Faculty of Health & Social Sciences
School of Applied Social Sciences
Begin@Beds
We are delighted that you will be studying with us. This booklet provides you with some key information that you will find useful in preparing you for your course and for your first few weeks and months at University.
Course Coordinator
Jonathan South jonathan.south@beds.ac.uk
Your personal academic tutor is Email
Hello, my name is Jonathan South and I am the course coordinator for the Professional Policing Degree. We always look forwards to having a new intake and helping you learn more about the degree during induction week. Studying on the Professional Policing Degree allows you time to develop both your knowledge of policing and also your academic skills at the same time. We have a team of 4 retired Police Officers, all with different experiences so this will help you develop your knowledge.
Jonathan South Course Coordinator
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Student Information Desk (SiD) beds.ac.uk/sid sid@beds.ac.uk
Treehouse Community & Faith Centre
Mental Health Services
beds.ac.uk/student-support/mentalwell mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk
BedsSU (student union) help@bedssu.co.uk
During induction week you will get to meet all of your Policing lecturers and Professional Policing students from other year groups.
The following is a typical Welcome Week schedule:
Day 1 am
Introduction to: Student support services, student union and library services. Ice breaker and social integration.
pm Support and help at university.
Day 2 am
pm
Learning about your course – what to expect, getting the most from Breo, Q&A with staff and students.
Working in the Police and volunteering. First one-to-one meeting.
ESSENTIAL LINKS
For more information on joining your course, visit Begin BA Professional Policing @Beds where you will find updated info, tips and dates of your course induction week etc.
YEAR 1 STUDENTS WILL BE STUDYING
Developing academic skills
Research and decision-making approaches
Policing and society
Introduction to criminal legislation and police powers Complexities and contradictions in offender management, victim support and public protection
How to find your Timetable
Information about your learning with BREO
Get support with your learning and assignments Study Hub
Visit the Library
Begin@Beds Start your student journey
Thrive@Beds My Beds Life
Succeed@Beds Careers and Employability Service
This Degree is part of the Police Educational Qualifications Framework and is licensed by The College of Policing. This allows graduates to apply for a role as a Police Officer if that is what they choose to do. We re-write the degree every year to ensure that it is current and up-to-date. This is a curriculum shared by Police Forces and Higher Education to ensure that officers and students get taught the same curriculum throughout England and Wales.
Here at the School of Applied Social Sciences (SASS), we design assessments to embrace Social Justice Pedagogy (MacArthur 2015). Social Justice Pedagogy aims to educate and enable students to become active citizens, understanding social inequalities and be able to challenge such injustices in wider society.
Your assessments are also designed to develop your employability skills and are ‘applied’ in the sense that they reflect the real world of work that you might enter when you leave. For us it is crucial to ensure we have ‘Assessments for Learning’ as well as ‘Assessments of Learning’
The assessment strategy for the Professional Policing Degree aims to develop both knowledge and skills that are required for a Police Officer. We try to offer a range of assessments including:
Multiple choice law tests (modelled on those Police Officers take)
Essays
Presentations
Recorded media presentations
Case Studies
Reflective journal
Poster presentations
Interview analysis
The course handbook is Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students. This book updates every year to keep pace with changes.
• Russell, Jonathan, Simon and Keren https://youtu.be/6pCfQHiqkTk
• Poppy, Libby & Beth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7NQSJOtZu4
• Brandon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4IicC_pspA
…we have people from different sectors of the police come in and have a talk with us which I think we all can say we learn so much with so that’s my favourite part.
• Hear from Professional Policing student Beth on how easy it was to transfer from another college doing an HND to complete her degree at the University of Bedfordshire https://youtu.be/yklAvUO0k2U
• Course Information Form
https://www.beds.ac.uk/media/eoffinji/bapolaaf_ucif.pdf
• Eating and drinking on-campus – University of Bedfordshire
• Luton
All of our lecturers have different cases that they’ve worked on and it just gives us a bit more experience for when we go into the police ourselves.
Because of how tailored the course is to the police force it enables us to have links already with the people that we speak to and who we’re taught by.
This degree teaches over 2 academic semesters. We try to condense our teaching days where possible, and will give you suggested reading and activities to keep on top of your studies.
Developing academic skills
Semester
One
Semester
Two
Research and decision-making approaches
Policing and society
Introduction to criminal legislation and police powers
Complexities and contradictions in offender management, victim support and public protection
Do I have to join the Police when I graduate?
No, you do not. Some of our students go and work in other areas such as business or charitable organisations. The students who have applied to join the police this year have all got in already!
Do I have to join the police straight after graduating?
No, you do not. You have 5 years to apply to the police after graduating to enter on the Professional Policing Degree entry route.
Do I have to volunteer?
No, this is not a requirement of the course. We do have students who are Special Constables and they enjoy that experience. It adds value to their learning and also develops skills, knowledge, experience and contacts.
What happens if I am unwell and cannot attend a lecture?
We understand that everyone will be unwell at times and we aim to be flexible and support your learning. You are asked to keep in contact with your unit lead or Personal Academic Tutor. Our student representatives also help keep communication open.
Will I get help with my assessments?
Details are in your assessment handbook, so check out the guidance there. Your course team are always available to guide you with curriculum content and you might want to book a 1:1 tutorial with your Unit Lead. If you need more time to complete an assignment, please contact Student Engagement and Mitigation (SEAM) who deal with extensions for assessments. Their email is mitigation@beds.ac.uk
Is there somewhere for me to get support if I have a learning difference such as Dyslexia?
Yes! There is plenty of help available and students may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, stating any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. There is also help available for practice based learning. Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?
Yes! The Student Union will provide lots of information about the sporting clubs, activities and events available for all students at UoB. For more information visit bedssu.co.uk
Do I need to take a physical test?
No, we do not do the physical test, but we can arrange for a fitness test or help if you would like.
What if I’m struggling with my mental health at university?
We will support you and have a range of services who can offer specialist help. mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk for new or on-going mental health support and counselling@beds.ac.uk for access to counselling support.
Can I talk to someone about my money worries?
Yes, we recognise the cost of living crisis is impacting significantly on students. Our financial advisors can help you. Contact studentmoney@beds.ac.uk
There is a lot to take in when joining a professional course like this. The teaching team are all retired Police Officers and have extensive experience of policing. We have all helped mentor or train police officers as well as being teaching staff.
There are now many ways to develop your policing studies including post-graduate study and professional courses.
Join a job that offers variety and many different development opportunities.
We’ll make sure you feel that you belong to your academic community and are confident about your ability to succeed; everyone is helpful and wants you to do well.
We value everyone, respect your lived experience and recognise how it contributes to our vibrant, inclusive, academic community.
Learn how to make effective decisions and be able to defend them.
Find out about Criminal Law and how it can be applied ethically.
Develop an awareness of police behaviours.
You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in our #SASS Change Maker events and other extra curricular activities, meet other students, increase your knowledge and develop new skills. Learn in our custody suite, moot court or crime scene room.
Meet current police officers and find out about what they do.