Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship 2026 – London Met Police | £42,210 Starting Salary
Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) – Metropolitan Police Service
If you’re looking for a career in policing that combines paid employment, professional training and a fully funded university degree, the Metropolitan Police Service’s Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) is an opportunity worth knowing about.
The 2026 campaign offered 200 Police Constable positions across London, with successful candidates employed as police officers while completing a three-year apprenticeship leading to a BSc degree in Professional Policing Practice.
Important: The vacancy shown in the original Metropolitan Police recruitment portal is now closed to applications. The information below is provided as a detailed job and career reference. Future PCDA campaigns may open separately.
Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship – Job Details
| Job information | Details |
|---|---|
| Employer | Metropolitan Police Service |
| Role | Police Constable – PCDA |
| Vacancy reference | 22058 |
| Number of vacancies | 200 |
| Location | Multiple locations across London |
| Contract | Police Officer – Subject to posting |
| Working pattern | Full-time |
| Hours | 40 hours per week |
| Training route | Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship |
| Degree | BSc Professional Policing Practice |
| University partner | Middlesex University |
| Starting salary | £42,210 including allowances |
| Salary after 3 years | £47,475 including allowances |
| Potential salary after 5 years | Up to £59,994 |
| Application status | Closed |
What Is the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship?
The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) is a three-year vocational training route designed for people who want to begin a career as a police officer while working towards a university degree.
The programme is fully funded by the Metropolitan Police Service and delivered in partnership with Middlesex University.
Unlike a traditional university course where students study before entering employment, PCDA recruits are employed as police officers from day one.
You’ll spend much of your training working alongside your team and gaining practical frontline policing experience while completing the academic elements of the programme.
At the end of the apprenticeship, successful candidates work towards a BSc in Professional Policing Practice.
Salary: How Much Does a Met Police Constable Earn?
One of the major attractions of this police officer apprenticeship is the combination of paid employment and degree-level training.
The advertised starting salary was:
£42,210 per year, including allowances.
According to the vacancy information, salary can increase to:
- £47,475 after three years, subject to satisfactory completion of probation.
- Up to £59,994 after five years, depending on progression and annual increases.
This means candidates can earn a salary while gaining professional policing experience and completing their degree.
Where Are the Police Constable Jobs Located?
The campaign covered multiple locations across London.
The listed command units included:
- Central South Command Unit
- Central West Command Unit
- Central East Command Unit
- Central North Command Unit
- East Area Command Unit
- North Area Command Unit
- North East Area Command Unit
- North West Area Command Unit
- South East Area Command Unit
- South Area Command Unit
- South West Area Command Unit
- West Area Command Unit
Successful officers are subject to posting based on the requirements of the Metropolitan Police Service.
What Could You Do as a Metropolitan Police Officer?
Policing offers a wide range of potential career paths.
The Metropolitan Police highlights opportunities that can include working with specialist teams involving:
- Police dogs and horses
- Cybercrime
- Financial investigation
- Marine policing
- Domestic abuse and victim support
- Frontline response
- Criminal investigations
- Community policing
Your initial role may provide the foundation for progressing into specialist areas later in your career.
For candidates who enjoy problem-solving, teamwork, communication and working in challenging environments, policing can provide a long-term career with opportunities for development and promotion.
PCDA Academic Requirements
Applicants were required to meet specific academic criteria.
You must have a Level 2 qualification in English Language, such as:
- GCSE English Language at grade C or above; or
- GCSE grades 4–9; or
- An accepted equivalent overseas qualification.
Applicants must also hold or be working towards:
- Two A Levels at grade E or above in any subject; or
- A Level 3 qualification.
The vacancy states that recognised equivalents, including qualifications such as an International Baccalaureate Diploma or NVQ, may also be considered.
What If You Don’t Have a Level 3 Qualification?
The Metropolitan Police also listed several routes through which relevant experience may be considered.
These included:
Professional experience
At least 18 months of professional experience in a role requiring skills such as:
- Leadership
- Decision-making
- Risk assessment
- Specialist knowledge
Other qualifying experience listed included:
- 12 months’ service as a Special Constable with independent patrol status.
- 12 months’ service as a Police Community Support Officer or Designated Detention Officer after successfully completing probation.
- 24 months as a member of the Metropolitan Police Volunteer Police Cadets.
- Armed Forces service where the applicant has completed the minimum term of service and has an exemplary reference.
Applicants should always check the requirements for the latest campaign because entry criteria can change.
Age Requirement
Candidates who were 17 years old when submitting an application could progress through the recruitment process.
However, candidates could not begin their training until they were 18 years old.
Nationality and Immigration Requirements
This is an important eligibility requirement for applicants from outside the UK.
The vacancy states that applicants from outside the UK must have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK.
This should not be confused with a standard job advertisement offering visa sponsorship.
Do not assume that this PCDA vacancy provides Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
Applicants should carefully check their immigration status and the latest Metropolitan Police eligibility rules before applying to any future campaign.
Physical Fitness Requirements
Police officer applicants must meet the relevant physical fitness requirements.
Candidates are required to pass the job-related fitness test (JRFT) at the point of entry.
The Metropolitan Police also states that applicants must meet the applicable police eyesight standards agreed by the College of Policing.
Regular exercise and appropriate preparation can help candidates prepare for the physical demands of the recruitment process.
Tattoos and Police Recruitment
Having a tattoo does not automatically mean that you cannot apply.
However, the Metropolitan Police states that certain tattoos may prevent someone from working for the organisation depending on what the tattoo depicts and where it is located on the body.
Candidates should check the latest Met Police guidance if this applies to them.
Criminal Convictions and Cautions
Applicants with criminal convictions or cautions may still be able to apply.
Eligibility depends on factors including the age and nature of the offence.
Candidates should provide accurate information during the recruitment process and should not assume that a previous conviction or caution automatically prevents them from joining.
Values and Professional Standards
The Metropolitan Police highlighted five key values for candidates:
- Integrity
- Courage
- Accountability
- Respect
- Empathy
The organisation is seeking people who can demonstrate these qualities while working with colleagues and communities.
Applicants should also understand that certain memberships of groups or organisations may make an individual ineligible where those affiliations contradict the Met’s values, ethics or commitment to inclusion.
Disability Confident Recruitment
The Metropolitan Police states that it is committed to being an equitable and inclusive employer.
Reasonable adjustments may be available during the recruitment process for disabled applicants and people with long-term conditions.
Applicants who require adjustments are encouraged to provide the relevant information during the application process. The information is treated confidentially.
The police officer entry route still requires candidates to meet the applicable job-related fitness requirements.
Why Consider a Police Apprenticeship?
For someone considering a career in law enforcement, the PCDA model offers several potential advantages.
Earn While You Learn
Instead of completing a conventional university degree without employment, the PCDA combines paid employment with degree-level study.
Fully Funded Degree
The advertised programme was fully funded by the Metropolitan Police Service.
Practical Experience
Candidates spend substantial time gaining practical policing experience rather than relying solely on classroom learning.
Career Progression
Policing provides multiple potential career pathways and opportunities for promotion.
Specialist Opportunities
Experienced officers may eventually pursue specialist areas depending on organisational requirements, performance, qualifications and available opportunities.
Recruitment Process
Candidates applying for a future Metropolitan Police PCDA campaign should expect a structured recruitment process.
This can include assessment and eligibility checks, fitness requirements and other recruitment stages.
Because recruitment procedures and assessment arrangements can change, candidates should always follow the instructions provided by the Metropolitan Police for the specific campaign they are applying to.
After submitting an application, candidates should monitor:
- Their email inbox
- Junk/spam folders
- The recruitment portal
- Official Metropolitan Police recruitment communications
Application Status
This particular vacancy is closed.
The original recruitment listing stated that applications were no longer being accepted.
It also indicated that candidates who applied and successfully completed the recruitment stages during that campaign were likely to receive a start date after March 2027.
The Metropolitan Police also warned that application volumes were expected to be high and encouraged candidates to apply early during the campaign.
Important Entry-Route Information
The Met stated that while it aimed to offer candidates their preferred entry route, an entry route could become fully subscribed.
Where this occurred, candidates could potentially be considered for an alternative route depending on their:
- Qualifications
- Skills
- Experience
This means applicants should carefully review all available police officer entry routes rather than focusing exclusively on one programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship paid?
Yes. The advertised PCDA position was a paid police officer role. The starting salary listed for this campaign was £42,210 including allowances.
How long is the PCDA?
The apprenticeship lasts three years.
Do I get a university degree?
The programme leads to a BSc in Professional Policing Practice, delivered in partnership with Middlesex University.
Do I need previous police experience?
Not necessarily. The PCDA is designed as an entry route into policing, although applicants must satisfy the relevant academic, experience and other eligibility requirements.
Can international applicants apply?
The advertised eligibility information states that applicants from outside the UK must have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK. Applicants should check the latest official requirements before applying.
Does the PCDA offer visa sponsorship?
The supplied vacancy information does not advertise Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants should not assume that sponsorship is available and should check the latest official Metropolitan Police eligibility guidance.
What is the starting salary?
The advertised starting salary was £42,210 including allowances.
How much can the salary increase?
The vacancy stated that salary could rise to £47,475 after three years, subject to satisfactory completion of probation, and potentially £59,994 after five years.
Can I apply if I am 17?
You could progress through the recruitment process at 17, but you would need to be 18 before starting training.
Is the vacancy currently open?
No. Vacancy reference 22058 is closed to applications. Candidates interested in this career route should monitor future Metropolitan Police recruitment campaigns.
Final Takeaway
The Metropolitan Police Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship offers an unusual combination of paid employment, frontline experience and a fully funded university degree.
The 2026 campaign advertised 200 positions, a £42,210 starting salary, 40-hour full-time employment and a three-year route towards a BSc in Professional Policing Practice.
Although this particular campaign is now closed, people interested in becoming Metropolitan Police officers should monitor future recruitment campaigns and carefully review the latest eligibility requirements before applying.
Always verify salary, eligibility, immigration requirements, application deadlines and recruitment procedures against the latest official Metropolitan Police information.
Source
Metropolitan Police Service recruitment information, vacancy reference 22058 – 06-2026 Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA).
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. Vacancy details, salary, eligibility criteria, recruitment processes and entry routes may change. The specific vacancy covered above is closed, so applicants should use the official Metropolitan Police careers website when a new campaign becomes available.