I’d prefer to join the Essex police because it’s closer to the area I want to live.

Now I'm only 18, I'm well aware that it’s hard to get in the police force, and there is a chance I won’t get in… but I plan to make it in the long run anyway. My CV is here if you want to see it. Here's what one police officer said:

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18 is young. Most forces prefer candidates a little bit older and with more experience. That's not to say you won't get in at your age - you just might - but simply to point out that your option of waiting for 3 years whilst being resident in the UK would do you no harm at all.

If you don't fancy more study then consider some other work over here. A degree would only make any difference if you were considering accelerated promotion and are aiming for the higher ranks. Of course going to University is a very enjoyable way to pass 3 years but it's not everything.

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So, the thing is, I want to make it to senior ranks in the force and for that you need a degree, it doesn’t specify what degree. I'm not sure if I want to go to university at all. University is free in Ireland – as in no fees. Trouble is, the only degree I've been offered here is one in Archaeology and Geology. I could apply to UK universities under clearing…but that will cost money big time, and I just don't like the idea of having to take out a student loan.

I planned to do a degree part time with the police force, but, you know maybe I'm missing out on a really important part of my life – university… I just want independence now and a bit of cash in my pocket. I want to lead my own life. I want to move to the UK now anyway. But University is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, but I'm sick of being broke as a teenager, I don’t want to be 21 and still broke. I want to earn money and be able to spend it.

Anyways here's a question I posed to a police officer:

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I’m just curious as to whether I can perhaps pursue a degree that could advance my career with the police part time while I’m serving with the police. Is that possible?

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His reply:

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Yes, it's possible. I know of several senior officers who have taken degrees or masters courses whilst in the job, generally in some kind of criminal psychology or, more commonly, public service management. However, it would put you under a great deal of pressure. The job is a 40+ hour week as it is and adding part-time study on top of that really does use up your time. You need room to have a life out of the job!

Currently the fast-track promotion scheme requires a degree before you can start it and then there will still be fairly intensive study to do to get through the promotion exams. If you join without a degree you'll be studying for one at the same time as going through your probation which is in itself a lot of hard work. That will make your first years in the job really hard work.

If the higher ranks are where your ambitions lie I'd suggest it would be best to get at least a bachelor's degree out of the way before you join - especially in your circumstances where you have a bit of time to kill anyway. I appreciate your reservations about getting yourself into debt and there's no doubt you're going to find money tight once you start in the police, but that's short-term. The pay increases quite quickly in the first few years.

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He recommended a “bullshit social science course” or some degree with relevance to police work.

I don't know what to do, and I just want some advice, cos I haven't really got anyone to help me…please guys, just take a bit of time.