College of Policing police constable entry routes page (read through a mirror, as the College site can block automated access); Durham and Cumbria force pages via search snippets for probation length. PolicePay is independent and not affiliated with the College or any force.