Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)
Nottinghamshire Police
Nottingham (2 available locations)
Closes in 11 days (Sunday 15 March 2026)
Posted on 25 February 2026
Contents
Summary
The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship is available for highly motivated individuals who will complete the degree programme alongside their employment as a Police Officer. The probationary period for this role will be three years to accommodate the Degree Programme. The Degree will be a BA in Policing provided by a university provider.
- Wage
-
Competitive
Competitive wage offered
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
£31,164 to £50,256 per annum (pro-rata if part time)
- Training course
- Police constable (integrated degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
You will work 40 hours per week working rotating shifts after initial training (this includes weekends, nights and bank holidays with a shift pattern over 365/6 days a year)
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 28 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- Positions available
-
18
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
As a Police Officer you will be working in the frontline of the criminal justice system and community engagement. Responsible for protection of life and property, the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order. You will have a vital role in supporting victims and witnesses and providing reassurance to individuals who have been subjected to crime and anti-social behaviour. Working in partnership with the public and other organisations in order to make a difference to the local community.
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- Sherwood Lodge, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 8PP
- The Arrow Centre, Hucknall North, Nottingham, NG15 8AY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY OF DERBY
Training course
Police constable (integrated degree) (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply authorised professional practice (APP) within day-to-day policing contexts in line with local policing policies.
- Identify, organise, engage, and clearly communicate information with a range of stakeholders to manage planned and dynamic situations, which influence and lead others in a policing context.
- Gather, handle, store, disclose and analyse information and intelligence from relevant sources, in line with organisational policies and procedures to support law enforcement and to maximise policing effectiveness.
- Apply an open investigative mind-set whilst cognisant of the code of ethics and national decision-making model.
- Manage dynamic conflict situations through leadership, taking personal accountability for the use of proportionate and justifiable responses and actions.
- Manage ethical searches for evidence and information in differing environments, including searching of people, vehicles and open spaces.
- Provide an initial, autonomous and risk assessed response to incidents, including complex and confrontational, to bring about the best possible outcomes.
- Provide an initial, autonomous response to crime scenes, that require the management and preservation of evidence and exhibits.
- Provide leadership at policing incidents and situations providing empathetic support to protect the public including the most vulnerable.
- Manage and conduct priority and volume investigations by identifying, evaluating and acting upon appropriate lines of enquiry including digital evidence, to enable the presenting of permissible evidence to authorities where required.
- Use police powers to deal with suspects including arrest, report and alternative disposal options.
- Interview victims, witnesses and suspects, inclusive of vulnerable persons in accordance with investigative standards contained within Authorised Professional Practice and use of the PEACE model.
- Assess risk and threats demonstrating critical thinking using the national decision-making model, in order to select and apply specialist techniques to support individuals in need of public protection.
- Use discretion when applying powers across policing situations ensuring these are proportionate, legal, accountable and necessary.
- Engage in self-reflection to improve own professional practice in future operational activities.
- Apply reflection strategies to existing policy and practice recommending innovative approaches to policing.
- Engage with individuals and collaborate with organisations in the community, to enhance effective teamworking in order to achieve positive outcomes for public reassurance, safety and well-being.
- Critically apply problem-solving techniques to prevention interventions to inform decision-making and actions in policing environments.
- Apply local organisational sustainable practices.
- Embed organisational led good practice requirements for equality, diversity and inclusivity in decision making in policing situations.
- Apply authorised professional practice (APP) within day-to-day policing contexts in line with local policing policies.
- Identify, organise, engage, and clearly communicate information with a range of stakeholders to manage planned and dynamic situations, which influence and lead others in a policing context.
- Gather, handle, store, disclose and analyse information and intelligence from relevant sources, in line with organisational policies and procedures to support law enforcement and to maximise policing effectiveness.
- Apply an open investigative mind-set whilst cognisant of the code of ethics and national decision-making model.
- Manage dynamic conflict situations through leadership, taking personal accountability for the use of proportionate and justifiable responses and actions.
- Manage ethical searches for evidence and information in differing environments, including searching of people, vehicles and open spaces.
- Provide an initial, autonomous and risk assessed response to incidents, including complex and confrontational, to bring about the best possible outcomes.
- Provide an initial, autonomous response to crime scenes, that require the management and preservation of evidence and exhibits.
- Provide leadership at policing incidents and situations providing empathetic support to protect the public including the most vulnerable.
- Manage and conduct priority and volume investigations by identifying, evaluating and acting upon appropriate lines of enquiry including digital evidence, to enable the presenting of permissible evidence to authorities where required.
- Use police powers to deal with suspects including arrest, report and alternative disposal options.
- Interview victims, witnesses and suspects, inclusive of vulnerable persons in accordance with investigative standards contained within Authorised Professional Practice and use of the PEACE model.
- Assess risk and threats demonstrating critical thinking using the national decision-making model, in order to select and apply specialist techniques to support individuals in need of public protection.
- Use discretion when applying powers across policing situations ensuring these are proportionate, legal, accountable and necessary.
- Engage in self-reflection to improve own professional practice in future operational activities.
- Apply reflection strategies to existing policy and practice recommending innovative approaches to policing.
- Engage with individuals and collaborate with organisations in the community, to enhance effective teamworking in order to achieve positive outcomes for public reassurance, safety and well-being.
- Critically apply problem-solving techniques to prevention interventions to inform decision-making and actions in policing environments.
- Apply local organisational sustainable practices.
- Embed organisational led good practice requirements for equality, diversity and inclusivity in decision making in policing situations.
Training schedule
You will work 40 hours per week working rotating shifts after initial training (this includes weekends, nights and bank holidays with a shift pattern over 365/6 days a year).
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
A Level in:
Other in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Patience
Other requirements
You must hold:
A Level 2 qualification in maths and English (grade C/4 or above)
2 A levels or a Level 3 qualification in any subject (National Diploma, Level 3 NVQ, Access to Higher Education Diploma)
A full driving licence (manual)
You also must have resided in the UK for at least the last 3 years. Vetting Level Recruitment
About this employer
Nottinghamshire Police Apprentice scheme provides a variety of apprenticeships that allow the opportunity to studying for a range of professional qualifications. Apprentices learn a wide range of workplace skills and practical knowledge. As an apprentices in training you will undertake a structured training program of academic study with Vision West Notts College as well as develop on the job training to gain the required skills, knowledge to support you in your role.
Company benefits
-25 days holidays+bank holidays
-Pension with XPS
-Paid overtime opportunities
-Gym facilities for just £3 per month
-A vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
-Access to Police Mutual
-Blue Light Card
After this apprenticeship
Once you have completed probation, you can progress through the standard police rank structure, subject to experience, assessment, and promotion processes. The Home Office "Join the Police" guidance outlines the typical pathway:
- Police Constable / Detective Constable– starting rank
- Sergeant– first supervisory rank
- Inspector– manages teams and major incidents
- Chief Inspector– leads larger teams or departments
- Superintendent– senior management position
- Chief Superintendent– oversees policing in a geographic area
- Assistant Chief Constable
- Deputy Chief Constable
- Chief Constable/ (in the Met: Commander up to Commissioner)
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Nottinghamshire Police
recruitment
recruitment@Notts.Police.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000017661.
Apply now
Closes in 11 days (Sunday 15 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.