DHEP
Degree Holder Entry Programme
A two-year route for people who already hold a degree in any subject, leading to a graduate diploma in professional policing practice.
Also searched as degree holder entry programme, dhep, graduate police entry. We currently see 4 forces referencing this route, with 4 live adverts we can read directly.
Length
Two years to confirmation as a constable
Who it's for
Graduates in any discipline. The degree does not need to be in policing or criminology.
Pay
£33,969 from day one, more with allowances
What you need
- A completed bachelor's degree in any subject
- Aged 18 or over at appointment
- Right to work in the UK and three years' continuous UK residency
- Pass the online assessment centre, fitness test, medical and vetting
Worth knowing first
- Shorter than PCDA because your existing degree is recognised
- Several forces run a detective-specific variant — see the detective route
- Study load is lighter than PCDA but the operational pace is faster
Forces advertising DHEP
Filtered to forces where our last check found this route. Forces whose systems block automated reading won't appear here even if they are recruiting — the full board shows every force with its data source.
54
live vacancies we can read
2
forces with a readable job feed
2
forces confirmed recruiting
Last checked today. We check every force twice a day and show you exactly where each answer came from.
Showing 4 of 43 forces
West Midlands Police
Read from West Midlands Police's own job board, today.
Starting salary
£33,969
national scale
≈ £2,027/mo take-home
Starting salary
£33,969
national scale
≈ £2,027/mo take-home
Derbyshire Constabulary
Read from Derbyshire Constabulary's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£33,969
national scale
≈ £2,027/mo take-home
Lancashire Constabulary
Read from Lancashire Constabulary's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£33,969
national scale
≈ £2,027/mo take-home
DHEP questions
What is Degree Holder Entry Programme? +
A two-year route for people who already hold a degree in any subject, leading to a graduate diploma in professional policing practice.
Who is DHEP for? +
Graduates in any discipline. The degree does not need to be in policing or criminology.
How long does DHEP take? +
Two years to confirmation as a constable. Shorter than PCDA because your existing degree is recognised.
What do you need to apply for DHEP? +
A completed bachelor's degree in any subject. Aged 18 or over at appointment. Right to work in the UK and three years' continuous UK residency. Pass the online assessment centre, fitness test, medical and vetting.
What does DHEP pay? +
DHEP entrants are paid the standard police constable salary — £33,969 a year on the national scale, more in forces that pay a London or South East allowance. That is roughly £2,027 a month after tax, National Insurance and the police pension contribution.
Compare the other routes
PCEP
Around two years to confirmation as a constable
PCDA
Three years, ending in a degree and confirmation as a constable
Detective
Two years to substantive detective constable, in most schemes
Transferee
Typically three to six months from application to start date
Rejoiner
Often faster than initial entry — a shortened conversion rather than a full programme
Specials
Ongoing, with a minimum commitment of around 16 hours a month
PCSO
Permanent role with an initial training period of a few months
Staff
Permanent and fixed-term contracts