Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services

You’ll be taught by professionals with years of service in the uniformed public services so you’ll benefit from outstanding expertise and vast knowledge as they guide you towards your chosen career in the industry.

In the first year, you will study units including: Behaviour and Discipline in the Uniformed Protective Services, Citizenship and Diversity, Physical Preparation, Professional Development and Understanding the Third Sector.

For your second year, you are able to select a military route or blue light route. Second year units include: Global Affairs, Government and the Protective Services and Planning and Responding to Emergency Incidents. Following the military route, you will also cover Security Threats, as well as Expedition and Skills for Outdoor Activities. Following the blue light route, you will also cover Custodial Care, Police Powers and Sociology.

On the military route, there will be opportunities to take part in outdoor activities such as climbing, kayaking, hiking Snowdon and expedition skills as part of your studies. You will develop practical skills such as map work and navigation whilst at the same time developing the confidence to lead groups, whether in the classroom or on the hills of the Peak District.

On the blue light route, you will participate in multi-agency incidents, forensic and policing activities at Staffordshire University, visits to paramedic centres, local courts and Fire and Rescue HQ; where you will develop leadership and communication skills linked to roles in the blue light sector.

The course uses a blended learning approach, mixing classroom theory with hands on experience and from time to time you will work together with classmates to produce group work as well as working on individual projects throughout.

Whether you plan on progressing to university, a higher apprenticeship or employment, by the end of the course you will be equipped to make informed choices about your next career step.
 

You will need a minimum of four or more high grades at GCSE in subjects relevant to the course you’d like to study, including maths and/or English Language at grade 4 or above. Alternatively, you’ll need a Level 2 Diploma with overall Merit in a relevant subject and maths and English at appropriate levels.

You'll also be asked to attend a college interview to establish that the course is suitable for you. It’s worth remembering that the course includes fitness testing, physical activity and outdoor activities.

The course is accredited by BTEC. Although the programme is mostly assessed through continuous assessment throughout the two years, you will have two externally assessed units, in the form of written exams. In the first year you will be examined in the unit 'Behaviour and Discipline in the UPS'. The second exam falls in year two for the unit 'Government and the Protective Services'. The remainder of units will be assessed in a variety of forms, including written assignment work, project work, presentations, group work, and practical-based assessments. It is demanding and you will need to be organised and be able to work independently from time to time. Throughout the course you will collect evidence of your competence in each unit. The work completed in each unit is graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction.

If you wish to find out more you can contact Marie Marsden, by emailing: marie.marsden@nscg.ac.uk

On completion of this uniformed protective service course many students continue to study in some aspect of public services (e.g. Criminology, Law, Forensics, Policing) on a Higher Education course at university. The college offers a Higher National Certificate and Diploma in Public Services, which students can progress onto from the Level 3 course. Other students go straight into employment in one of the uniformed protective services (e.g. Armed Forces, Fire and Rescue, Probation Service). Past students, for example, have been successful in their applications to the RAF, Army, Navy, and recently we have had successful applicants onto the Police Apprenticeship (PCDA).

This course is free for anyone aged 16 – 18.

College Maintenance Allowance (CMA): Anyone with a gross household income under £30,000 can receive financial support to cover college related costs such as transport, meals, course equipment and uniform. Bursary support is based on individual circumstances and will be allocated to best suit your individual needs. A range of other financial support is available depending on your personal circumstances. For more details visit nscg.ac.uk/finance