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In addition to the general eligibility requirements to join us as a police officer, those wishing to do so via the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) route must also have one of the following in order to meet both the academic requirements and those of the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA):
and
Candidates must have a level 2 qualification (GCSE or equivalent) in English and maths in order to enrol on the apprenticeship programme. Please note, we can only accept the actual certificate or a ‘Certified Statement of Results’, which can be ordered directly from the exam board.
If you do not hold a GCSE in English or maths you can obtain via a college course. The links below provide more information on each college and the courses they offer:
Furness College
Lakes College West Cumbria
Carlisle College
Kendal College
A review of a candidate's professional training or work experience, which will include military, PCSO and special constable experience and work based practical skills, such as problem solving and customer service, will be considered if a candidate does not have the required UCAS points.
You must also:
If you have a criminal record, this doesn't mean you're automatically ineligible; it depends on the nature of your conviction. Please declare any caution or conviction on your application form, failure to do so will result in failing vetting due to integrity issues.
You may apply to more than one police force at a time.
As well as meeting the above criteria, to be eligible to undertake the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship you must not be:
You are eligible to start the PCDA programme if you have less than four weeks to completion of an existing DfE-funded course.
If you are unsure if own circumstances will have an impact on you becoming a police officer via the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship programme, please contact our recruitment team.