Funding to support higher education study.
The 2023 bursary scheme has now closed.
The College of Policing bursary offers a maximum of £4,000 towards two years of course fees at higher education level – for example, studying for a BSc/BA, master's degree or PhD. The course needs to be with a recognised UK academic institution and must include a research component.
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Bursary recipients 2023
Our bursary scheme has helped towards the academic studies of more than 500 police officers and staff since it was introduced in 2016.
In 2023, we made offers to 80 students. Most of these students have already begun their studies at more than 50 higher education institutes across the country. Subjects being studied include:
- criminology and criminal justice
- computer science
- cyber security
- forensic psychology
- leadership and management
Since 2016, almost 60% of bursary recipients have been police constables and sergeants, and a quarter have been police staff. Almost a third of bursary recipients had not studied at higher education level before.
Iain Bailey
Iain is a detective sergeant working in a specialist crime role at the Metropolitan Police Service. He had always been interested in academic study and a colleague suggested the master’s programme on covert investigation and specialist intelligence. The course captured his interest as it focused on his operational experience in policing.
As Iain did not have an under-graduate degree, he explored the possibility of using the recognition of prior learning scheme. After discussing his experience and training with the faculty staff at Liverpool John Moores University, they suggested he start at master’s level.
Looking back, I wish I had applied for a course sooner. But receiving the bursary and a Knights of the Round Table (KORT) Award means that things have worked out at the right time, the stars have aligned! Having the bursary means that I feel I have the support of the College and my university when I get started with my studying.
Emma Wood
Emma is a child protection case support officer from West Midlands Police. Last year she completed a diploma for access to higher education. This gave her some insight into academic writing in preparation for a part-time master's in advanced child protection at the University of Kent, which she started in January 2023.
After leaving college I didn’t choose the higher education route as I didn’t know what I wanted to do and didn’t feel there was a course that suited me. I joined the police full time and have been working in child protection since 2014, which I have become passionate about. I got to the point in life where I had my career and I had a child, and I felt like it was the right time to look into study.
William Bergstroem
William is a community cohesion advisor from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. He started his PhD at the University of Surrey two years ago, which focuses on hate crime and genocide. He hopes that his research will inform approaches to reducing hate crime. After completing his master’s research, William identified a gap in the evidence and wanted to study at doctoral level to fill this gap.
I think with more people undertaking academic research, and with the work of the College of Policing and National Police Library, research evidence is starting to become more embedded.
William has also received our Jenny Kodz Memorial Award, which provides an additional £2,000 for applicants who have demonstrated energy and determination to make a difference to diversity in policing.
