Eligibility Criteria - Evidence Uploader - Key Matters

Phase Deadline: The Evidence Upload phase will close on 25th March 2026. 


Our check of your eligibility to join the PSNI - Key Matters

As part of the recruitment process, applicants who pass the Initial Selection Test (IST) will be required to provide evidence of how they meet the Education Eligibility and Right to Work Criteria via an online Evidence Uploader. 

Please make sure that you prepare now and have your paperwork in order so that you can demonstrate eligibility during the window of opportunity.

The key message we hope to highlight is the importance of keeping things simple and not being excessive in the evidence you present. The Evidence Uploader process is not intended as an opportunity to log evidence of all your Education / Right to Work qualifications. Keep evidence uploaded to the minimum, or processing of your application may be delayed or rejected. It will serve no purpose to submit evidence over and above that which shows you meet the minimum criteria. We would rather receive one page of evidence that proves you meet the basic criteria, than receive multiple pages that show you exceed the criteria.  

An introduction to the Evidence Uploader is available via How Do I Join? > Online Evidence Uploader.

Key matters to consider when presenting evidence in relation to the PSNI Eligibility Criteria are detailed below. If you follow our preliminary advice you should be able to avoid any pitfalls at this stage of the recruitment process.


(A) Education Evidence:

Applicants are required to have a minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) A*-C, including English Language. If you do not have GCSEs, equivalents can be considered.

For 2026 the certification deadline date (for the completion / certification of qualifications) is 25th March 2026.

If you happen to have an Undergraduate or Masters Degree awarded by a University in the UK / Ireland, it is worth noting that we will accept the Degree (regardless of the subject) as evidence that you meet the PSNI education criteria in full. For those who have a Degree from a UK / Ireland University, this can often be the most efficient means to prove your education eligibility, as all the evidence that's needed will be on one page, i.e. the Degree certificate, as opposed to potentially being on numerous GCSE certificates from different Exam Boards. (Note - We must stress; it is NOT a prerequisite to have a Degree before applying to the PSNI. All candidates will be treated the same regardless what qualifications they present, providing they meet the minimum criteria of having 5 GCSEs [or equivalent] A*-C, including English Language).

Frequently seen issue / scenario

Suggested Resolution

The following evidence (only) presented:

•        Unclear / incomplete / blurred examination certificates / evidence presented

•        Unverifiable school reports, ‘results day’ slips or provisional results presented

•        -OR- Original certificate is lost

Candidate to contact relevant exam board immediately (e.g. CCEA, AQA, City & Guilds, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, SQA, OCN, State Examinations Commission etc. ) and acquire 'Certified Statement of Results' which can be uploaded to the Evidence Uploader. 

It should be noted that some exam boards can take a significant period of time to process such requests. If it is needed, an early approach to the exam board is recommended. If upon contact with the exam board, they suggest their turnaround time may result in you missing our evidence deadline, you may wish to request an expedited service from the exam board (if available). As we have been publicising the Eligibility Evidence review stage and associated deadlines since the outset of recruitment, it is unlikely that deadline extensions will be offered. Nonetheless, at a minimum, engage with the Evidence Uploader and upload whatever evidence is currently in your possession, or at least some relevant evidence. You may wish to include a written note (scanned or photographed and uploaded), highlighting the date the evidence was requested and the date you expect to receive it, and explaining the delay in the exam board turnaround time (please include any proof if available).   

(Our preference is to see evidence in the form of a Certificate or Certified Statement of Results from the exam board, however, School Reports, ‘results slips’, an official email / letter from school noting results, and other similar evidence can be presented, but it must be verifiable [see additional note *1* at the bottom of this page for additional detail]). 

For data security reasons we cannot accept "direct approach" contact from third-party organisations such as exam boards or schools. (That is, the exam board or school should refrain from emailing Deloitte directly about any individual candidate - unless pre-planned agreement is in place). Any contact or evidence must be routed through the PSNI candidate them self, whereby the exam board or school should email/engage with the candidate directly and then the candidate can provide the supporting evidence to Deloitte subsequently.

Education equivalency not proven

E.g. Qualifications presented sit below GCSE (A*-C) standard.

Candidate to research how equivalency can be proven. It is suggested that Candidate starts by visiting:

It is also recommended that the Candidate acquires written evidence from the relevant education / awarding body / school to prove the qualification is equivalent. Written evidence must be verifiable by Deloitte and provided on verifying organisation's headed paper or via organisation's email system.

Candidate is just short of being able to prove equivalency or there is a gap in their academic record that cannot be recorded.

Candidate to investigate options that may allow them to achieve equivalency immediately. E.g., Some local Further Education Colleges offer fast-track Level 2 courses such as Essential Skills Literacy / Communication, or Level 2 Essential Skills ICT. These could be completed to make up any gap.

Being from outside the UK or Ireland

Non-UK / Ireland certificates presented, with no supporting evidence from ENIC. 

(Note that applicants intending to present evidence of qualifications achieved outside of the UK or Ireland, must submit evidence from ENIC that confirms their qualifications are equivalent or higher than that required by PSNI, along with their original certificates).

Candidate to contact UK ENIC in order to acquire 'Statement of Comparability' with (if necessary) Translation Waiver Service: http://www.enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx. Please take action immediately to resolve the matter as the process can take several weeks. 

Check https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/employment-training-and-careers/looking-work for additional information.

Name on certificates does not match the current name of applicant used on application.

Candidate to provide evidence to clarify, such as Marriage Certificate or Civil Partnership Certificate or Change of Name Deed Poll Certificate etc. (Other formal evidence to clarify such matters considered case-by-case).  

Candidate has presented evidence that shows they have more than the equivalent of 5 GCSEs, but there is no evidence of them having an English Language qualification.

Evidence of having standalone English Language qualifications / modules is required, regardless of having any higher or alternative qualifications. Candidate to investigate if they do have a qualification that can be considered. It is worth noting that some higher qualifications, at times, do have module elements that can be considered equivalent. Please check in case you have a module in Literacy or Communication or similar (at RQF Level 2 or higher) listed on your award transcript. 

Note: An Undergraduate Degree or a Masters Degree or a PhD achieved at a UK / Ireland University (regardless of the subject studied) can be accepted as evidence that you meet the PSNI education criteria in full, including the English Language standalone requirement.

TOO MUCH evidence supplied. E.g. Candidate has submitted ALL the qualifications they have.

We strongly discourage you from presenting TOO MUCH evidence. 

Candidates are often tempted to show us every qualification that they have ever achieved. However, that is not what this exercise is intended for. If you fail to adhere to our instruction of keeping the evidence presented to the minimum, you risk your application being rejected. Our preference is to see the absolute minimum number of pages it takes to confirm your eligibility.  

If you have GCSEs / equivalent and also have higher qualifications, we ONLY need to see evidence of the GCSEs in order to assess eligibility. The process is not intended as an opportunity to log evidence of all your qualifications with PSNI. It will serve no purpose to submit evidence over and above that which shows you meet the minimum criteria. Keep evidence uploaded to the minimum, or processing of your application may be delayed. 


(B) Right To Work:

Applicants are required to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK. The check will apply to all applicants. 

UK/Irish Nationals automatically have the right to work permanently in the UK, however, you still need to present evidence. 

The most straightforward means to prove your right to work is to show your Passport or Birth / Adoption Certificate and, if appropriate evidence of your National Insurance Number. (Other options are possible). 

Being from outside the UK or the Republic of Ireland does not stop you from applying to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, although you must be able to provide evidence that you have the right to work permanently in the UK.  

All applicants are asked to note that Driving Licences cannot be used to prove your right to work. We do not need to see evidence of you having a Driving Licence at this time.

Frequently seen issue / scenario

Suggested Resolution

 The following evidence (only) presented:

•        Unclear / incomplete / blurred evidence presented

•        Unverifiable evidence

Candidate to upload clear / complete evidence.

Candidate is presenting a British / Irish passport that is past its expiry date.

This is fine – Do not worry! Out of date passports can be considered. A passport (current or expired) showing the holder is a British or Irish citizen will be accepted. We just need to see evidence of the ‘photo page’. We strongly encourage you to keep things simple and, if you have a British or Irish passport, you provide us with evidence of it only, as this is likely to be the most straightforward means to prove your Right to Work in the UK.

Candidate has dual / multiple citizenship.

Simply select one qualifying passport and upload evidence of it. (Details of your citizenship will not be recorded during this exercise, only whether or not you have the Right to Work in the UK).

Original British / Irish Passport is lost or candidate never possessed a passport. 

For candidates who are British or Irish citizens, you may find that you will be able to acquire your long-form birth certificate quickly. Candidate to contact relevant authority immediately – check the following for more details: NI Direct / Gov.ie. British / Irish citizens can submit their long-form birth certificate + evidence of their UK National Insurance number.

Candidate is presenting a birth or adoption certificate but cannot find their UK National Insurance Number Card.

For British or Irish citizens with no passport; a full birth or adoption certificate issued in the UK or Ireland, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent UK National Insurance number and their name, issued by a government agency or a previous employer can be accepted. A P45, a P60, paperwork from the Jobs and Benefits office / HMRC, a payslip, your plastic National Insurance Card can all be considered in reference to the National Insurance number.

Previously uploaded file has disappeared from the Evidence Uploader.

As part of the Evidence Uploader process, downloading of files occurs regularly. Although this may seem as though the file has disappeared or has been deleted, it simply indicates that the file has been downloaded. Do not duplicate an upload.

Being from outside the UK or Ireland

Non-UK / Ireland Citizen unclear as to how to prove their Right to Work.

For international applicants there are range of means to prove your Right to Work in the UK. In the first instance please consider all of the guidance supplied and upload evidence you believe to satisfy requirements. 

In most cases, the most straightforward means for international applicants is to provide details of your Share Code and we will make the necessary checks.

If however, you require advice, please get in touch with us and we will endeavour to advise you.

For data security reasons we cannot accept "direct approach" email contact from third-party organisations such as the Right to Work Service. If you use the Prove Your Right To Work Service on GOV.UK, please do not have that organisation email us directly. Instead, acquire the Sharecode from them your self and then subsequently upload details of it via your Evidence Uploader link so that we can access it via the Uploader.

Name on evidence does not match the current name of applicant used on application.

Candidate to provide evidence to clarify, such as Marriage Certificate or Civil Partnership Certificate or Change of Name Deed Poll Certificate etc. (Other formal evidence to clarify such matters considered case-by-case).  

TOO MUCH evidence supplied e.g. Candidate has uploaded ALL their identity documents.

We strongly discourage you from presenting TOO MUCH evidence.

It will serve no purpose to submit evidence over and above that which shows you meet the minimum criteria. Keep evidence uploaded to the minimum, or processing of your application may be delayed. In most cases, a simple one-page copy of your passport 'photo-page' is all that we require.  

Candidate is unclear what evidence is required in relation to their complex case or does not have identity documents at hand.

Candidates must engage with the process and upload some evidence to be considered, or your application may be rejected. For applicants with complex cases or no evidence, please get in touch by email (before the deadline) and we will do our best to advise you. Please note however, that we cannot provide intensive individual support and the PSNI cannot sponsor applicants for employment to the role currently on offer. As we have provided forewarning of this Right to Work check before Assessment Centre stage, requests to extend the Right to Work check deadline or to offer exemptions will not be considered. We strongly encourage all applicants to be self-sufficient and only contact us if guidance provided does not provide answers. 

It is important that you provide the necessary evidence during the window of opportunity. Be aware that opportunities to resolve any issues will be limited and strictly time-bound. We encourage all applicants to be self sufficient when preparing and presenting evidence. After IST, we will not be in a position to engage in email exchanges discussing the acceptability of the qualifications / evidence you intend to present. (Email support during the Evidence Uploader phase will be focused only on technical issues that candidates might encounter with the system - we appreciate your understanding). 

Above all, it is important that you engage with the process and upload some evidence to be considered, or your application may be rejected. 

If, having considered all the advice on this website, you are still not sure your education qualifications / Right to Work paperwork meet the requirements, please engage with the Evidence Uploader process regardless. We will do our best to advise you and address any outstanding issues during the follow-up phase. 

Thanks for your co-operation.

Recruitment Team - Deloitte MCS Ltd. 

Note *1* - Emails / letters from a school noting results, and other similar evidence.

Deloitte will consider any evidence (alternative to certificates or certified statements of results) presented on a case-by-case basis. At the minimum, evidence from a school would need to be on the schools official headed paper or via their official email system and have a named senior member of staff standing over their statement (e.g. principal or senior member of staff responsible for examination results). Any statement would need to confirm that the results listed were the final results achieved (i.e. no re-marks were subsequently requested). Any such evidence would need to detail the qualification Recipient's Full Name (at time of achievement), the Recipient's Date of Birth, and per Subject, the Qualification Level, Date Achieved, and Awarding Exam Board. The statement would need to be signed off by the responsible person standing over the statement and include the school's name and address and a contact telephone number and email address for the responsible person involved. Such a statement would need to be delivered to the candidate (not to Deloitte directly) and then the candidate would upload it to the Evidence Uploader during the review phase. In providing Deloitte with evidence in this way, candidates need to be aware (and by default, give permission) that Deloitte / the JoinPSNI team may need to contact certain third-party people / organisations (e.g. the school, the responsible person, the exam boards involved) in order to ascertain the validity of any such statement made.