Uniformed Protective Services (Extended Diploma) - Level 3

Overview

IMPORTANT
Applications are now open for academic year 2026/2027, but our full-time courses are still being finalised. If your chosen course changes, we'll contact you to offer a suitable alternative that matches your goals. For more information, call our Enquiries Team on 0808 100 3626.

This course is designed for individuals passionate about serving their communities and pursuing leadership roles within uniformed protective services such as:

• Police, Fire, and Ambulance Services.
• Armed forces (Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force)
• Prison Service, HM Customs and Excise, Merchant Navy
• Security Organisations.

Real-world employer connections

• Armed Forces Engagement Teams regularly organise activity days.
• Guest speakers from the Police share invaluable insights.
• Visits to local services, such as Mansfield Fire Station.
• Links to further opportunities, including the Ambulance Technician course at Nottingham Trent University.

Specialist facilities

• Train like the professionals in our state-of-the-art outdoor gym. Equipped to military standards including dip bars, jump platforms, pull-up and muscle bars, climbing ropes and battle ropes
• This fitness equipment, identical to that used by UK and US military forces, is designed to help you meet the physical demands of a protective services career.

What will I study?

Year 1 (Foundation)

• Citizenship and diversity
• Physical preparation, health and wellbeing
• Government and the protective services
• Skills for outdoor activities and the uniformed protective services
• Minimum 40 hours work placement*.

Year 2 (Extended)

• Global affairs, the media and the uniformed protective services
• Government and the protective services
• Planning for and responding to emergency services
• Developing personal fitness programmes
• Principles of managing security
• Police powers and the Law
• Professional development in the uniform protective services
• Minimum 40 hours work placement*.

*Work placements are a vital and mandatory part of your study programme, helping you apply what you learn in college to a real workplace.

• Gain valuable career insights
• Develop key skills such as communication, time management, and teamwork
• Improve your CV and employability.

What our students say

UPS student, Amelie Nichol, put her skills to the test as she recently took part in the prestigious Polar Bear Challenge alongside other UPS students, hosted by the Army Engagement Team at Chetwynd Barracks.

“Taking part in the Polar Bear Challenge was such an enjoyable experience and a real eye-opener. The day was packed with a wide variety of hurdles that tested everything from our physical stamina to our mental agility and communication skills. It offered us a genuine "day in the life" perspective on what it takes to serve in the Army.

My favourite part of the day was the DCCT training, we were taught how to hold and shoot a weapon in the correct form. Then shoot at the target in front of us, it was very entertaining and enjoyable with the inclusion of it being educational. I left the experience feeling satisfied that I had learned something. Throughout the day we were constantly asking questions about careers and backgrounds which was incredibly insightful, they shared with us their stories and experiences within the army, it was very interesting to hear.

I absolutely think that taking part in these kinds of external challenges are important. This year alone I have been on over a dozen trips to various places all linking to Uniformed Protective Services. Every one of them has taught me something new and have been undoubtedly rewarding. A break from the classroom is always nice and personally for me I prefer learning by participating in physical tasks and challenges as opposed to reading and writing. So, to be offered the opportunity to do these sorts of things is something I am very grateful for.

“When I leave college, I’d like to pursue a career in the police, whether that is army police or a specialist role within the police force like crime scene investigating or firearms officer. There are so many careers within the police, I would like to explore as many as I can so I can get the most experience I possibly can and have the most fun doing it. I’ve always been interested in the police since I was young and always had my heart kind of set on it, I really hope to get in, in the future and I know that college has prepared me for this.”