2028 National Graduate Programme

Register your interest to be the first to know when applications open in January 2027.

For every ambition. Every action. Every change.

If you’re ready to step into a role where your decisions make a real difference to people’s lives and the communities you serve, this is where your journey begins.

As a Times Top 100 Graduate Employer, our two-year programme is designed to train and develop graduates from any degree discipline who are committed to building public trust and confidence in policing.

You don’t need any prior policing knowledge or experience to apply. What matters most is that your motivations align with our mission and that you’re driven to make a meaningful impact.

The Role

You can apply to our National Graduate Programme when you are in your final year of study or have already graduated. Our programme offers opportunities across four policing specialisms. These can include:

• Neighbourhood

• Detective

• Counter Terrorism

• Economic Crime

Why Police Now?

• Earn a starting salary of £32,256 - £43,689 (depending on force location), paid from day one at your residential training academy.

• In the neighbourhood specialism, you have the opportunity to complete a four-week internal attachment or external secondment in your second year.

• Receive dedicated support from a Performance and Development Coach throughout the two years and guidance with promotion and career progression, beyond the programme.

• Gain access to a national peer network of over 3,700 officers across police forces in England and Wales.

Benefits

• Annual leave: Start with a minimum of 22 days per year, plus public holidays, rising to 30 days with length of service.

• Work/life balance: Policing isn’t a typical 9–5. Varied shift patterns can offer flexibility and the freedom to make the most of your time outside work.

• Job security: Policing offers long-term stability with a permanent contract of employment.

• Pension: Automatic enrolment in the Police Pension Scheme, recognising and rewarding long-term service and dedication to the public.

Eligibility

To apply for our programme, you must:

• Hold a First, 2:1 or 2.2 in any undergraduate degree from a UK university (or equivalent from a non-UK university) and have completed all education by the programme start date (March 2028). This includes part-time or distance learning.

• Be a UK national, or a non-UK national with the legal right to work in the UK without restrictions. If you apply to join Counter Terrorism, you’ll need to be a UK National. In approved circumstances dual nationals (of which one element is British) may also be considered.

• You’ll need to have resided in the UK continuously for the past three years, at least. If you apply to join Counter Terrorism, you’ll need to have resided in the UK continuously for ten years.

• Hold a valid UK driving licence, except if you are applying to join a London police force.