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Public Services Level 2

The BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Preparation for Public Services is designed to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for success when moving towards a career in the uniformed services, for example police force, fire and rescue service, prison service or armed services.

The course allows you to investigate the uniformed services; what they are and what careers are available to you. You will, through the units chosen, find out what people in the different services do in their job roles, how they work and how they interact with each other through multi-agency working.

Units within the course will allow you to discover, for example, the levels of fitness required for each of the uniformed services and the difference between the armed forces, police, fire and rescue service. This course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, practical activities, outside visits and visiting specialist speakers from the industry sector. There will also be workshops and tutorials relating to the assignment programme.

In addition to your main programme, you will also engage in activities to develop your English, maths and employability skills.

***Online application for full-time courses and joint apprenticeships has now ended. We may still have spaces available on some of our programmes, see below for details of how to apply.***

In August, Advice Sessions will be available for those who have applied to start but wish to change their course choice, or are looking to start a full-time further education course with us in September 2022. These will take place from GCSE Results Day on Thursday 25th August 2022, at both our Colchester and Braintree campuses.

Advice Day dates and time slots will be published closer to the time and online bookings will open at 08:30am on Thursday 25th August. You can register your interest in attending an advice session using the link below. We will then email you once dates have been confirmed and bookings are open with sessions available to book.

Register an interest in attending an August Advice Day

I’m looking for an Apprenticeship – what are my options?

There are a number of options available to you at this stage of the application cycle. If you are interested in an Apprenticeship and have a contract offer of employment in place then please choose the option for your age from the below:

15 – 18 years old: Complete Our Late Application Form

19 years or older: Please click the ’19+ Years – How to Apply’ button located on each individual apprenticeship course page, where you will be taken to the application form.

What if I don’t have an employer?

If you do not have a contract offer of employment from an employer in place then there a number of options still available to you:

Apply for a live Apprenticeship Vacancy

We have apprenticeship vacancies available throughout the year in a variety of industries.

View our live vacancies

Join Our Talent Pool

All you have to do is complete and submit our Talent Pool application form, attend a pre-screening assessment/interview and be available when contacted. We will then send your details along with your profile to employers looking for an apprentice, inform you if you are selected and send your guidance to prepare you for interview.

Join our Talent Pool

Access to Apprenticeships - 6 month Functional Skills and Employability programme

Access to Apprenticeships – 6 month Functional Skills and Employability programme

This course is aimed at any prospective student who wishes to progress onto an apprenticeship, but does not meet the relevant entry criteria for a course, or needs to develop the necessary work based learning skills.

Maths and English can often be seen as a barrier to success on an apprenticeship, and this programme will see students working in a supportive environment to achieve Functional Skills to a level 2 standard (GCSE 4 equivalent).

Students must have a requirement to achieve English/maths at Level 2 and will work towards achieving a Functional skill in either/both English and maths. Applicants who have already achieved a 4(C) GCSE grade in both subjects will not be accepted onto the course.

Access to Apprenticeships – Find out more

Course Info
Do I have to pay a fee?
How to make an Application
Other courses in this area
Course Content

BTEC  Level 2 in Preparation for Public Services units may include:

  • Health and Fitness for Entry to the Uniformed Public Services
  • Expedition and Land Navigation Skills
  • Employment in the Uniformed Public Services
  • Crime & its Effects on Society
  • Community and Cultural Awareness
  • Public Service Skills and Support for the Community
  • Security Procedures in the Public Services
  • Activities and Teamwork for the Public Services
Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs (9-3) including English and Maths, or satisfactory results (Merit/Distinction) in a relevant Level 1 qualification and an interview.

Career Opportunities

A wide range of careers in the uniformed services and related areas.

All students aged 16-18 on the first day of their course will have their course fully-funded by the government.

Costs of studying

If you are/will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August in the calendar year when you begin a programme of study, you DO NOT pay tuition fees, College registration fees or examination/board registration fees. However, there are some courses which have additional costs which could include:

  • equipment costs – such as uniforms, kits, boots, etc.
  • trips and enrichment activities
  • DBS checks (formerly CRB checks)

For students with an identified low household income, there may be financial support available. Bursary awards can help with your course related costs such as travel, books and equipment and much more.

Aged 19+ - Fees and Funding

If you are aged 19 and over, in certain circumstances you may be eligible for a fee waiver and therefore you will not have to pay for this course. 

Eligibility for a fee waiver will depend your age at the start of the course, your previous qualifications, your employment status and whether you claim certain benefits.

If you do not meet the criteria for a fee waiver, you may be eligible for some assistance from the College’s Bursary Funds, depending on the household financial circumstances.

If you do not meet the criteria for a fee waiver, and are not eligible for assistance from the Bursary Fund, you will have to pay for this course.

Published course fees for this course are located further down this course information page.

Aged 19+ - Do I have to pay a fee?

The information in this section applies to this course, and may not apply to other courses with different funding criteria.

You will not pay tuition fees if you are:
aged 19-24 on the 31st August 2022 and have an active Education, Health and Care Plan
aged 19 – 23, and already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and are unemployed and in receipt of benefits
aged over 24, unemployed and in receipt of benefits
aged 19-23, already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and are employed with a gross annual salary under £17,374 per annum
aged over 24 and are employed with a gross annual salary under £17,374 per annum

You will pay the published fee (where part of the fee is paid by the government) if you are:
aged 19-23, already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and are unemployed but do not claim a benefit
aged 19-23, already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and earn over £17,374 per annum
aged over 24 and are unemployed but do not claim a benefit
aged over 24 and are employed with a gross annual salary over £17,374 per annum
If you are aged 19-23 and do not already have a level 2 qualification in any other subject or 5 GCSEs grades 9 – 4, you will not qualify for any government funding and will pay a considerably higher amount than the published fee.

In certain circumstances, the College’s discretionary bursary fund maybe able to assist with a contribution towards tuition fees. Eligibility to the fund depends on the household’s financial circumstances. Further information regarding the discretionary bursary fund can be found further down this page.

Please note that if you have to pay the full-cost fee, you are unable to access any financial assistance from the College Bursary Fund.

Am I eligible for a bursary?

If you are aged 19 at the start of the course, unemployed and not in receipt of benefits, or employed and earning over £17,374, you may be eligible for assistance with your tuition fees from the College Bursary fund. 

Bursary funds are targeted at households with a net income of under £25,000.

If you are assessed as being eligible for a bursary award to assist with your tuition fees, the award will not exceed 75% of the fee payable and you will be responsible for paying the balance of the fee.

Students of all ages can apply for assistance from the bursary fund for other course related costs, such as transport, meals, books and equipment.

The bursary fund cannot assist with any general living costs nor can it be used as an attendance incentive.

Applications to the fund are not normally considered if the household income exceeds £25,000 but may be considered in some instances if the household is experiencing severe financial hardship.

When can I apply?

16-19 and 19+ Bursary Fund applications for courses starting in the 2022/23 academic year will be open from June 1st 2022.

For courses starting in September 2022, applications should be made by 1st November 2022. If you find yourself in financial hardship after this date it is important that you still contact Student Services. Applications received after 1st November will be considered on a pro-rata basis subject to need and the availability of funds.

Full details of the bursary funds can be found here:

16-18 Bursary Information
19+ Bursary Information

Payment Options

Can I pay in instalments?

Where total course fees exceed £200 you (or your employer, if they are paying your course fees) can choose to pay your fees in instalments through a monthly payment plan.

40% of the fee or £500 (whichever is lower) will be payable at enrolment.

The balance must be paid within 6 months or by the end date if the course is less than 6 months in duration.

Payment in full in advance

Payment should be made in full at the time of enrolment. Acceptable payment methods include Debit Card and Credit Card (excluding American Express). Please note that we are no longer able to accept cash or cheque payments.

How to make an Application – Watch our video guide!

***Online application for full-time courses and joint apprenticeships has now ended. We may still have spaces available on some of our programmes, see below for details of how to apply.***

In August, Advice Sessions will be available for those who have applied to start but wish to change their course choice, or are looking to start a full-time further education course with us in September 2022. These will take place from GCSE Results Day on Thursday 25th August 2022, at both our Colchester and Braintree campuses.

Advice Day dates and time slots will be published closer to the time and online bookings will open at 08:30am on Thursday 25th August. You can register your interest in attending an advice session using the link below. We will then email you once dates have been confirmed and bookings are open with sessions available to book.

Register an interest in attending an August Advice Day

I’m looking for an Apprenticeship – what are my options?

There are a number of options available to you at this stage of the application cycle. If you are interested in an Apprenticeship and have a contract offer of employment in place then please choose the option for your age from the below:

15 – 18 years old: Complete Our Late Application Form

19 years or older: Please click the ’19+ Years – How to Apply’ button located on each individual apprenticeship course page, where you will be taken to the application form.

What if I don’t have an employer?

If you do not have a contract offer of employment from an employer in place then there a number of options still available to you:

Apply for a live Apprenticeship Vacancy

We have apprenticeship vacancies available throughout the year in a variety of industries.

View our live vacancies

Join Our Talent Pool

All you have to do is complete and submit our Talent Pool application form, attend a pre-screening assessment/interview and be available when contacted. We will then send your details along with your profile to employers looking for an apprentice, inform you if you are selected and send your guidance to prepare you for interview.

Join our Talent Pool

Access to Apprenticeships - 6 month Functional Skills and Employability programme

Access to Apprenticeships – 6 month Functional Skills and Employability programme

This course is aimed at any prospective student who wishes to progress onto an apprenticeship, but does not meet the relevant entry criteria for a course, or needs to develop the necessary work based learning skills.

Maths and English can often be seen as a barrier to success on an apprenticeship, and this programme will see students working in a supportive environment to achieve Functional Skills to a level 2 standard (GCSE 4 equivalent).

Students must have a requirement to achieve English/maths at Level 2 and will work towards achieving a Functional skill in either/both English and maths. Applicants who have already achieved a 4(C) GCSE grade in both subjects will not be accepted onto the course.

Access to Apprenticeships – Find out more

Public Services Level 2
Course Outline: designed to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for success when moving towards a career in the uniformed services
LevelLevel 2
LocationColchester
DurationOne Year
Study ModeFull-Time
CampusColchester Campus
Start DateSeptember 2022 - Applications open on 1st October 2021
Fee(s)16-18 year olds: Free
19+: £1,139
Course Enquiry Line: 01206 712 777Course and Application EnquiriesOpen Event UpdatesReceive Updates For Parents & GuardiansFee Exemptions Apply

Other courses in this area

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Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2021-22 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.

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