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 paid for by the force.
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.
Short answer
A two-year route for people who already hold a degree in any subject, leading to a graduate diploma in professional policing practice paid for by the force. New constables start on £32,255 a year, more in London and South East forces that pay allowances. On 1 October 2026 the national joining the police website listed 9 forces recruiting through this route. You apply to the force, not to a national scheme.
Forces listing DHEP on 1 October 2026
From the national joining the police website's DHEP list, read on 1 October 2026. It is a dated reading, not a live feed, and drops off this page once it is more than five weeks old.
Gloucestershire
South West · from £32,255
Hampshire
South East · from £34,325
Kent
South East · from £35,360
the Met
London · from £42,334
Norfolk
East of England · from £32,255
Northumbria
North East · from £32,255
South Wales
Wales · from £32,255
Suffolk
East of England · from £32,255
West Midlands
West Midlands · from £32,255
Length
Two years, with a two-year probation
Who it's for
Graduates in any subject other than the professional policing degree, whose holders have their own route.
Pay
£32,255 from day one, more with allowances
What you need
- A level 6 (bachelor's) degree in any subject, or an overseas equivalent recognised by UK ENIC (Home Office Annex BA)
- Aged 17 to apply and 18 to be appointed
- If not a UK or EEA national, indefinite leave to remain, plus enough checkable UK history for vetting
- Pass the national sift, online assessment process, force interview, fitness test, medical and vetting
Worth knowing first
- Shorter than the PCDA because it builds on your existing degree
- Many forces run a detective version (detective DHEP)
- Delivered and assessed at academic level 6 throughout
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.
44
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
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
South Yorkshire Police
Read from South Yorkshire Police's own job board, today.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/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
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/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
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
DHEP questions
Which forces are recruiting DHEP in 2026? +
On 1 October 2026 the national joining the police website listed Gloucestershire Constabulary, Hampshire Constabulary, Kent Police, Metropolitan Police, Norfolk Constabulary, Northumbria Police, South Wales Police, Suffolk Constabulary, West Midlands Police as recruiting through degree holder entry programme. Routes open and close often, so confirm on the force's own site.
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 paid for by the force.
Who is DHEP for? +
Graduates in any subject other than the professional policing degree, whose holders have their own route.
How long does DHEP take? +
Two years, with a two-year probation. Shorter than the PCDA because it builds on your existing degree.
What do you need to apply for DHEP? +
A level 6 (bachelor's) degree in any subject, or an overseas equivalent recognised by UK ENIC (Home Office Annex BA). Aged 17 to apply and 18 to be appointed. If not a UK or EEA national, indefinite leave to remain, plus enough checkable UK history for vetting. Pass the national sift, online assessment process, force interview, fitness test, medical and vetting.
What does DHEP pay? +
DHEP entrants are paid as police constables from day one: £32,255 a year at pay point 1 on the national scale, more in forces that pay a London or South East allowance. That is roughly £1,952 a month after tax, National Insurance and the police pension contribution.
Compare the other routes
PCEP
Two years, with a two-year probation
PCDA
Three years, with a three-year probation
Detective
Two-year probation, plus the learning needed for PIP 2 accreditation
Transferee
Set by the receiving force; vetting and references are the usual waits
Rejoiner
Probation of 6 months if you rejoin within 12 months at your old rank, otherwise 12 months
Specials
Ongoing, with a minimum monthly hours commitment set by each force
PCSO
Permanent role, starting with an initial learning programme
Staff
Permanent and fixed-term contracts