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South Wales Police is committed to providing different entry routes within our Police Staff and Uniformed departments for people who are looking to begin a career within policing.
As well as Apprenticeships, Internships and Graduate programmes offered by departments, there are also opportunities for direct entry into the force.
Entry Route |
Minimum Qualification for entry |
Qualification you will work towards |
Duration of programme |
Find out more |
| Apprenticeship | Level 3 Qualification in any subject* | Degree in Professional Policing | 3 years | Click here to learn more |
| Degree Holder – Police Officer | Level 6 (degree) Qualification in any subject** | Diploma in Professional Policing | 2 years | Click here to learn more |
| Degree Holder - Detective | Level 6 (degree) Qualification in any subject** | Diploma in Professional Policing and NIE qualification | 2 years | Click here to learn more |
* If you do not have a level 3 qualification you can still apply for this role, but you will need to complete a Verbal Reasoning and Calculation Test as part of your application.
** At present the only prohibiting degree for these routes is the Professional Policing Degree. This is because there is a different training course content – those with this degree can apply directly to the Pre-Join Police Officer programme (Professional Policing Degree route) when open.
Entry Route |
Minimum Qualification for entry |
Qualification you will work towards |
Duration of programme |
Find out more |
| Internship programme | Currently studying on a degree course or have graduated within three years* | - | 12 months | Click here to learn more |
| Graduate programme | Currently be studying on a degree course or have graduated within three years** | Department specific professional training courses | 18-24 months | Click here to learn more |
| Summer placement programme | No minimum qualifications required | - | 8 weeks | Click here to learn more |
| Public Service Access Programme |
Level 3 qualification or have relevant professional experience that demonstrates their capabilities. |
- | 6 months | Click here to learn more |
* You can apply for the South Wales Police Internship programme during your second year to complete between your second and third year of study.
** You can apply for the South Wales Police Graduate programme during your third year to complete between after graduation.
You don’t have to join one of our above schemes to join the Police Service. You can use the ‘Direct Entry’ route by applying for live vacancies. We have a wide range of vacancies at a given time suitable for all entry levels. You can visit our live jobs board here.