BTEC Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services
Course Code: Q100182
Key Information
Course type:
Vocational
Campus:
Sixth Form Campus
Start Date:
07 Sept 2026
Duration:
2 Years
Attendance:
Full-time
Fees:
Free

Are you ready to roll your sleeves up and pursue a career in the uniformed protective services> The Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services at City of Portsmouth College provides the ultimate challenge.
Equivalent to two A Levels, this physically demanding course will help develop your leadership and teamwork skills and can be completed via two pathways – the Armed Forces Pathway, and the Blue Light Pathway. In both, you'll learn about government policies, leadership and teamwork, citizenship and diversity, discipline, and undertake fitness testing and training for the uniformed public services. You'll also undertake pathway-relevant trips to boost your learning.
About the Armed Forces Pathway
You'll get an insight to life in the armed forces through participation in the college's Combined Cadet Force (CCF). You'll practice and undertake the Royal Navy recruitment test, weekly fitness testing at HMS Temeraire and a cadet fitness instructor course.
The CCF runs alongside your course and provides a valuable opportunity to learn military skills and develop your teamworking ability. On completion of this course, you will be able to apply to an Armed Force of your choice.
About the Blue Light Pathway
Alongside this diploma, you'll choose subjects like criminology, applied law, medical science and applied psychology, based on your intended career path.
The areas you will study may change to reflect any additional subjects you choose to combine with this course.
You'll also gain an additional BTEC in either criminology or law and complete in-depth studies concerning crime and the psychological reasoning behind criminal behaviour. Upon completion, you'll be able to apply to one of the blue light services or other armed forces. University will also be an option for those wanting to develop academically, as the course provides you with extra UCAS points.
A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English language. For the Armed Forces Pathway, an interest in the armed forces is essential and knowledge of potential career pathways is desirable. Similarly for the Blue Light Pathway, an interest in the blue light services (police/ambulance/fire/coastguard) is essential and knowledge of potential career pathways is desirable.
You will have a 9.55am start, one lesson in the morning, one in the afternoon and a guaranteed 4.00pm finish. You will also have at least one morning and one afternoon per week free for private study.
Assessments will comprise 60% personal investigation and 40% externally set practical exam. Your coursework is internally assessed and externally moderated.
On completion of this course, you can progress into a role in the uniformed protective services such as police, emergency services and the armed forces.
We work hard to keep our course information up to date. Occasionally we may make small changes to course content, start dates, locations or fees to keep our courses current and relevant. If anything important changes after you apply, we’ll always let you know.
Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services
We work hard to keep our course information up to date. Occasionally we may make small changes to course content, start dates, locations or fees to keep our courses current and relevant. If anything important changes after you apply, we’ll always let you know.
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