PCEP
Police Constable Entry Programme
A non-degree route to becoming a police constable, with training delivered by the force and no university study attached.
Also searched as police constable entry programme, pcep, non degree police route. We currently see 4 forces referencing this route, with 2 live adverts we can read directly.
Length
Around two years to confirmation as a constable
Who it's for
Candidates without a degree who want the most direct route in, and who do not want to study for a qualification alongside the job.
Pay
£33,969 from day one, more with allowances
What you need
- Level 3 qualification (A-levels, BTEC or equivalent) or relevant experience
- Aged 17 to apply, 18 to be appointed — no upper age limit, but forces expect a full pension-eligible career
- 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
- You are paid the standard constable starting salary from day one
- No degree is awarded at the end — this is the trade-off against PCDA
- Not every force runs PCEP; some use PCDA or DHEP exclusively
Forces advertising PCEP
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
PCEP questions
What is Police Constable Entry Programme? +
A non-degree route to becoming a police constable, with training delivered by the force and no university study attached.
Who is PCEP for? +
Candidates without a degree who want the most direct route in, and who do not want to study for a qualification alongside the job.
How long does PCEP take? +
Around two years to confirmation as a constable. You are paid the standard constable starting salary from day one.
What do you need to apply for PCEP? +
Level 3 qualification (A-levels, BTEC or equivalent) or relevant experience. Aged 17 to apply, 18 to be appointed — no upper age limit, but forces expect a full pension-eligible career. Right to work in the UK and three years' continuous UK residency. Pass the online assessment centre, fitness test, medical and vetting.
What does PCEP pay? +
PCEP 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
PCDA
Three years, ending in a degree and confirmation as a constable
DHEP
Two years to 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