College bursaries awarded for academic studies in 2023

Our bursary scheme has supported the academic studies of more than 500 police officers and staff since it was introduced in 2016. We've made offers to 80 students this year, to support professional development and increase evidence-based knowledge and capability in policing. 

Our bursary recipients come from across all 43 Home Office forces, as well as the British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police and the National Crime Agency. Of the people who have been awarded funding for their studies since 2016:

• 60% are police constables and sergeants
• 25% are members of police staff
• 15% are at inspector rank or above
• almost a third had not studied at higher education level before

Studies are already underway for most of these students 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

For people without higher education qualifications, workplace skills and experience can contribute towards a qualification using our recognition of prior learning (RPL) scheme.

Iain Bailey is a detective sergeant working in a specialist crime role at the Metropolitan Police Service. Iain had always been interested in academic study. He did not have an undergraduate degree, but his policing experience meant he could access higher education using the RPL scheme. Iain is now studying a master’s programme on covert investigation and specialist intelligence at Liverpool John Moores University.

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.

Detective Sergeant Iain Bailey, Metropolitan Police Service

For Emma Wood, a diploma gave her access to higher education and insight into academic writing. Now, with support from our bursary scheme, she is studying for a part-time master's degree in advanced child protection at the University of Kent.

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.

Emma Wood, Child Protection Case Support Officer, West Midlands Police

William Bergstroem is a community cohesion advisor from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. He began his PhD at the University of Surrey two years ago – which focuses on hate crime and genocide – after seeing a gap in the evidence.

In addition to receiving bursary funding, William is the third recipient of our Jenny Kodz Memorial Award. This award is for applicants who have demonstrated energy and determination to make a difference to diversity in policing. It provides recipients with an additional £2,000 to further support their studies through topping up fees, funding development opportunities or buying study materials. The award is made in memory of our colleague Jenny, who passed away in 2021. Jenny was a diligent and well-respected social researcher, with a particular interest in improving diversity in policing.

I am humbled to receive the Jenny Kodz Award and hope that my research influences practice relating to hate crime in line with some of Jenny's research interests.

William Bergstroem, Community Cohesion Advisor, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

Applications for our bursary scheme reopen in spring 2024.

About our bursary scheme