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Public Services

BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma / National Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services

Mode of study

Full Time

Start date

08/09/2025

Entry requirements

A minimum of 4 GCSEs grade 9 - 4 including maths and English or a full Level 2 with a merit profile and grades 9 - 4 in English & maths.

Teaching staff

The staff on the Public Services Team at Oaklands College have diverse backgrounds, who have experience working within the public services and security industries, including specialist sports tutors. We like to use the term `passing on our experiences' as part of your learning, and tutors will mentor you through any application process to the services or universities. You will have opportunities to meet with representatives from the armed and emergency services to discuss your career development. There will be opportunities to work with a variety of different services such as Hertfordshire Police and Hertfordshire County Council.

Course Code

FD3PSA1F/1

Duration

1-Year

Location

St Albans Campus

Awarding body

Pearson Education Ltd (Formerly EDEXCEL)

Assessment

Throughout the programme, progress will be assessed in all areas via exams, assignments, practical work, projects, and other activities. There will be an emphasis on your personal commitment to learning and you will be guided through enhancing your research and cognitive skills through projects you manage yourself. All units are assessed and graded as a Pass, Merit or Distinction. This programme will allow you to achieve the equivalent of up to three A-levels.

About the course

This is a specialist practical and vocational qualification. You will learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities, and demands. The course is designed to give you an insight into the practicalities and realities of working within a public service organisation. The course has a range of diverse and challenging topic areas offering an introduction to the skills you will need when working in the public sector. You will complete the BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in the first year progressing to the Extended Diploma in the second year. The Extended Diploma is broadly equivalent to 3 A Levels which means you will be ideally placed to progress to higher education, pursue public services or specialist public services qualifications such as higher Nationals or other degree-level qualifications.

Career options

The Level 3 National Foundation/Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services is highly valued by employers and Universities. Students can go into a wide range of public sector occupations, the armed and emergency services, voluntary services, community and youth work, the leisure services, private security and local government. If you decide to go to university, recent learners have secured places on degree courses in sociology, criminology and psychology, law, outdoor and adventure activities and health and social care.

Recent students have secured places on degree courses in sociology, crime and psychology, law, outdoor and adventure activities and health and social care.

Potential careers:

  • Soldier
  • Coastguard
  • Detective
  • Dog Handler
  • Emergency Services
  • Control Room Operator
  • Firefighter
  • Marines
  • Navy
  • Police
  • Prison Officer
  • RAF
  • Security Officer

Course Content - What will I learn?

Across the two years of the course the following subjects will be studied. Citizenship and Diversity Behaviour and Discipline in the Uniformed Services Physical Preparation, Health and Wellbeing in the Uniformed Protective Services Teamwork, Leadership and Communication in the Uniformed Protective Services Custodial Care Police Power and the Law Global Affairs the Media and the Uniformed Services Government and the Protective Services Criminology Research Skills in the Uniformed Services Developing Personal Fitness Programmes Planning and Responding to Major Incidents Skills for Outdoor Activities in the Uniformed Protective Services
You will also have the opportunity to complete a functional skill in literacy and numeracy whilst studying your main programme, which is encouraged by both employers and academic institutions. Feedback from sector employers is that they are seeking evidence of voluntary community involvement to support employment applications. To support his requirement all learners will be expected to commit to achieving a minimum of 30hrs in voluntary activity per academic year. Tutors will support you with identifying opportunities; examples in previous years are working with Hertfordshire Police Training and County Council emergency planning.

Please contact us to find out if you require any specific equipment for this particular course.

Throughout the programme, progress will be assessed in all areas via exams, assignments, practical work, projects, and other activities. There will be an emphasis on your personal commitment to learning and you will be guided through enhancing your research and cognitive skills through projects you manage yourself. All units are assessed and graded as a Pass, Merit or Distinction. This programme will allow you to achieve the equivalent of up to three A-levels.