Professional Qualification in Probation (PQIP) BA (Hons)/GradDip/DipHE

Professional Qualification in Probation (PQIP) BA (Hons)/GradDip/DipHE

Delivered by experienced academics, this course meets the professional development needs of applicants who wish to qualify as probation officers in the community justice sector.

Entry Criteria
Structure and assessment
Facilities and features
Opportunities and careers
Take your next steps
Contact us

Overview

DMU is currently contracted by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to deliver the academic component of the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) for the East of England and Kent, Surrey and Sussex Probation regions.

The PQiP is the only route to becoming a probation officer. Combining vocational training with higher education study, the length of the PQiP programme will be dependent on your previous education attainment.

Graduate Programmes 15 – 21 months

You need to have a level 5 qualification (or higher)

The Non Graduate Route 27 months

You need to have a level 3 qualification (or higher).

See regarding these HMPPS sponsored recruitment pathways.

DMU currently offers self funded pathways if you are interested in training to be a Probation Officer, through a flexible approach and various entry points depending on your level of qualification and experience. DMUs programme consists of assessed knowledge and awards at the following levels:

Level 4 Access Pathway
Level 5 Required Knowledge Modules
Level 5 Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) in Community Justice

Please check the Entry Requirements for each level to identify where you think you should start your community justice pathway. For all pathways, please complete the application form and submit it to admissions@dmu.ac.uk and wait to hear from us to confirm your pathway before making a payment to our online store.

Your application will be assessed based on the information you provide on the application form, including your evidence of prior learning; offers of a place on the community justice pathways may be conditional on you completing elements of lower levels in the scheme.

Key features

Our programme draws on the practice and teaching expertise of our academic staff to deliver exciting and popular community justice learning pathways.
Study flexibly via distance learning and fit your learning in alongside personal and work commitments.
Benefit from a Personal Tutor who will provide both academic and pastoral support as part of your learning journey to support personal development.
Our Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach offers a diverse range of teaching and learning styles, ensuring that different learning needs are met.
The curriculum has been developed alongside HMPPS to ensure it is covering relevant and contemporary probation practice.
Develop the skills and attributes needed to apply for Probation Officer training through HMPPS.
Develop practical skills to work as a probation services officer (PSO) while you study and become a newly qualified probation officer when you complete the programme.

Funding

Funding may be available for candidates employed in the community justice sector, through His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service or another employer. If you intend to fund your studies through sponsorship from your employer, please ensure that you have confirmed this arrangement prior to enrolling on your programme. You will be asked to provide evidence to confirm your sponsorship at the point of enrolment, If you are unable to do so, you will be asked to pay any fees related to your programme.

For further information please contact admissions lead
Daniella Nudd
pqip@dmu.ac.uk
0116 250 6181

Entry criteria

Entry Criteria

Learners can enter at one of 3 levels depending on previous qualifications and experience.

Level 4 entry
Learners without any formal qualifications will usually enter the qualification at level 4. Learners will need to have experience of working with challenging people.
Level 5 entry
Learners entering at this point will be required to take 4 modules covering the required content. There will be an additional 40 credit module available for students progressing from level 4 leading to the award of DipHE in Community Justice.
Level 6 entry
Learners with a degree or DipHE are eligible to study the level 6 qualification. Learners wishing to join at this level should note that they are required to be in post on the POiP programme with HMPPS. For further details about Trainee recruitment see

Those with a relevant degree that does not cover the required 4 modules can study the content they require on a module by module basis.

Candidates may need to complete the Gateway Assessment Service form in order to determine the level at which they join the programme.

Structure and assessment

The four level 5 Required Knowledge modules are:

The Criminal Justice System
Penal Policy Punishment
Crime and Criminal Behaviour
Rehabilitation

These modules are needed before candidates can study for the level 6 BA/GD programme in Community Justice which leads to the professional qualification giving eligibility to apply to work as a probation officer.

To study for these modules students will need to demonstrate that they are able to study at this level by way of possessing a BA or higher degree.

For those not possessing any relevant formal qualifications we have created a Level 4 Assessment giving Advance Standing to the level 5 DipHE. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have experience of working with challenging behaviour. Candidates might for example hold the VQ3 in Probation Practice but candidates who have experience to draw upon to complete the assessment will be considered on an individual basis.

If you do not possess a BA but do for example hold a Level 4 qualification such as a Certificate in Community Justice then you will need to complete a Diploma in Higher Education which will consist of the 4 required Level 5 Knowledge modules plus a 5th module Adult Learning and Reflective Practice. Possession of this Level 5 award will enable you to progress to the BA.

If you would like to self-fund for one or more of the four Required Knowledge modules, ahead of the HMPPS recruitment drive, you are still able to study these with us. Please complete the Community Justice Learning Application form and send it to us at admissions@dmu.ac.uk with evidence of your prior learning so that we can confirm which modules are required.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

This is a distance learning programme which means that all of the teaching and tutorials, are delivered and facilitated online.

Teaching and learning

You will access your learning through a wide range of technology that will enable you to access information, develop knowledge and communicate with students and programme staff. These include the university’s online learning system – Learning Zone and MS Teams

Learners will engage in tutorials as well as accessing a range of distance learning resources, for example interactive module materials, module readings and exercises, tasks and activities intended to develop the learner’s knowledge and understanding. Learners will be able to contact programme staff by telephone, MS Teams and email.

A key element of our delivery is our use of Interactive Study Guides (ISGs) which accompany all modules. ISGs cover a full exploration of the key learning for the module and reflecting the different skills and criticality required as learners progress through the academic levels.

DMU’s Community Justice Learning (CJL) team consists of experienced practitioners and teachers who have successfully designed and delivered probation training for over 24 years.

Several academic staff within the team identify as ‘Pracademics’ with recent practitioner and management experience within The Probation Service. This experience is transferrable in supporting learners and enriching the authenticity of the learning provided.

Facilities and features

Health and Life Sciences facilities

Substantial investment in Health and Life Sciences has developed our teaching and learning facilities to help you develop your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom.

The 19th century Hawthorn Building has facilities designed to replicate current practice in health and life sciences, including contemporary analytical chemistry and formulation laboratories, audiology booths and nursing and midwifery clinical skills suites.

Purpose-built clinical skills areas allow you to apply theory to practice in a safe environment. You will receive guidance and support from staff, to ensure that your practical ability in the clinical skills suites is accurate.

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available.

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our , e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose.

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub.

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live , online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our , and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

Distance learning

The Postal Loan Request Service for Distance Learners

Is available to provide learners with items from the DMU Library book stock, to their home address in the UK.

Our Learning Services team support the development of learner’s academic skills, including:

Academic writing and study skills - CLaSS (Centre for Learning and Study Support)
Finding information and referencing - Librarians
Learning technologies & digital skills, such as Learning Zone, Turnitin, Office365, mind mapping software etc. - Student Digital Skills Support
Assistive Technology and disability support
Special Collections & Archives

Studiosity

Learners can use this service for a one-to-one live chat to help them plan an assignment or they can upload a file for language writing feedback within 24 hours.

Opportunities and careers

Graduate careers

Students who complete the Required Knowledge Modules or the Graduate Diploma with us are eligible to apply for posts as a probation officer. This could then progress to future specialist roles and managerial roles within The Probation Service

Qualification as a Probation Officer via the PQiP programme would support the future application for the Masters in Criminal and Community Justice Leadership which is a DMU programme designed to prepare graduates for taking up senior leadership appointments across the Prison Service, Probation Service, Police Force, Youth Justice and the third sector. Completion of the Masters ensures that graduates have the knowledge and skills to work across any or all of these areas as part of their career progression.

Take your next steps

Nine halls of residence and around 2,300 rooms, all of which are within easy walking distance of the campus.

Run by students for students, DSU offers more than 150 societies and almost 40 different sports clubs for you to get involved in.

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