Financial support to police officers and staff for studies

Since it was introduced in 2016, our bursary scheme has offered around 350 police officers and staff help towards their academic studies. 

This year the College received 164 applications and made offers to 79 students, whose studies are now underway.

Of those awarded to police officers, three out of four bursaries went to police constables and sergeants. A quarter of the bursaries were awarded to police staff. Most bursaries were awarded to people studying at postgraduate level, with 14 going to undergraduate students.

Subjects being studied include police leadership and management, applied investigations, psychology, criminology and cyber security. 

The scheme gives officers and staff the chance to apply for up to £2,000 per year towards their tuition fees for two years of study (£4,000 maximum).

Chief Constable Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said:

I would like to congratulate all of this year’s successful bursary scheme applicants and wish them the best of luck with their studies.

I’m extremely proud that the College provides a scheme which supports the professional development of police officers and staff at all ranks and is used by people ranging from those who have not studied since school through to some working towards PhDs.

It is particularly pleasing that the majority of bursaries were awarded to those working on the frontline and that the areas they are studying will provide learning which will benefit policing.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing

Temporary Detective Sergeant Maya Alayli-White from British Transport Police has received a bursary to support her BA in Applied Investigations at the University of Sunderland.

She said: "For experienced police officers, the bursary provides a great opportunity to help fund higher education study at any stage of your career."

Jemima Cholmondeley-Smith, an Accredited Financial Investigator from Bedfordshire Police (previously Lincolnshire Police), is doing a Master’s in Economic Crime at the University of Portsmouth. The programme includes specialist modules on countering fraud and corruption, and money laundering.

Jemima used her prior force accreditation as a specialist fraud investigator to reduce her period of study, and therefore her university fees, making studying more affordable.   

Skills, experience and learning from policing can also be transferred to academic study.  More than a third of the 2021 bursary applicants told the College they may consider using Recognition of Prior Experience and Learning (RPL).

Sergeant Liam Cahill from the Metropolitan Police is using the bursary to support his studies for a PhD in Policing, Crime and Security.

He said: "I hope my research will support the continued development of capability within the field of internet, intelligence and open source investigation."

Of those who reported their gender or ethnicity, 13% of bursary recipients were from minority ethnic groups and 39% were female officers or members of staff.

Applications for the College of Policing bursary reopen again in spring 2022. Find out more about our bursary scheme. If you have any queries or need further information, please email [email protected].