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Level 3 Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services

Level 1 Diploma

Course Location

College

Trafford College

Location

Altrincham Campus

Further Details

Age

College 16-18

Department

Uniformed Services

Course Start Date

Monday 1st September 2025

Course Duration

Full-time, 1 Year

Course Time

09:00 - 15:30

Course Fee

£ 2573.00
You may be eligible for support with your tuition fees - please visit the college website - funding and finance page for further information

Course Code

AFP-PS3N-1100

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Course Overview

This programme is designed for individuals who want to work as part of a bigger team in helping your communities locally, regionally and nationally. You will develop the skills, knowledge and abilities to succeed in the UK’s Uniformed Protective Services sector; if you want to work in a range of different jobs within the Police Force, Fire and Rescue Service, HM Prison Service, HM Customs and Revenue or the Armed Forces including the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines Commandos or the Royal Air Force, this is the course for you.

The BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services is a two-year course that is equivalent to three A-Levels and carries the associated UCAS points needed to progress into university courses. The course is designed to offer a wide-ranging curriculum which develops knowledge and skills in areas such as leadership and teamwork, sociology, crime prevention, the legal system including UK statutory powers and regulations, response to emergency incidents and threats to security, sustainability and the development of vital communication skills.

As a studenton this programme, you will also have the opportunity to meet with current serving and former personnel with guest speaker visits from Greater Manchester Police and the Armed Forces. We often invite some of our former students who are currently working in the Uniformed Protective Services as Police Officers, Call Handlers, HM Prison Officers, Field Medic in the British Army and Outdoor Education specialists.

Course Requirements

4 GCSE’s grade 4 or above (including English Language and/or maths).

What you will Learn

You will gain an understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle and how to train effectively for personal fitness which is important for personnel working within the UK’s Uniformed Protective Services. You will also get the opportunity to participate in a variety of outdoor activities, focusing on developing your practical skills and techniques which are essential for safe, efficient and independent participation, whilst developing your level of physical ability in outdoor settings and challenging landscapes, as well as developing an understanding of the physical environment.

Our programme is focused on knowledge and skills development, we provide a range of different experiences to help you develop the industry skills essential to successful life not just in the Uniformed Protective Services but also transferable to other employment sectors. Our learners also have the opportunity to complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award alongside the BTEC qualification to further enhance the skills development and expand the outdoor pursuits offers with this internationally recognised qualification.

All students will participate in a number of scenario-based exercises aimed to develop skills for working in pressurised environments. Students will also have opportunities to visit and participate in taster experiences for a number of protective service roles.

You will develop a wide range of employability skills and be able to apply your learning across a wide range of professional disciplines. Practical experience is integral to the programme and where available, students attend residential placements as well as working with the Protective Services. Involvement in planning and running fundraising events as well as voluntary work is one of the programme essentials.
We have outstanding results for this programme with most students progressing to University or directly into employment or training such as a Military Training Programme.

All students will participate in a number of scenario-based exercises aimed to develop skills for working in pressurised environments. Students will also have opportunities to visit and participate in taster experiences for a number of protective service roles.

You will develop a wide range of employability skills and be able to apply your learning across a wide range of professional disciplines. Practical experience is integral to the programme and where available, students attend residential placements as well as working with the Protective Services. Involvement in planning and running fundraising events as well as voluntary work is one of the programme essentials.

Teamwork and leadership practice
Communication methods
Outdoor activities
Presentation skills
Research and analysis
Fitness testing and training
IT skills
Personal and professional development
Skills analysis
Expedition skills
Fundraising
Volunteering
Revision skills
Higher Education Skills (Investigation and referencing).

Assessment

The variety of units both examined and coursework-based aim to provide learners with opportunities to sample a wide range of specialist areas within the Uniformed Protective Services and develop an understanding of the academic and practical skills that will help them to progress into employment in this area as well as other sectors in the UK economy.

External examinations, which equate to 33% of the total assessment method.
Written assignments including essays, reports, leaflets.
Verbal presentations
Practical assessments such as fitness tests, outdoor pursuits and expeditions.

Progression

Higher Education (University) including courses in Law, Teaching, Police Studies, Criminology, Media Studies,
Apprenticeship in UPS Sector or other areas
Employment in UPS Sector

Career Options

Completion of the Extended Diploma will lead to entry to a range of Higher Education programmes, apprenticeships or employment.
Many of our students go into: Military Services including military colleges such as Sandhurst and Harrogate, Emergency Services as either frontline personnel or the various supporting and enabling teams such as call handler, custody officer, PCSO, enquiries desk, Social Work and Teaching, Fitness, Security/Border Force, Outdoor Education, Civil Service, Youth and Community Work.

Mandatory Units

Over the 2 year period you will study a range of 18 different units that include:

Citizenship & Diversity
Behaviour & Discipline in the Uniformed Protective Services
Physical Preparation, Health & Well-being
Teamwork, Leadership & Communication in the Uniformed Protective Services
Government & the Protective Services
Skills for Outdoor Activities & the Uniformed Services
Expedition Skills
Professional Development in the Uniformed Protective Services

Contact Details

For further information please contact T: 0161 886 7070 or E: info@trafford.ac.uk

Extra Costs Involved

Exam Validation Body

Hours Per Week

How Long To Complete

Programme Structure

Contact Details

Disclaimer

Although every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained within this document is accurate, there may be changes to this programme and provision. We will endeavour to keep prospective and current students updated where appropriate and when the information becomes available.

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