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Free Level 3 Uniformed Services Course in Wakefield – Wakefield College

CostFREE
Duration2 years
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start30 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
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About this course

Level 3 Uniformed Services Course in Wakefield. Classes run at Wakefield College, full-time during the day over two years. The course is free if you are 16 to 18 years old. Additional costs may apply for materials, equipment, visits, and residentials. You'll build the skills and knowledge needed for careers across the uniformed public services, covering areas such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. A work placement is included. Entry requirements vary by programme: the Certificate requires four GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, or a Level 2 Public Services qualification at merit.

Who this course is for

Life in the Public Services can be challenging, rewarding, interesting, and exciting and you will require a variety of skills, knowledge, and expertise to succeed. This course/programme will help you develop all these qualities and give you an introduction to careers within this sector, whilst providing you with many other attributes such as communication and leadership skills, teamworking skills and confidence, that are vitally important in all uniformed public service roles.

Work placement and voluntary work opportunities are part of your programme which will help transfer the skills you have gained into the working environment.

Depending on the programme level you can expect you to learn through class work, team activities and other practical’s, visits and outdoor activities. Lectures, oral presentations, tutorials, individual research and group work will help further develop your communication and team-working skills. You will attend a residential towards the end of the academic year where you will be assessed in challenging situations to demonstrate skills and qualities to allow you to meet the higher grades on your course.

Entry requirements

Level 3 Diploma 4 GCSE Grade 9-4, including English.

OR

Level 2 Public Services, with a merit profile.

Level 3 Extended Diploma 5 GCSEs Grade 9-4, including English and Maths.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop communication skills used across all uniformed public service roles.
  • You'll build leadership skills through practical tasks and teamwork activities.
  • You'll gain knowledge of how the uniformed public services are structured and operate.
  • You'll complete a work placement to experience a public services environment directly.
  • You'll develop physical fitness and resilience relevant to service roles.
  • You'll study topics such as law, discipline, and the values of public service organisations.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom sessions, practical activities, and a work placement. Assessment is through assignments, projects, and practical tasks completed throughout the course. There are no formal written exams for the core qualification. Your work is assessed on an ongoing basis, so you build your portfolio of evidence as you progress.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Wakefield College will confirm anything else you need before you start. Be aware that additional costs may apply for materials, equipment, visits, and residentials during the course.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Police officer, joining as a constable after further recruitment and training.
  • Firefighter, applying to a fire and rescue service after completing the course.
  • Army soldier, entering through standard British Army recruitment.
  • Royal Navy rating, applying via the standard naval recruitment process.
  • Prison officer, working in a custody and rehabilitation environment.
  • Paramedic, progressing through further study and NHS recruitment.
  • Border Force officer, working in ports and airports on security and customs.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Public Services, a larger qualification covering more ground if you want to strengthen your application to uniformed services.
  • Foundation Degree or HND in Public Services, for those considering a degree-level route into management or specialist roles.
  • Specific service recruitment programmes, such as the Police Now graduate scheme or armed forces officer entry routes, depending on your longer-term goals.
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