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Level 3 Extended Diploma For Entry To Uniformed Services
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Overview
Equivalent to 3 A-Levels, this course contains a blend of academic skills and opportunities for you to acquire a range of practical and personal skills.
The course is designed for students wanting to pursue a career in the Armed Forces, Fire Service, Prison Service or other Uniformed Service. You will experience a range of exciting units that contain a blend of theoretical and practical learning.
This programme includes fitness sessions to develop the individual’s needs to enable them to pass their services fitness entrance test which includes a mixture of academic and practical studies. An all-weather study programme, you should be prepared to learn in challenging conditions in different learning environments on campus.
How you’ll learn
Units you may study include:
Year 1:
- Preparing for a career in Uniformed Services
- Developing aspects of physical fitness for entry to the Uniformed Services
- Developing leadership skills
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Carrying out map reading and navigation across open country
- Outdoor and adventurous expeditions
- Telecommunications in the Uniformed Services
- Mental and physical wellbeing
- Conflict management
Year 2:
- Skills for land-based outdoor, water-based outdoor and adventurous activities
- Crime scene investigation
- Hierarchy of the services
- Security procedures
- Collaboration between Uniformed Services
- Emergency planning and response in the uniformed services
- War and conflict
- Understanding discipline
Entry and progression
What you need and where it leads
- Entry requirements
- This course Level 3
- Further study
Entry requirements
Grade 4 in maths & English at GCSE.
Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.
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See all 4 courses
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Careers it can lead to
- Security Guards and Related Occupations £27,500 a year
- Fire Service Officers (Watch Manager and Below) £37,000 a year
- Police Officers (Sergeant and Below) £46,500 a year
- Ambulance Staff (Excluding Paramedics) £27,800 a year
See all 8 careers
- NCOs and Other Ranks
- Prison Service Officers (Below Principal Officer) £30,500 a year
- Health and Safety Managers and Officers £41,500 a year
With further study or experience
- Senior Officers in Fire, Ambulance, Prison and Related Services £55,900 a year
Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).
Life on the course
See what it’s really like
Student Voice
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“I think the best part about being at College is meeting new people and having the new opportunities. When I leave College I would like to be a police officer.”
For parents and carers
Supporting your child’s journey
A Friendly, Welcoming Place
Students are often surprised by how friendly and welcoming college is. It's a supportive community where they'll build genuine friendships and feel part of something.
About student lifeLearning Support
If your child has additional learning needs, our support team works with them from day one. Adjustments are put in place early so they can get the most out of their course.
About learning supportGCSE Support Built In
If your child needs to resit GCSE English or Maths, it's built into the timetable, not bolted on as an extra. They'll get structured support alongside their main course.
Learn moreQualifications That Count
These are nationally recognised qualifications with real academic weight. Your child will develop practical skills and knowledge that employers and universities genuinely value.
Your next step
Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.
Want to visit first?
FE Open Event – 19th January 202719th January 4:30pm to 7:00pm
Got a question?
Ask us about the course, entry requirements or funding.
Call 01724 281 111
What happens after you apply
1
You apply
Apply online and you’ll get a confirmation email.
2
You meet your tutor
We’ll invite you to an interview to talk through the course and your plans, and make sure it’s right for you.
3
You get an offer
We’ll email you a conditional or unconditional offer.
4
You get ready to start
Come to a taster session in the summer, then enrol in August, bringing your results.