Access to Higher Education (Public Services) Diploma

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Study Mode: Full Time Programme Component Course Level: 3

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If you want to pursue a career in policing, but lack the necessary qualifications, our Access to Higher Education (Public Services) Diploma will give you the skills you need to go on to obtain your dream career.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma is widely recognised by universities and bridges the gap between existing education and what is needed to study at degree level.

The Access to Higher Education (Public Services) Diploma is an intensive and challenging one-year course that will give you an overview of Public Services sector, and help you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed for university.

To succeed on this course, you will need to be committed and focused and have a zest for learning, as well as good time management skills, particularly if you work and have family responsibilities.

Before you embark on the diploma it is important that you know what you want to study at university, have thoroughly researched your chosen course and attended university open days.

You will also have the opportunity to develop your Maths and English skills via our Functional Skills qualifications.

To access this course you are required to:

Have English at Level 2 (eg GCSE grade 4/C or above / equivalent Functional Skills qualification depending on individual university requirements)
Have maths at Level 2 (eg GCSE grade 4/C or above / equivalent Functional Skills qualification depending on individual university requirements)*
Show commitment to the course and be motivated and determined to be successful on this intensive programme of study

*Applicants without this level of qualification will be required to complete a diagnostic assessment to determine their level of maths skills and knowledge and, if necessary, study for the Level 2 qualification alongside the Access course.

The Public Sector Service and Policing Diploma will focus on:

Citizenship & Diversity

Explore the key features of society
Explore the rights and responsibilities of individuals and the protective services
Investigate the role or protective services in ensuring equality of service
Investigate the changes in society that impact on citizens and the protective services

Professional Development

Investigate career and job opportunities in the uniformed protective services
Explore own skills, using a skills audit, to inform a career development plan
Undertake a recruitment activity to demonstrate the processes that can lead to a successful job offer in a selected career pathway

Physical Preparation, Health & Wellbeing

Explore components of fitness and the effect of different methods of training on body systems
Examine lifestyle factors that are important in maintaining health and wellbeing
Carry out tests for personal fitness levels and fitness requirements for entry to the uniformed protective services
Design a fitness programme that meets personal fitness goals for entry to the uniformed protective services

Teamwork, Leadership and Communication in the Uniformed Protective Services

Explore teamwork and leadership styles used in the uniformed protective services
Explore theories and techniques used for the development of effective uniformed protective services teams
Demonstrate the use of communication methods and systems relevant to the uniformed protective services
Apply team working and leadership skills within uniformed protective services contexts.

Police Powers and the Law

Examine the legal framework surrounding the powers of the police to tackle criminal behaviour
Investigate the roles undertaken by the personnel of the courts
Explore the criminal trial process to be followed once an individual has been charged with an offence

By studying this course you will:

Develop your understanding of the underpinning skills, knowledge and academic conventions needed for Higher Education
Learn how to research, design, plan and write educational assignments as well as developing your critical and evaluative thinking skills
Develop an appreciation for the promotion of active reading to identify relevant information and take part in discussions and debates based on informed reading
Develop your analytical skills to give you the confidence to participate in verbal and written educational debate
Develop your practical skills and appreciate the need for attention to detail
You will also develop your ICT skills

This is an assessment-based course and will include a combination of essays, reports, presentations, group discussions and timed examinations.

The skills you will learn on this course will enable you to:

Progress into the Police Apprenticeship
Progress into a Policing Degree
Or gain direct entry into the Police (Subject to interview process)

We have excellent feedback from past students on our Access to Higher Education courses and many have gone on to become nurses, midwives, psychologists and radiologists, as well as social workers, probation officers and teachers.