Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship
Join the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and from day one, you’ll earn a real salary, train as an officer and gain real policing experience.
Over three years, you’ll work as a police officer in a real team, building frontline experience while studying towards a fully funded degree in Professional Policing Practice. You’ll learn from experienced officers, develop the skills to handle whatever comes your way, and earn a starting salary of £43,689.
By the end of the programme, you’ll be a qualified police constable with the skills, confidence and experience needed to progress in your policing career.
You can also apply to join the Met on the Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP), a two-year programme which does not include a degree.
What’s it like day to day?
As a Met police officer, no two days are ever the same. Across the three years that you’re training, you’ll work real shifts in a real team, respond to crime, and help keep London safe – all while you study for your degree. You’ll take on different policing roles, helping you to advance your skill set, enhance your knowledge and gain valuable frontline experience at the same time as you gain your professional qualifications.
In the course of a week, you might:
- respond to emergencies
- support victims of crime
- investigate offences and gather evidence
- help tackle organised crime, drugs and gangs
- build case files and present evidence in court
You’ll also complete study periods as well as operational and academic assessments from time to time, including exams, essays and presentations.
Pay and Benefits
You’ll earn a starting salary of £43,689, including allowances, from the day you join. Over the three years, you will receive annual pay increases.
Once you qualify as a Police Constable, your salary could then increase each year up to a maximum of £62,094. If you progress to Sergeant, you could earn more than £65,000.
Alongside your salary, you’ll gain a fully funded BSc (Hons) degree in Professional Policing Practice and have access to a range of benefits, including:
- 22 days paid holiday each year, rising to 30 days the longer you work at the Met
- free travel across London and discounted travel up to 70 miles outside of London
- a generous public sector pension
- eligibility for a Blue Light Card, with discounts at shops, restaurants, gyms and attractions
- free physiotherapy
- free eyesight tests
- on-site gums at Met buildings across London
- free or discounted sports facilities for you and your family
- access to a dedicated employee discount website
Apprenticeship Training
Your initial training will consist of 17 weeks at our apprenticeship training centre in Hendon, where you will undertake essential training and get used to working different shift patterns.
This initial training includes a 4-day introduction to the Met, followed by structured learning covering:
- policing, the law and police powers
- protection, vulnerability and public protection
- policing communities, response policing and investigating crime
- police leadership, coaching and mentoring
- officer safety training and emergency life support
- safeguarding
- crime investigation and operational policing skills
You will spend the following ten weeks on Street Duty – putting your training into practice as you work in a real police team based out in a London borough.
Throughout your street duties, you will work with dedicated Tutor Constables who are experienced police officers there to support your first weeks out on the job.
In your second year on the apprenticeship, you’ll spend most of your time working as a police officer out in a borough team.
Within the year, you’ll attend Middlesex University (based in Colindale) at two different times for three weeks each time.
In your third year, you’ll continue to grow your frontline experience.
You’ll also undertake research in an area of policing you’re interested in and present your research through an academic poster and a short briefing.
On completion of your third year, you will be a fully qualified Police Constable and have gained a BSc Degree in Professional Policing.
Career development and policing specialisms
Throughout your Met career, you will have access to ongoing training, mentoring and promotion opportunities.
Once you’ve qualified through the apprenticeship, you’ll continue to grow your frontline experience and could go on to apply for roles in areas such as:
- Neighbourhood policing
- Emergency Response
- Intelligence
- Territorial Support Group (TSG)
- Roads and transport policing
- Public order
Opportunities will depend on your experience, performance and any additional training or selection requirements.
Who we are looking for
London is one of the most diverse cities in the world. That’s why in the Met we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who are committed to making a difference for the communities we serve.
We are looking for people who share our values of integrity, courage, accountability, respect and empathy. People who don’t run away from problems but rather have the courage and grit to take them head-on. Read more about our principles and values.
Policing is a 24-hour job, and that means once you join, you’ll need to work shifts, including through the night and at weekends.
In addition to the above, you’ll also need to meet our standard eligibility criteria:
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- English Language GCSE at Grade 4 / Grade C or above (or an equivalent Level 2 English qualification). We will also consider an equivalent overseas English Language qualification.
- 2 A Levels or a Level 3 qualification. This could include:
- two A levels at grade E or above (in any subjects)
- a Level 3 qualification (in any subject), such as a T Level, BTEC, an International Baccalaureate Diploma or NVQ
- equivalent training or work experience
- relevant service with the police, Met Volunteer Police Cadets or Armed Forces
You can still apply if you’re working towards your qualifications. Equivalent overseas qualifications will also be considered.
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You must be 18 or older to join us, but you can apply when you are 17.
Typically, the upper age limit is 57.
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You don’t need to be an athlete, but you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness to meet the demands of policing.
As part of the application process, you will need to complete a fitness assessment known as the bleep test.
Find out more about the fitness assessment and application process
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Some medical conditions can prevent you from being able to cope with the physical and mental demands of the job. Government medical standards set out full details on illnesses, injuries and disorders that will affect your ability to work as a police officer.
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You must have lived continuously in the UK for the past three years.
If you’re not a UK national, you must also be living in the UK without restrictions and have indefinite leave to remain.
Exceptions may apply if you’ve been serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.
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If you’ve got a tattoo, you’ll need to tell us about it when you apply. You can’t join the Met Police if you have tattoos that are on your face or the sides or front of your neck (above the collar line). You also can’t join if you have any tattoos that are deemed offensive or discriminatory.
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Whilst you can submit applications to more than one police force, you can only start the online assessment with one force.
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Everyone who joins the Met must pass vetting checks. This helps maintain our high standards and ensures people in positions of trust are suitable for their role.
Application Process
The entire recruitment process typically takes up to 12 months. The process includes five key steps:
- Step one: Online registration and application form
- Step two: National Sift – including online tests.
- Step three: Online assessments and competency interview
- Step four: Face-to-face assessment – including medical and fitness tests.
- Step five: Pre-employment checks and security vetting.
If you’re successful, we’ll make you a formal offer of employment and agree your joining date.
For the PCDA, you will join as part of a group cohort and there is one intake per month.
Find out more about the application process
