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Free BTEC Level 3 Uniformed Protective Services Course in Portsmouth

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start6 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyPearson Edexcel awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free BTEC Level 3 Uniformed Protective Services Course in Portsmouth. Classes run at COPC Sixth Form Campus, full-time over one year. The course is free for 16 to 18 year olds and for 19 to 24 year olds who hold an Education, Health and Care Plan.

You'll study government policy, leadership, teamwork, citizenship, diversity, and discipline. Physical fitness training and testing run throughout. You choose between two pathways. The Armed Forces Pathway includes participation in the Combined Cadet Force and weekly fitness sessions at HMS Temeraire. The Blue Light Pathway covers criminology, applied law, medical science, and applied psychology, depending on your career interests.

You'll need at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language. You finish with a Pearson Edexcel BTEC National Extended Certificate in Uniformed Protective Services.

Who this course is for

Are you ready to roll your sleeves up and pursue a career in the uniformed protective services. The Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services at City of Portsmouth College provides the ultimate challenge.

Equivalent to two A Levels, this physically demanding course will help develop your leadership and teamwork skills and can be completed via two pathways - the Armed Forces Pathway, and the Blue Light Pathway. In both, you'll learn about government policies, leadership and teamwork, citizenship and diversity, discipline, and undertake fitness testing and training for the uniformed public services. You'll also undertake pathway-relevant trips to boost your learning.

Entry requirements

A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English language. For the Armed Forces Pathway, an interest in the armed forces is essential and knowledge of potential career pathways is desirable. Similarly for the Blue Light Pathway, an interest in the blue light services (police/ambulance/fire/coastguard) is essential and knowledge of potential career pathways is desirable.

What you will learn

  • You'll study government policies and how they shape the uniformed services.
  • You'll develop leadership and teamwork skills through practical activities.
  • You'll train and be tested on physical fitness throughout the year.
  • You'll explore citizenship, diversity, and discipline in a public services context.
  • You'll follow either the Armed Forces Pathway, gaining military skills through the Combined Cadet Force, or the Blue Light Pathway, studying criminology, applied law, medical science, and applied psychology.
  • You'll take part in pathway-relevant trips to support your learning.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom sessions, physical fitness training, and practical activities. The Armed Forces Pathway includes participation in the Combined Cadet Force and sessions at HMS Temeraire. The Blue Light Pathway includes in-depth study of crime and criminal behaviour. Assessment is through coursework and assignments, as is standard for a BTEC qualification at this level.

What you will need to bring

COPC Sixth Form Campus will confirm what you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Police officer, entry requires further recruitment and training after this qualification.
  • Firefighter, entry requires a separate application and fitness assessment process.
  • Prison officer, this course supports your application and preparation.
  • Armed forces recruit, the Armed Forces Pathway prepares you to apply to a service of your choice.
  • Paramedic or ambulance technician, further training or a degree is needed after this course.
  • Coastguard or border force officer, this course builds relevant knowledge and fitness for application.

What you could study next

  • A Level 3 BTEC National Diploma or Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services, if you want a larger qualification before applying to services or higher education.
  • A foundation degree or bachelor's degree in Policing, Criminology, or a related subject, for roles that require degree-level entry.
  • An HNC or HND in Public Services (Level 4 or Level 5), a work-based step toward supervisory roles.
  • Direct entry programmes run by individual uniformed services, which have their own selection processes.
Apply on city-of-portsmouth-college.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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