About the course

This course is suitable for those interested in a career in the public services or those wishing to study a variety of degrees including Law, Criminology, Politics, or Public Services. The public sector is the UK's largest employer and includes central and local government, the armed forces and the emergency services.

Entry requirements

4 GCSEs (minimum) Grades 4 -9 or a Merit at a relevant Level 2 Diploma

How much does it cost?

Free to those aged 16-18. If you are aged 19+ you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

There is a range of financial support that you may be entitled to, including: Learner Support funds, grants and bursaries and employer support.

A cost of £100 to cover educational visits across the year and kit. Any underspend is reimbursed to students at the end of the year.

Why study?

The course will give you a detailed understanding of the Public Services in the UK, which can be further developed through higher education. It also develops key generic life skills, which would strengthen an application for a variety of roles and careers, both within and outside of the uniformed public services.

Educational Visits

Trip to Parliament
Visit to the Supreme Court
Visit to magistrate's court in Chelmsford
Opportunity to visit a Police Station and explore the custody and detention areas
Trip to Police and Crime Museum in London

Guest Speakers

Magistrates
Deputy Police Commissioner for Essex
Royal Marines
British Army
Metropolitan Police

Where will this course take me?

Opportunities to continue studies at higher education Students will also be prepared for employment in the following areas: Police, Fire and Rescue Services, Ambulance Service, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force or Army.

Core modules

• Prepare for a career in a chosen uniformed service
• Develop aspects of physical fitness for entry to the uniformed services
• Develop leadership skills
• Equality, diversity and inclusion

Additional Units:

• Uniformed services hierarchy and routine
• Values and standards
• Mental and physical wellbeing
• Carry out map reading and navigation across open country
• Understand conflict management and personal protection
• Emergency planning and response in the uniformed services
• Understand the impact of war and conflict on uniformed services
• Skills for water-based outdoor and adventurous activities
• Understanding discipline in the uniformed services
• Crime scene investigation
• Volunteering in the uniformed services
• Security procedures in the uniformed services
• UK legal systems and uniformed services
• Telecommunications in the uniformed services
• The influence of UK government, international organisations and the media
• on the uniformed services

How will I be assessed?

Written assignments, group and individual presentations, observed practical assessments etc.

Will I have to provide anything?

Basic stationery – notebooks, paper, pens and practical clothing, memory stick. Educational visits may require basic camping equipment such as sleeping bag, roll mat and waterproofs. 

A cost of £100 to cover educational visits across the year and kit. Any underspend is reimbursed to students at the end of the year.