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Public Services Foundation Degree in Wakefield – Wakefield College

Cost£3,810.00
Duration3 years
DeliveryClassroom based
Start30 Sep 2027
Study modePart-time
AttendanceDaytime
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About this course

Public Services Foundation Degree in Wakefield. Classes run at Wakefield College, part-time during the day over three years.

The course covers the key concepts, processes and practices of working in public services. You'll study both academic theory and real-life scenarios, building transferable skills for a career in the public sector. Topics span areas such as law, leadership, criminology, and emergency response.

You'll need 48 UCAS points, including GCSE grade 4 or above in English and Maths, or an Access to HE Qualification. All applicants complete an interview. You'll finish with a Foundation Degree in Public Services.

Who this course is for

The programme offers an academically and vocationally focused curriculum developing a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, processes and practices of working within the Public Services. The programme offers a challenging, employability-led curriculum, that uses both academia and real-life scenarios, allowing development of a range of transferable skills, abilities and competencies necessary for a successful career in the public sector.

The programme offers a broad base of subject knowledge for you to draw on in your working life, providing the opportunity to explore legal, theoretical and political application and acquire an understanding of strategic management processes used within public sector organisations.

Employability is a key theme of the programme and the team are currently working closely with a number of public services for students to undertake voluntary work to complement their academic programme.

You will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, case studies, simulations/role play, work-based projects, self-directed study, and research. Guest speakers and industry visits will enhance your learning and application of this into work-based situations.

You will be expected to undertake 10 hours per week of self-directed study per module aided with a student support where you will receive pastoral and academic guidance and gain study skills.

Entry requirements

48 UCAS Points including GCSE Grade 9 - 4 or equivalent in English Language and Maths An Access to HE Qualification Those with previous experience or learning that is relevant may be eligible via our APL process for accreditation towards this course.

All external applicants must complete a satisfactory interview.

What you will learn

  • You'll explore the structure and role of public services organisations.
  • You'll study key concepts in law and criminal justice.
  • You'll develop leadership and teamwork skills relevant to the public sector.
  • You'll analyse real-life scenarios to apply theory in practice.
  • You'll build transferable skills in communication, problem-solving and decision-making.
  • You'll examine topics such as criminology, emergency response and public policy.
  • You'll develop an understanding of ethics and professional practice in public services.

How you will learn

Classes are delivered in the classroom at Wakefield College. Learning combines academic study with vocationally focused tasks and real-life scenarios. Assessment methods are likely to include written assignments, presentations, and practical tasks. All applicants attend a satisfactory interview before starting the course.

What you will need to bring

Wakefield College will confirm what you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Police constable, entry-level uniformed officer role with a police force.
  • Prison officer, working in custody and rehabilitation within the prison service.
  • Probation officer, supporting offenders in the community, though further study is required.
  • Community support officer, assisting police in a non-warranted capacity.
  • Firefighter, applying through a fire service recruitment process.
  • Border Force officer, working in immigration and customs control.
  • Local government officer, working in public administration or community services.

What you could study next

  • Bachelor's Degree in Criminology or Policing (Level 6), a natural top-up from a Foundation Degree for those wanting full graduate status.
  • Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, an earn-while-you-learn route into the police service.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration or Law (Level 6), broadening options across the public sector.
  • Postgraduate study in criminology, law or public policy, for those aiming at specialist or management roles.
Apply on heartofyorkshire.ac.uk →
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