Degree Holder Entry Programmes

Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP)

If you have a degree or are in your final year of study for a degree you can apply to our Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP).

The two-year programme will provide degree holders (in any subject area) with the opportunity to learn as they earn £28,551 - £46,044. You’ll be an officer from day one and will also gain a fully-funded Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice with Northumbria University.

Unlike more traditional qualifications, the DHEP entry route is a vocational programme that focuses on practical learning and is specifically tailored for a career in policing. You’ll learn how policing works in theory so that when you encounter practical situations in real life, you’ll be prepared and know what to do.

Eligibility criteria

• You must be at least 17 to apply and 18 at the time of appointment.
• Applicants should be British citizens, or passport holders from a full EU Member State. You can also apply if you're a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national who is resident in the UK with indefinite leave to remain.
• You must have lived in the UK for three continuous years immediately prior to application.
• You must have previously achieved an Undergraduate or Bachelor's Degree Level 6 with the following classifications-Honours Level Degree (either First Class honours, Upper Second Class Honours, Lower Second Class Honours and Third Class Honours) or an Ordinary Degree (not in Professional Policing Practice). A Master's Degree at Level 7 is also acceptable.
• You must not be a member of the British National Party (BNP) plus other organisations such as Combat 18 or The National Front.
• If you have a criminal record, this doesn't mean you're automatically ineligible; it depends on the nature of your conviction. Please declare any caution or conviction on your application form. Failure to do so will result in failing vetting due to integrity issues.
• You must not be registered bankrupt with outstanding debts, have outstanding County Court Judgements against you, or be subject to a current Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA).
• Tattoos which are offensive, garish, prominent or numerous are not acceptable. Please supply photos and measurements of any tattoos along with your application, as per application guidance.
• You must hold a full manual driving licence prior to commencing with Durham Constabulary.

Detective Constable Degree Holders Entry Programme (DC DHEP)

If you have a degree or are in your final year of study for a degree you can apply to our Detective Constable Entry Programme (DC DHEP). You’ll be an officer from day one and will also gain a fully funded Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice with Northumbria University.

The two-year programme will provide degree holders (in any subject area) with the opportunity to become a detective constable and learn as they earn with a starting Salary: £28,551 - £46,044

Although based on the DHEP curriculum it is a more intense programme. You will join the force as a uniformed police officer and for your first 9 months you will learn the fundamentals of policing, putting what you have learnt into practice on an operational uniform response team.

You will then move onto an investigation team becoming a trainee detective. During this time, you will complete the rest of your Diploma in Professional Policing, as well as, the National Investigators Examination, meeting the Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP2) assessment criteria and complete specialist interview training.

Eligibility criteria

• You must be at least 17 to apply and 18 at the time of appointment.
• Applicants should be British citizens, or passport holders from a full EU Member State. You can also apply if you're a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national who is resident in the UK with indefinite leave to remain.
• You must have lived in the UK for three continuous years immediately prior to application. 
• Have previously achieved an Undergraduate or Bachelor's Degree Level 6 with the following classifications-Honours Level Degree (either First Class honours, Upper Second Class Honours, Lower Second Class Honours and Third Class Honours) or an Ordinary Degree (not in Professional Policing Practice). A Masters Degree at Level 7 is also acceptable.
• Not be a member of the British National Party (BNP) plus other organisations such as Combat 18 or The National Front.
• If you have a criminal record, this doesn't mean you're automatically ineligible; it depends on the nature of your conviction. Please declare any caution or conviction on your application form. Failure to do so will result in failing vetting due to integrity issues.
• You must not be registered bankrupt with outstanding debts, have outstanding County Court Judgements against you, or be subject to a current Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA).
• Tattoos which are offensive, garish, prominent or numerous are not acceptable. Please supply photos and measurements of any tattoos along with your application, as per application guidance.
• You must hold a full manual driving licence prior to commencing with Durham Constabulary.

How to apply

Check our vacancies page for details on current recruitment.