Public Services BTEC Extended Diploma Level 3
September 2025 start

Our full-time study programmes are designed to maximise your career prospects and widen your options for further or higher study.

If you are a natural-born leader, a good communicator or enjoy being part of a highly-motivated team, you could consider a career in the Public Services. The Level 3 is a two-year course, based on practical participation and designed to help you to pass the selection processes of a number of public service organisations.

You’ll benefit from a two days per week work placement programme, giving you essential skills and improving your career prospects.

Taught within a disciplined environment, and using the excellent training facilities on campus, you will develop your leadership and teamwork skills whilst improving your physical fitness. You’ll also get to take advantage of an extensive enrichment programme, with activities designed to help you to put your skills into practice (such as army residentials, Yorkshire Three Peaks Walk and visits to the Manchester Velodrome).

Your course will cover a variety of different topics, which may include:

Year 1
• Government, Policies & the Public Services
• Leadership & Teamwork in the Public Services
• Understanding Discipline in the Uniformed Public Services (UPS)
• Fitness Testing & Training for the UPS
• Citizenship, Diversity & the Public Services
• Command & Control in the UPS
• Physical Preparation, Health & Lifestyle for the Public Services
• Crime & its Effects on Society
• Functional Skills

Year 2
• Responding to Emergency Services Incidents
• Exercise, Health & Lifestyle
• Functional Skills
• Planning & Management of Major Incidents
• Aspects of the Legal System & Law-making Process
• Instructing Physical Activity & Exercise
• Communication & Technology in the UPS
• Security Procedures in the Public Services

Free Additional Qualifications
• Sports Leaders Award Level 2
• Gym Instructing Level 2
• Higher Sports Leaders Level 3

We encourage our students to continue their English & maths study to Level 3.

Elements of Study
Your programme consists of the following elements:
• Study of your chosen vocational subject (50% of your programme)
• English and maths (continued until the achievement of GCSE grade 4 (C) or equivalent)
• Employability skills (e.g. punctuality, attendance, communication and team work)
• Work experience (giving you a taste of working life)
• Tutorial & personal development (e.g. healthy living, volunteering and citizenship skills)
• Fitness testing
• Fitness, health and lifestyle development

You’ll be asked to complete a variety of assignments for each topic - some theoretical and some practical. Many assignments require you to visit facilities and observe activities taking place.
BONUS: there are no formal exams!

In the first instance please send a message to publicservices@boltoncc.ac.uk

You need to speak to one of our tutors before you can enrol on to this course therefore, please use the 'apply' button on this screen to register your interest. Once we have your details we will send you a text with a link to book a telephone interview. Please be aware that when a tutor calls you our number will appear as unknown/with-held/private.

Alongside your studies, you’ll have a unique opportunity to be part of the University of Bolton’s EXCEED programme.
This will give you a range of additional skills and experiences, and includes masterclasses; university visits; access to industry experts; and mentoring and support with your university application, perfect for that next step into Higher Education.
After you have completed the course you could progress on to a Higher Education course at college or university, or explore the possibility of doing a Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4).
Check out opportunities at the University of Bolton by
visiting www.bolton.ac.uk
Following further study you could work as:
• A Health & Safety Adviser where you could earn
between £22,000 and £35,000 a year, depending on
experience.
• A Police Officer, earning between £19,000 and £37,000
a year, depending on your experience.
• A Civil Service Administration Officer, earning between
£15,000 ad £24,500 a year.
• A British Army Officer earning up to £52,000 depending
on rank.

Sitting a job interview, writing a personal statement, applying for university - taking part in our enrichment programme will give you a CV to wow in all of these situations! You’ll benefit from departmental and cross-college enrichment with:

• Inspiring trips and experiences
• Meetings with industry experts
• Visits to leading companies in your sector

As well as giving you essential professional and technical skills, you’ll demonstrate that you’re a successful and well-rounded person, helping you to make a lasting impression.

We want you to have fun, so we also have plenty of leisure and sporting activities for you to enjoy, improving your health and wellbeing

You'll have your own Learning Development Mentor (LDM) and Work Placement Officer, helping you create both academic and career plans.

Thanks to our partnership with the University of Bolton, you'll also benefit from everything the University has to offer, with a range of opportunities to build additional skills and experiences, giving you everything you need to become a FUTURE SUCCESS in whichever field you choose!

Exposure to employers is also an integral part of this programme – we'll seek to ensure that you have opportunities to gain real-word experience of your sector, either on short work experience or an extended Industry placement.

We’re an elite College, and part of the University of Bolton Group, offering you a gateway to all of Greater Manchester’s vast range of fantastic opportunities for specialist careers, university degree courses and higher Apprenticeships.

We’ll reward your achievements with trips to The Anderton Outdoor Activity Centre and the opportunity to apply for the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Our £75 million campus offers a refurbished fitness suite and sports hall; Apple Mac suites; libraries, a lecture theatre; hair and beauty salon; and a restaurant, café and canteen.

You’ll also enjoy a wide range of events, including showcases, enterprise activities and cultural celebrations.

You may qualify for a college bursary or financial support from Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust (LTCT), access more information here: LTCT Financial Support

Click the yellow ‘Apply’ button on this page.

You’ll be asked to set up a Learner Hub account so that you can track your application and enrol online. You’ll also be asked to book your interview for your course at the same time.

If you have any difficulties setting up your Learner Hub account, please email learner.hub@boltoncc.ac.uk

Open Events are the best way to discover what life as a Bolton College student is like, giving you an insight into College life.

Open Events at our Deane Road Campus are as follows:

• Tuesday 17th October 2023, 5pm-8pm
• Wednesday 15th November 2023, 5pm-8pm
• Thursday 14th December 2023, 5pm-8pm
• Tuesday 6th February 2024, 5pm-8pm

If you’d like to attend one of these events, register by visiting here

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.