Police officer entry routes
There’s never been a more exciting time to join GMP. We offer multiple entry routes into policing, all of which will enable you to gain an externally recognised qualification on successful completion:
- Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)
- Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP)
Whichever route you choose, you’ll be employed as an officer from day one, learning alongside experienced officers on the frontline, while earning a competitive salary and working towards a fully funded degree or graduate diploma in Professional Policing Practice.
Working for Greater Manchester Police offers some of the most challenging, interesting and rewarding policing careers in the UK. If you have the passion and skills required, and are interested in developing your career in a Police Force that is committed to recognising and valuing its workforce; then we'll offer you the opportunity to deliver highest quality policing in the UK, to really make a difference to communities who deserve the best.
| Police constable degree apprenticeship (PCDA) | Degree holder entry programme (DHEP) | |
|---|---|---|
| What | A three-year degree apprenticeship | A two-year programme |
| Qualification | Achieves a BSc (Hons) in Professional Policing | Achieves a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice |
| Who | Non-degree holders | Degree holders |
| Starting salary | £24,780 (pay point 1) rising to £25,902 per annum (pay point 2) after 12 months service. | £24,780 (pay point 1) rising to £25,902 per annum (pay point 2) after 12 months service. |
Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)
For those interested in working towards achieving a degree (No degree required)
You don't need a degree to join Greater Manchester Police. With the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) you can earn and learn on the job, earning a degree in Professional Policing Practice by the end of the programme.
Our PCDA pathway, fully funded by the GMP, recognises policing as a degree-level profession. The PCDA is a vocational course that focuses on practical learning and is specifically tailored to help you start your career in policing.
From day one you’ll be employed as a police officer spending most of your time on the frontline working alongside your team, turning your learning into practical experience.
We are proud to be partnered with the University of Salford and UCLan who are delivering this programme along side Greater Manchester Police.
It is a three-year apprenticeship programme for non-degree holders resulting in a BSc degree in Professional Policing Practice.
Recruitment to the apprenticeship requires three elements to be completed;
1) To meet the academic requirements of this programme, apprentices must have level 2 GCSE grade C (4-6) or above in both Mathematics and English or equivalent e.g. or Functional Skills Level 2 or Adult Numeracy.
2) Recruitment to GMP is subject to successful completion of the National Assessment Centre process alongside specific GMP requirements
3) You will need a minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points which is the equivalent to the following achievements
- A Levels with grades - CCC or equivalent
- Pearson’s BTEC National Extended Diploma - MMM
- Access to HE Diploma - Pass
If you do not possess these qualifications you may still be suitable for entry providing you meet the level 2 criteria above and can demonstrate Accreditation of Prior learning (APL).
This would be candidates that can evidence any learning and development within the last 5 years. For example applicants who may not have the traditional entry criteria but do have relevant certified evidence and/or experience drawn from life / work and who demonstrate the ability to pursue the programme successfully.
Part of the process for candidates that apply via this route will be a formal assessment by the University to assess suitability for the course by considering candidates Accreditation of Prior learning (APL) and relevant experience.
- Fitness: We also want to make you aware at this early stage of the requirements for the fitness test. This is a test of endurance whereby you will you will be asked to run along a 15 metre track in time with a series of bleeps, which become increasingly faster to level 5.4.
- Age: Candidates aged 17 and above may apply to become a police officer and if successful may take up appointment once they reach the age of 18.
- Tattoos: Certain tattoos may exclude you from employment with GMP, this depends on where they are on your body and what they may depict.
- Convictions and Cautions: If you do have any criminal convictions or cautions on record you may still apply, eligibility will depend on the age and nature of the offence.
- Membership of groups and organisations: You will not be able to join GMP if you are a member of a group and/or organisation that contradicts our values or ethics and our commitment to inclusion.
- Previous applications: You must not have had a Police Officer application rejected by ourselves, or another Force in the last 3 months to apply to GMP.
Our starting salary packages start from approximately £24,780 (pay point 1) rising to £25,902 per annum (pay point 2) after 12 months service. You will receive further increments in accordance with the Constables Pay Structure for new Entrants in England and Wales. Part-time officers' salaries will be based on the pro-rata equivalent of a full-time officer.
Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP)
For those who already have a degree
If you want to join Greater Manchester Police as an officer and already have a degree, then the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) is the route for you.
Our DHEP pathway, fully funded by the GMP, builds on your academic achievements to date and you’ll graduate with a diploma in Professional Policing Practice. It’s a vocational course that focuses on practical learning and is specifically tailored to help you start your career in policing.
From day one you’ll be employed as a police officer spending most of your time on the frontline working alongside your team, turning your learning into practical experience.
We are proud to be partnered with the University of Salford and UCLan who are delivering this programme along side Greater Manchester Police.
It is a two-year programme for degree holders resulting in a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice.
Recruitment to this Diploma programme requires a number of elements to be satisfied;
1) Recruitment to GMP is subject to successful completion of the National Assessment Centre process alongside specific GMP requirements
2) To meet the academic requirements of this programme, you must be able to provide the following:
• English GCSE grade C or grade 4 and above or an equivalent English Level 2 Qualification,
• Maths GCSE grade C or grade 4 and above or an equivalent Maths Level 2 Qualification
• Level 6 Qualification or any higher level qualification.
- Fitness: We also want to make you aware at this early stage of the requirements for the fitness test. This is a test of endurance whereby you will you will be asked to run along a 15 metre track in time with a series of bleeps, which become increasingly faster to level 5.4.
- Age: Candidates aged 17 and above may apply to become a police officer and if successful may take up appointment once they reach the age of 18.
- Tattoos: Certain tattoos may exclude you from employment with GMP, this depends on where they are on your body and what they may depict.
- Convictions and Cautions: If you do have any criminal convictions or cautions on record you may still apply, eligibility will depend on the age and nature of the offence.
- Membership of groups and organisations: You will not be able to join GMP if you are a member of a group and/or organisation that contradicts our values or ethics and our commitment to inclusion.
- Previous applications: You must not have had a Police Officer application rejected by ourselves, or another Force in the last 3 months to apply to GMP.
The starting salary is £24,780 (pay point 1) rising to £25,902 per annum (pay point 2) after 12 months service. You will receive further increments in accordance with the Constables Pay Structure for new Entrants in England and Wales.