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Level 3 Uniformed Services Course in Ashton-under-Lyne

Cost£2,573.00
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
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About this course

Level 3 Entry to the Uniformed Services Course in Ashton-under-Lyne. Classes run at Tameside College, full-time during the day.

The course prepares you for a career in the police, fire service, prison service, or armed forces. You'll need four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Maths or English Language, and a pre-course interview. Classroom sessions are combined with physical fitness training, outdoor activities, and work experience with uniformed service organisations. The course runs over one year.

You'll finish with an NCFE Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services at Level 3.

Who this course is for

This course aims to develop the skills and qualities needed for a career in the Uniformed Services. You will engage in various activities such as classroom learning, physical fitness training, outdoor adventures, and a comprehensive work experience program with different Uniformed Service organizations. The following units are delivered across 2 years (if you complete the full Extended Diploma:)

Year 1

� Prepare for a Career

� Develop Aspects of Fitness

� Develop Leadership Skills

� Uniformed Services Hierarchy & Routine

� Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

� Map Reading & Navigation

� Understand Conflict Management & Personal Protection

� Volunteering in the UPS

� Emergency Planning & Response

Those students who stay to complete the second year of study (to achieve the full Extended Diploma) study will complete a further 9 units including:

� Crime Scene Investigation

� Outdoor Activities

� Mental & Physical wellbeing.

Entry requirements

Applicants need 4 GCSEs at level 4 or above, including Maths or English Language. A pre-course interview is required. Candidates should be enthusiastic about a career in the Uniformed Services and fully engage with all aspects of the study program which includes:

� Physical Fitness

� Teamwork & Leadership

� Problem Solving

� Discipline

� Personal Development

What you will learn

  • You'll develop physical fitness and understand how it applies to uniformed service roles.
  • You'll build leadership skills through practical team exercises.
  • You'll learn how to prepare and apply for a career in the uniformed services.
  • You'll practise teamwork, discipline, and problem-solving in structured activities.
  • You'll gain experience through placements with uniformed service organisations.
  • You'll develop personal qualities such as resilience and self-management.

How you will learn

You'll learn through a mix of classroom sessions, physical fitness training, outdoor adventure activities, and work experience placements. Units are assessed through coursework, practical tasks, and projects completed throughout the year. A pre-course interview is part of the enrolment process.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Tameside College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Police officer, joins a force after completing further selection and training.
  • Firefighter, applies to a fire and rescue service after the course.
  • Prison officer, works in custody and rehabilitation settings.
  • Armed forces recruit, enters the army, navy, or RAF through standard selection.
  • Paramedic trainee, progresses to a degree or apprenticeship in ambulance services.
  • Border force officer, works in ports and airports on immigration and customs.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Extended Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services, a two-year version of this course covering additional units in greater depth.
  • Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Public Services, a higher-level qualification for those wanting to move into management or specialist roles.
  • Degree in Criminology or Policing, for those aiming for graduate-entry routes into the police or related services.
Apply on tameside.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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