Evidence Uploader Phase - Important Tips

As we move into the Evidence Uploader phase of recruitment there are a few key messages we hope to publicise in the hope that candidates find the stage straightforward.

With the aim of amplifying messaging on certain frequently seen issues that can cause problems for candidates and slow the stage down, we would appreciate if you could consider the following and take heed during the phase.

Eligibility Evidence - Evidence Uploader – Process in general

Keep the evidence you present to the absolute minimum to allow you to meet the eligibility criteria. The stage IS NOT an opportunity to log with PSNI all the documents you ever possessed. If you engage in overkill and provide too much evidence, your application may be rejected. The majority of candidates will be able to prove their eligibility using photographic evidence of two, maximum three items/pages (e.g. their GCSE certificate(s) and the photo page of their passport). If this is the case for you, please keep things simple and show us the bare minimum. (We appreciate some candidates may have a more complex education history or diverse nationality / immigration background. That is fully understood and if you genuinely need to provide more evidence to prove your eligibility you will not be penalised).
Support during the phase – As we move into the Evidence Uploader phase, we cannot engage in email exchanges discussing the acceptability of the qualifications / evidence you intend to present. If you are invited to, please engage with the Uploader process. If issues with your evidence are identified after you have uploaded it, we will provide specific advice during a short and focussed follow-up phase. (During the phase, email support will give priority to anyone experiencing technical difficulties with the Uploader).
Name changes – If your eligibility evidence is in a name other than that which you applied in to the PSNI, you will need to provide us with documentary evidence (i.e. either your Marriage Certificate or Civil Partnership Certificate or Change of Name Deed Poll Certificate etc.) to verify that the evidence relates to you.
Periods of Maintenance Downtime – During the stage we will have to conduct maintenance on the Uploader. We will pre-warn of this on the 2026 Recruitment News section of our homepage. If you reach the Evidence Uploader and find a message stating that it is temporarily closed for maintenance you must not attempt to use it. In most cases, if you revisit the Uploader after 1 hour, the Evidence Uploader will be back open for use.
Functionality of the Uploader - If you are presenting multiple files or images, each file must have a unique file name. (Please ensure you re-name each file with a unique name before you attempt to upload.) Take particular care if attempting to use the Evidence Uploader from a smartphone. Do not use the TAKE PHOTO option direct from within the Uploader widget and attempt to upload, as this will label all files with the same file name. As duplicates will be rejected, only one of these images will be successfully logged with us and your upload will be incomplete. Instead, take your picture(s) first and then upload them separately by browsing on your device and selecting them from your device's PHOTO ALBUM as this will ensure each image has a unique file name.
Upload Early – The Evidence Uploader is due to be open 18-25 March 2026. It will close promptly at 12 noon on the 25th. It will be beneficial to you if you upload your evidence early. As phased processing is a feature of this recruitment process; those who upload early will be most likely to progress to the next stage first. The phase deadline will be firm. It is very important to attempt your upload early in case you encounter technical difficulties and require technical support. Bear in mind that intensive technical support may not be available if you leave the upload until the very last minute on the last day of the phase. (Appeals in relation to technical or personal matters cannot be considered after the deadline for completion – raise any issues with us as soon as they are encountered).
Instantaneous email acknowledgement WILL NOT be provided by the system. When you have successfully completed your evidence upload you will see a confirmation message onscreen. (We suggest you take a screenshot of this message as proof of the submission).

Education Criteria

A range of ways will be possible to prove you have 5 GCSEs A*-C (or equivalent) including English Language. However, a couple of specifics to highlight:

While a Degree is not a prerequisite for the role with PSNI and will not gain you any advantage in this recruitment process, we’d like to highlight that if you happen to have an Undergraduate or Masters Degree awarded by a University in the UK / Ireland, we will accept the Degree (regardless of the subject) as evidence that you meet the PSNI education criteria in full. For those that have such a Degree, this is likely to save on the number of pages you’ll have to present to prove your Education Eligibility, as the Degree certificate alone will do the job, rather than say presenting several exam board GCSE documents. If you provide evidence of having a Degree from a UK / Ireland University, there is no need to show evidence of having GCSEs also.
If you intend to submit qualifications achieved outside of the UK / Ireland, you will be expected to provide a copy of the original qualification certificate and a Statement of Comparability prepared by UK ENIC to confirm equivalency.

Right to Work Check

A range of ways will be possible to prove your Right to Work permanently in the UK. However, a couple of specifics to highlight:

For those who have either a UK / Ireland Passport (it does not matter if it is current or expired) – a simple image of the passport’s photo page is all you’ll need to present and should prove your Right to Work. (If you have dual / multiple nationality, please select only one passport to show us).
For those who are from outside the UK / Ireland – the most straightforward way to evidence your Right To Work is to provide details of your current / valid Share Code along with an image of your passport’s photo page and we will check your eligibility via the Government checking service.