Uniformed Public Services Level 3

Entry requirements

Students are required to have four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and maths, or at least a Merit in BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Public Services.  

Course Overview

For students looking to study art and design in Southampton and the New Forest, our Uniformed Public Service Level 3 course covers a range of techniques and skills for public service.  

Our course is designed to provide informed and prepared potential recruits for the sector. Through our public service course, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the principles of the sector and the opportunities within it, while also learning a variety of transferable skills that can be applied to the workplace or further levels of study.  

You will have the opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical skills, explore and engage in volunteering, learn how to prepare for interviews, increase your physical fitness and learn about the importance of health and hygiene for public service roles.  

What will I learn?

Our Uniformed Public Service Level 3 course is based on the Nacro Education Get Set! framework, enabling you to gain critical and transferable skills that you need to progress onto your next step and help build your CV. Including enabling you to learn maths and English GCSE or Functional Skills. 

As part of this course, you will learn a wide range of skills to give you a strong foundation for your future career through practical and theoretical lessons. In theory lessons, you will solve puzzles, practice assignment-style questions and work with other students to learn new content via teacher questioning, games and other problem-solving tasks.  

Taught by experienced teachers who have experience of the sector.  

Work Experience

As part of the Nacro Education Get Set! framework, we encourage all students to engage in enrichment activities to support your learning.  

You will be required to complete 35 hours of work experience during the college year. This can be undertaken throughout the year or during the two work experience weeks, one in February before the half-term break and the other the week before the Easter holiday. 

You will be supported throughout to enable you to take part in relevant work experience within the sector, which may not necessarily mean practical work experience in public services, but we offer a range of opportunities for you to gain the practical experience. 

In addition, you will also be taught by industry professionals throughout the year and have the opportunity to go on outdoor excursions – one land-based, and one water-based. Led by industry professionals to help you gain additional experience in the sector.

Modules

To achieve this course, you are required to successfully complete 4 mandatory units and 14 optional modules. Modules for the Uniformed Public Services Level 3 course include:  

Mandatory 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 

You will be able to choose modules from the following: 

Optional modules  

• Uniformed services hierarchy and routine 

• Values and standards 

• Mental and physical wellbeing 

• Carry out map reading and navigation across open country 

• Telecommunications in the uniformed services 

• Understand conflict management and personal protection 

• The influence of the UK government, international organisations and the media on the uniformed services 

• Collaboration between uniformed services 

• Emergency planning and response in the uniformed services 

• Understand the impact of war and conflict on uniformed services 

• Sports coaching Yes Unit 16 Skills for land-based outdoor and adventurous activities 

• Skills for water-based outdoor and adventurous activities 

• Outdoor and adventurous expeditions 

• Understanding discipline in the uniformed services Yes Unit 20 UK legal systems and uniformed services 

• Crime scene investigation 

• ICT in the uniformed services 

• Volunteering in the uniformed services  

• Human resources in the uniformed services 

• Security procedures in the uniformed services 

Assessment

At Totton College, we use a variety of assessment methods to ensure you achieve the Uniformed Public Services Level 3 qualification.

Modules are assessed in the form of a portfolio of work; this could include observations on practical tasks or written assessments. You will be supported with all your work, and your teacher will go through this with you when you sign up for the course. 

Assessments will take place throughout the year, between three to four assessments per module. These will range from written, practical, professional discussions, presentations, peer-led activities and observations.  

Enrichment Opportunities

• They will have industry professionals throughout the year.  

• We aim to go on 2 outdoor activity trips a year, one land-based and the other water-based.  

• We have an industry professional lead team building activities either on-site or off. 

Career and Progression

After successfully passing this course, you will have the core knowledge to progress to a higher-level qualification and to move forward towards your chosen career.

On successful completion of this course, you will achieve the Level 3 NCFE Cambridge Diploma in Uniformed Public Services. After completing this course, you can progress onto further levels of study in areas such as management, public services, justice, security and local or national government.   

You may also wish to discuss career options with the college careers advisor prior to completion of the course to investigate possible apprenticeships or entry-level employment.  

During my course, I’ve gained a good understanding of the history and structure of Uniformed Public Services, as well as the valuable skills they provide and the impact they have on the public. I have enjoyed the opportunities this course offers, such as navigation and self-defence training. One of my proudest achievements at Totton College has been gaining the confidence to deliver presentations in class, something I struggled with when I first started. My advice to new students joining Totton College is to ask plenty of questions about what you’re learning, as it will help you prepare for the assignments you will be working on later. After completing my course, I plan to join the Royal Air Force.

Sarah-Jane Tillyer

Uniformed Public Service Level 3 student

Funding and bursaries

Students if you’re aged over 19 you may be eligible for free tuition depending on the course you want to study, your existing qualifications and your financial circumstances. For more information email info@totton.ac.uk or call 023 8087 4874.

Advanced Learner Loans are available for students who are aged 19 or over. Repayments do not begin until the course is completed and you are earning £25,000 or over. Eligible learners will be enrolling on a level 3 or above course and are a UK or EU national. For further information, visit gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

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