Uniformed Public Services Level 3
Prepare for a career where teamwork, discipline and making a difference matter. This practical Level 3 programme combines public service knowledge with fitness, leadership and challenging activities, helping you develop the personal and professional skills valued by the police, fire and rescue services, armed forces and other uniformed organisations.
-
Description
Explore what it takes to work in the uniformed public services while developing the knowledge, fitness, teamwork and leadership skills needed for demanding careers.
You will learn how different services operate, examine the responsibilities placed on their employees and apply your knowledge through practical activities and realistic scenarios.
You will explore areas such as:
- The role and structure of the uniformed public services
- Leadership and teamwork
- Physical fitness for public service careers
- Discipline and professional standards
- Communication
- Conflict resolution
- Decision making under pressure
- Law and its application within public services
- Emergency planning and response
- Working effectively with others
- Personal development and professional behaviours
- Preparing for recruitment and selection
Theory is supported by practical activities that challenge you to communicate, lead, solve problems and work effectively as part of a team.
Depending on the activities available, you may also take part in outdoor and adventurous activities that help develop resilience, confidence and teamwork.
Alongside your specialist knowledge, you will develop transferable skills including leadership, communication, organisation, problem solving, resilience and taking responsibility for your own performance.
Please note: Some careers within the uniformed services haverequirements relating to areas such as age, nationality, medical fitness, eyesight, physical standards or other eligibility criteria. You should check the current requirements for any service or role you are particularly interested in.
-
Entry requirements
You will normally need:
- Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths
- Or an appropriate Level 2 vocational qualification, together with equivalent English and Maths qualifications
If you have not yet achieved grade 4 in GCSE English and/or Maths, you will continue to study these alongside your main programme.
You will get the most from this programme if you:
- Have a genuine interest in the uniformed public services
- Are willing to develop and maintain your physical fitness
- Enjoy working as part of a team
- Want to develop your leadership skills
- Can communicate confidently with other people
- Are prepared to work in challenging situations
- Are self-disciplined and reliable
- Can organise your workload and meet deadlines
- Are willing to take responsibility for your own development
- Can listen to feedback and use it to improve
- Are prepared to support and encourage other people
You do not need to have decided exactly which service you want to join. The programme gives you opportunities to explore different career routes while developing skills that are relevant across the sector.
-
Qualification
NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services
-
Progression
After completing the programme, you can progress into employment, an apprenticeship, specialist training or higher education.
The programme is particularly relevant if you are interested in careers with organisations such as:
- Police services
- Fire and rescue services
- The Army
- The Royal Navy
- The Royal Marines
- The Royal Air Force
- Military Police
- Prison and probation services
- Border and security services
- Other emergency and public services
Entry to these organisations is subject to their individual recruitment and eligibility requirements, and completing this qualification does not guarantee entry into a particular service.
You could also progress to higher education in subjects such as:
- Policing
- Criminology
- Public services
- Emergency management
- Security and intelligence
- Leadership and management
- Sport, fitness or physical training
The leadership, communication and decision-making skills developed through the programme can also support progression into apprenticeships and careers beyond the uniformed services.
-
Assessment
The qualification is assessed through coursework and practical activities completed throughout the programme.
Assessment may include:
- Written assignments
- Practical activities
- Leadership and teamwork tasks
- Presentations
- Research projects
- Scenario-based activities
- Fitness-related tasks
- Reflective work
- Portfolio evidence
Your assessments will test both your understanding of the uniformed services and your ability to apply skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership and problem solving.
Your tutors will provide regular feedback to help you improve your work, develop your professional behaviours and take greater responsibility for your progress.
The vocational qualification is assessed through internally assessed work rather than formal written examinations.
English and Maths, where studied alongside your programme, are assessed separately and may include exams.
-
Home study
You should expect to complete around 5 to 6 hours of independent study each week.
This may include:
- Researching uniformed public services
- Completing written assignments
- Preparing presentations
- Reviewing legislation or service procedures
- Preparing for practical activities
- Fitness-related tasks
- Reflecting on your personal development
- Researching career and recruitment requirements
- Responding to tutor feedback
At Level 3, you will be expected to manage your workload, meet deadlines and take increasing responsibility for both your academic and personal development
-
Work placement
Access to formal work placements within some uniformed public services can be restricted because of operational, security or age requirements.
Where suitable opportunities are available, you may take part in work experience or activities that give you an insight into professional public service environments.
You will also have opportunities to develop your understanding of the sector through activities such as:
- Employer and service talks
- Visits to uniformed public service organisations
- Practical workshops
- Recruitment and careers activities
- Guest speakers
- Team and leadership challenges
- Activities exploring the standards expected by different services
These experiences will help you understand the realities of public service careers, compare different routes and prepare for future recruitment, higher education or employment.
-
Fees and additional costs
- All full-time students are asked to contribute £15 towards the College Subscription Fund
- You may need suitable clothing and footwear for physical, outdoor and adventurous activities
- Some activities, visits and expeditions may have additional travel, entrance or equipment costs
- Textbooks or other subject-specific resources may be recommended to support your studies
- Full details of any required equipment or additional costs will be provided in advance
* Terms and conditions apply. The fees stated on this website are for guidance purposes only and should be checked before enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, fees shown are for tuition only, over one academic year. Where a course is longer than one academic year, the fees stated are for the first year, and the cost of the second or subsequent years will be discussed at interview. For details of fee remission for students over 19 click here. If you think you may be entitled to a concession or fee remission, or you would like more information on the additional costs associated with your chosen course, please contact us on 01635 845000 or email