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If you're a natural born leader and a good communicator, you could consider a career in public services.
Our programme combines theoretical and written work with practical participation, and is designed to help you pass the selection processes of a number of public service organisations.
You'll be taught within a disciplined environment by highly experienced tutors, including a former police officer and an ex-marine. Using the excellent training facilities on campus, you'll develop your leadership and teamwork skills whilst improving your physical fitness.
Award: Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Public Services
UCAS Code: P26S
Location: Bolton College – Deane Road
Location of Placement: N/A
Awarding Body: Pearson
Professional body accreditations: None
Duration: 2 Years (full-time)
Academic Year 1: TBC September 2018 – TBC June 2019
Academic Year 2: TBC September 2019 – TBC June 2020
Full time study: When studied full time the duration of the course will be over 2 semesters per year. As a full time student you will be expected to study 14 units over the 2 year programme: this equates to 7 units per year. The timetabled classes will take place 2 days per week. The qualification requires that you gain a minimum of 245 credits, of which all are mandatory core units.
Work placements/experience: You will have the opportunity to gain work based experience by undertaking voluntary work within the portfolio of partnerships we have within the public sector.
Timetables are normally available one month before enrolment. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are a student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Further details of scheduled classes can be obtained from your course leader: Email Tim.Woodward@boltoncc.ac.uk
Additional requirements: You will be expected to have an interview with the course leader prior to starting the course. The course leader will be able to explain in more depth the requirements and commitments that are needed to successfully complete the course.
Credit transfer or accreditation of prior learning or experience: If you have already achieved a qualification that is comparable to this course, you may be able to gain credit/s for comparable units. If you think you have relevant work experience that you want to be considered for accreditation then this may be taken into account. Further information is available at our Accreditation of Prior Learning page
Public Service careers are rewarding but demanding. If you are keen to enter a profession allied to public services – perhaps as a Police Officer or by taking on a role in the field of criminology – then this course will enable you to prepare for this. The course will equip you with a sound understanding of how public services and allied professions can impact on society, from both a theoretical and practical perspective. It also offers a foundation on which to build skills and knowledge you will need to get a job in the uniformed or non-uniformed public services sector.
This course combines theory and written work with an active-based programme that is closely linked to the emergency services and allied professions. The teaching team includes knowledgeable tutors with an academic background and ex-professionals who have first-hand experience of policing. You will have access to voluntary opportunities via our partnerships with external organisations, helping you to develop core competencies and enhance your employability.
Throughout the 2 year course you will gain knowledge and understanding; practical, professional and subject specific skills. You will develop cognitive, intellectual and thinking skills; and you will gain valuable key, personal and transferable skills. In order for you to develop and enhance your employability skills, taught, developed, and assessed learning will involve crucial skills such as: communication, teamwork, organising and planning, numeracy, problem solving, flexibility and adaptability, action planning, self-awareness, initiative, personal impact and confidence, environmental sustainability, and social, public and ethical responsibility.
In line with Pearson BTEC requirements the Level 5 HND programme must contain a minimum of 125 credits at level 5.
This module/Unit map provides a list of modules that make up your course. Each module/unit is worth a specified number of credits: you take a combination of compulsory and optional modules/units, enabling you to cover key subject knowledge while developing some of your own interests. You must take modules/units worth a total of 245 credits overall.
Our teaching is informed by research and experience, and modules/units change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. You can always find the most up-to-date information about your modules/units and who is teaching them in the module guides or by contacting your course leader.
If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module/unit, this may not be offered. Typically, if low student numbers or changes in staff availability result in changes of options offered, we will advise you as soon as possible and help you chose an alternative module/unit.
The course combines ALL of the following modules:
| Module Code | Module Title |
Core/ |
Credits |
| Year 1 (HE4) | |||
| A/616/7177 | Organisational Structures and Culture | C |
15 |
| A616/7180 | Equality Diversity and Fair Treatment | C | 15 |
|
T/616/7193 |
Crime and Substance Misuse | O | 15 |
| L/616/7183 | Terrorism and Counter Terrorism | O | 15 |
| F/616/7178 | Mental Health and Wellbeing | C | 15 |
| Y/616/7204 | Third Sector and Public Services | O | 15 |
| T/616/7209 | Psychology of Behaviour | O | 15 |
| F/616/7181 | Public Services in Contemporary Society | C | 15 |
| Year 2 (HE5) | |||
| M/616/7211 | Research Project | C | 30 |
| J/616/7215 | Serious and Organised Crime | O | 15 |
| L/616/7216 | Justice, Punishment and Rehabilitation | O | 15 |
| H/616/7237 | International Policing | O | 15 |
| A/616/7244 | Applied Forensic Psychology | O | 15 |
| A/616/7213 | Reflective Professional Practice | C | 15 |
| D/616/7236 | Cyber Security | O | 15 |
| Optional courses are selected by the College | |||
Module Guides: Module Guides can be found by following the link https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-higher-nationals/public-services-2018.html
You can find out all information relating to each module in Module Guides.
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, around 10 hours’ independent learning per module per week, and assessment activity plus field trips, with each credit taken equating to a total study time of around hours. While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional module/units you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each year of the course.
Year 1: 45 per cent of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity and 55% of your time is spent on independent learning.
Teaching, learning and assessment: 15 hours per week
Independent learning: 10 hours per module per week
Year 2: 52 per cent of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity and 48% of your time is spent on independent learning.
Teaching, learning and assessment: 15 hours per week
Independent learning: 10 hours per module per week
Academic support: our academic support team provide help in the following areas:
Study skills (including reading, note-taking, presentations, Turnitin requirements, in conjunction with the library)
Written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills (in conjunction with the library)
Critical thinking and understanding arguments
Revision, assessment and examination skills if required
Our Learner Support service helps students with additional needs resulting from disabilities such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
Teaching staff: You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules/units on the course. The team includes academic tutors, professional practitioners with industry experience, and technical personnel when relevant. The teaching is informed by the research and industry experience of our team and 100 per cent of tutors have a teaching qualification.
The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark or grade. Each module/unit will normally contain at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you will receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades/marks you receive for them do not count toward your module/unit mark or grade.
There is a formal or ‘summative assessment at the end of each module/unit. Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessment such as exams, essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, and final year major project. The grades from the formal assessments count towards your module/unit mark or grade.
Percentage of course assessed by coursework: The balance of assessment by either examination or coursework assessment depends to some extent on the optional module/units you take. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by course work is as follows:
|
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
|
|
Written exams
|
14% |
8% |
|
Coursework
|
86% |
92% |
Feedback: You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examinations performance is available upon request from the module/unit leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module/unit tutor.
We aim to provide you with feedback within 10 working days of hand-in (practice assessment) and 10 working days of hand-in (formal coursework assessment).
There are a number of comfortable and contemporary Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) at Bolton College, here to support the needs of learners and staff by providing quality resources for independent or group study.
The LRCs at Deane Road are among the most technologically advanced in the country, featuring:
In all of the college LRCs, our staff are available to provide you with advice and support. Bolton College are proud of the friendly, responsive, innovative and proactive service that we provide. Out of college hours, the quality of learning support is excellent.
If you'd like to know more about the accessibility of our LRCs via Disabled Go:
Click here for information on the Deane Road LRC
Click here for information on the Construction & Arts Block LRC 
The Virtual Learning Environment
Moodle is an on-line gateway to all sorts of information about college courses. Wherever or whenever you want to learn, you will find assignment details, tests, and links to websites, videos and forums. Through Moodle, Bolton College is able to support your learning even when you are not in the classroom. Many students find this to be a convenient and enjoyable way to learn.
The Library tab on Moodle allows you to access the library catalogue, e-books, e-magazines, and many specialist websites: You can also find information on how to book a computer, how to renew books online, library opening times and much more.
Technology - an exciting way to learn
Bolton College recognises the need to keep up-to-date with technology which is why we like to give you the edge in all learning experiences. You can read more about the equipment in use around the college on our Technology page.
For further information visit our Learning Resource Centre facilities page
Fees:
The following course-related costs are included in the fees:
The following course-related costs are not included in the fees:
Accommodation and living costs are not included in the fees.
Sources of financial support: If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained from Student Services about how to fund you course OR https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/overview AND https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/content.php?r=5659-Student-Finance
In addition to being able to apply for student loan if you are doing a Foundation Degree, a Full time HNC or HND, you can apply for a Student Loan for doing a part time HE course such as a HNC: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/parttime-students
Bursaries, scholarships and prizes: The College also provides Progression Awards for students who progress from a level 3 Bolton College course onto a HE Bolton College course. For further information visit our bursaries page.
Useful links for Bolton College Regulations, Policies and Procedures: If you need information regarding any of the HE policies and procedures or how to make a complaint or appeal then please visit our key strategies and framework page.
Many students progress on to top-up qualifications to gain a full degree, or on to related employment. Career opportunities exists across the Police Service, the security industry, immigration, MI5, British Transport Police, British Nuclear Fuel, Retail Security, Corporate Security, HM Revenue & Customs, Military Police and Ministry of Defence Police, along with UK Border Agency, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Marines, the Prison Service, Group Four (G4S) and the Fire & Rescue Service.
In the first instance, please complete the UCAS Application Form on the UCAS website. Offers are made based on the content of the form, followed by an interview with the course leader. If you are late in applying to UCAS then please contact Tim Woodward (Course Leader) and request a HE Application Form, or apply online, simply click here to complete an application form.
For any course queries, please contact:
Tim Woodward (Course Leader)
Tel: 01204 482 623
Email: Tim.Woodward@boltoncc.ac.uk
For any queries regarding the application process, please contact:
Admissions Office
Tel: 01204 482 181
Email: admissions@boltoncc.ac.uk
