Go to Uni to study criminology or go for a joint degree apprenticeship in the police?

Oliver062035

I’m in my final year of Sixth form where I’m studying English Literature , Criminology and ICT. I have my eyes set on joining the police force although I cannot decide if I should choose to go to university or get a joint degree apprenticeship. If I were to get the apprenticeship I’d probably be looking at the one Avon and Somerset are offering whereas if I went to university it could be Exeter, Bristol etc. I aim to achieve ABB in Sixth form and hope that after joining the police I’ll be able to raise through the ranks to become a detective. Personally I feel as if I’d prefer the apprenticeship since I’ve always struggle in standard education and have had to put in much more effort than those around me to achieve the same grades. However if it’s a case that going to study at university would give me a 100% better chance I might be willing to give it a go. advice will be greatly appreciated because I’m incredibly conflicted. (I’m not sure if this question fits into ‘Applications and UCAS’, if not please tell me which option I should select.

Reply 1

ageshallnot

21

Original post by Oliver062035

I’m in my final year of Sixth form where I’m studying English Literature , Criminology and ICT. I have my eyes set on joining the police force although I cannot decide if I should choose to go to university or get a joint degree apprenticeship. If I were to get the apprenticeship I’d probably be looking at the one Avon and Somerset are offering whereas if I went to university it could be Exeter, Bristol etc. I aim to achieve ABB in Sixth form and hope that after joining the police I’ll be able to raise through the ranks to become a detective. Personally I feel as if I’d prefer the apprenticeship since I’ve always struggle in standard education and have had to put in much more effort than those around me to achieve the same grades. However if it’s a case that going to study at university would give me a 100% better chance I might be willing to give it a go. advice will be greatly appreciated because I’m incredibly conflicted. (I’m not sure if this question fits into ‘Applications and UCAS’, if not please tell me which option I should select.

Given that you have the career aim of joining the police, then the degree apprenticeship in that job is a no brainer, especially as you don't thrive in pure education and you would avoid the debt associated with a degree.

Reply 2

McGinger

18

If you want to join the Police, then do that.

A degree in Criminology isnt going to help you do that - and it'll cost you £50,000.

Reply 3

Trinculo

21

The PCDA has a lot of hidden issues. It can be a 3 year probation and means you're going back to university a lot to attend lectures and write essays when you will probably have lost all interest and probably have a ton of actual police work on your plate.

Some forces offer the IPLDP, which is a regular police training school and usually only requires A-levels. This may be a better and simpler option for a lot of people. You won't get a degree, but you will be a substantive police constable much quicker.

As for being a detective, it's not a rank that you get promoted into, rather its a different role for a constable. In some forces you can join as a DC directly (which needs a degree), in others you can't. If you are a PC, you can simply say that you want to take the detective exams and you just do it. If you pass, you get yourself posted to a detective squad as a Trainee Detective Constable (TDC) and once you've shown you're competent, you get made a full DC and that's it. You can do this quite early on, I know people who have become TDCs in their first year as a PC, but I think it's usually wiser to wait a couple of years. It makes you a better detective and you can often pick up skills which make you more valuable as a detective.

Reply 4

bocaj22

3

Original post by Oliver062035

I’m in my final year of Sixth form where I’m studying English Literature , Criminology and ICT. I have my eyes set on joining the police force although I cannot decide if I should choose to go to university or get a joint degree apprenticeship. If I were to get the apprenticeship I’d probably be looking at the one Avon and Somerset are offering whereas if I went to university it could be Exeter, Bristol etc. I aim to achieve ABB in Sixth form and hope that after joining the police I’ll be able to raise through the ranks to become a detective. Personally I feel as if I’d prefer the apprenticeship since I’ve always struggle in standard education and have had to put in much more effort than those around me to achieve the same grades. However if it’s a case that going to study at university would give me a 100% better chance I might be willing to give it a go. advice will be greatly appreciated because I’m incredibly conflicted. (I’m not sure if this question fits into ‘Applications and UCAS’, if not please tell me which option I should select.

I don’t think going to Uni would necessarily give you a better chance. When I left College, I wanted to join the Police, but options were limited at that time, so went to Uni, thinking this would help. I am now in process of joining the Police IPLDP scheme, no degree required, two schemes IPLDP Detective or Police Constable. Having chosen PC route, after 2 year probation, you can then choose a specialised career path, ie traffic, dog handling, etc. The frustrating thing is not all forces offer the same schemes, some offer degree holder, some IPLDP, some degree apprenticeship. Have a look at your preferred locations, and given your struggle in general education, maybe worth considering this type of scheme, hybrid Police learning & working, no Uni debt!

Go to Uni to study criminology or go for a joint degree apprenticeship in the police?

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