2-year graduate entry route for applicants with an existing undergraduate degree in any subject. Independent, source-led guide.
Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).
The Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) is the 2-year graduate entry route into UK policing. It is open to applicants who hold any undergraduate degree at minimum 2:2 (some forces require 2:1). The programme combines operational deployment as a paid constable with academic study leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice.
On successful completion the officer is awarded the Postgraduate Diploma and confirmed as a substantive constable. Constable pay-point progression continues from there.
Most forces accept any undergraduate degree at 2:2 minimum. Some forces stipulate 2:1, and some have a preference for certain degree subjects (e.g. social sciences, criminology) without making them mandatory. The 2:2/2:1 grade requirement should be the published threshold, not a discretionary one. Check the specific force.
DHEP officers enter on the constable on-appointment pay rate (£31,164 national in 2025/26, higher with London or South East allowances). Pay progression follows the standard constable scale. Tuition is force-funded — no course fees to pay. See our constable pay page.
If you already hold a degree, DHEP is usually the natural choice — shorter, you keep your existing qualification, and the academic load is somewhat lighter (postgraduate rather than undergraduate level). If your degree is from many years ago and you'd benefit from the longer, more structured immersion, some forces will allow PCDA instead — ask the recruitment team.
BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.
College of Policing — DHEP
Authoritative source for DHEP structure and entry standards.
Joining the Police — Entry routes
National recruitment hub.