Protective Services

Level 3

01 Sep 2025

18 - 24 Months

KNIGHTSTONE CAMPUS

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Protective Services, Extended Diploma

If you have a passion for protecting and serving others, the Protective Services Extended Diploma offers a comprehensive and specialised programme to launch your career in the field of public safety and security. Whether you see yourself as a security officer, prison officer, or private investigator, this diploma will provide you with the necessary skills, knowledge, and practical experience to excel in the diverse and demanding world of protective services. Through a combination of hands-on training, theoretical study, and real-life simulations, you will develop a deep understanding of risk assessment, conflict resolution, emergency response, and crime prevention strategies. You will also cover government policies, citizenship, diversity and leadership, and get the opportunity to focus on a specialist unit.

Our programme emphasises hands-on learning, from mock emergency situations to physical fitness drills. You will engage in a diverse range of practical training, theoretical study, and real-life experiences, ensuring that you are fully prepared for the challenges you will face in your future career. Our dedicated team of instructors brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from their own experiences in the uniformed services. They will guide you every step of the way, offering valuable mentorship and support as you progress through the programme.

By joining our Public Services Career Excellence Hub, you will have unrivalled access to potential employers, including the Army, Navy, RAF, Royal Marines, Fire Service, and Police. Through guest lectures, trips, and work experience, you will gain valuable insight into the industry and meet people who can help shape your career.

Additionally, we organise adventurous outdoor residential trips and experiences such as camping, canoeing, orienteering, abseiling, and climbing to enhance your learning experience, build your physical fitness, and develop your problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. Acquiring the skills that employers need will give you a competitive advantage in your chosen field.

The College facilities include a climbing and bouldering wall, fitness suite, and 3G pitch. We are conveniently located by the beach and Weston Woods, which allows you to complete beach runs and orienteering activities. In addition to technical skills, we focus on nurturing your personal growth and resilience. You will develop self-discipline, adaptability, and confidence, empowering you to overcome challenges and thrive in high-pressure situations.

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE INVOLVE

As well as studying key topics, you can also improve fitness levels and develop independent thinking, critical analysis, research skills and teamwork skills.

Examples of modules include:

Citizenship and diversity
Behaviour and discipline
Global affairs and the media
Physical preparation, health, and wellbeing
Teamwork, leadership, and communication
Government and the protective services
Planning for and responding to emergency incidents
Sociological perspectives
Skills for outdoor activities
Introduction to criminology

As part of this study programme, you will develop your maths and English skills, attend tutorials and Individual Development (ID). You will also complete a work placement or extended industry placement. All aspects of your study programme will be discussed at your interview.

ASSESSMENT METHOD

This qualification is assessed by exams, coursework, presentations, and practical activities.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

This programme could lead to a career in the armed, public, or emergency services. You could also enhance your skills by progressing to the BA (Hons) Uniformed and Public Services at the University Centre Weston.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9-4 including English and maths.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Ready to apply – please use the ‘apply now’ button at the top of this page.

I’d like to visit and see the facilities and chat to staff – see when our next open event is here: EVENTS | Weston College

I have a quick question – use our Live Chat facility on the bottom right of this page.

Category & Subject Area

Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds Protective Services

iAn interview is required for this course.

Fees Information

Level 2 Qualifications

This course may be Free* if you live in the South West of England and:

You are defined by the Adult Education Board (AEB) as being unemployed because one of the following applies:
- receive Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), including those receiving National Insurance credits only
- receive Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- receive Universal Credit and your take home pay, as recorded on your Universal Credit statement (disregarding Universal Credit payment and other benefits) is less than £345 a month (learner is sole adult in the benefit claim) or £552 a month (learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner)
- are released on temporary licence, studying outside a prison environment, and not funded by the Ministry of Justice
You are employed, or self-employed, and earn less than £18,525.00 annual gross salary.

Level 3 Qualifications

This course is Free* if:

The qualification you have chosen to study is part of the Legal Entitlements list and you are aged 19-23 at the start of your course and you do not already have a qualification at Level 3 or higher. From April 2021, any adult aged 24 and over who wants to achieve their first full level 3 qualification will be able to access certain courses we run for free.

The full fee is payable if:

this is not your first full level 3

the qualification you wish to study isn’t on the approved list of level 3 qualifications the College can run for free.

However, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Apprenticeships - Information for Employers

The cost of apprenticeships will be split into 30 funding bands ranging from £1,500 to £27,000. The prices will depend on the type of apprenticeship and the level it is taught at, and are negotiable with your training provider.

For 98% of employers, the reforms mean that employing an apprentice will be better value for money than ever before. Small businesses will only have to pay 5% of the training costs, with the Government picking up the remaining 95%. In some cases, the Government will fully fund apprenticeships for small businesses.

Click here for more information about how the reforms and levy will affect your company.

Advanced Learner Loans

You may be eligible to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from Student Finance England, to fund the cost of your course. For further information and to check eligibility, please follow the links below:

Other Important information

While every care has been made to ensure the accuracy of our prospectuses and website, errors may occur from time to time resulting in incorrect information / fees being shown / printed.

Fees quoted online and in our prospectuses are for the current academic year only, and are subject to change – two and three-year courses will have fees to pay again in subsequent years.
You may still need to buy a uniform/kit which is your professional start-up kits or pay professional/personal memberships and all students will need to provide a National Insurance number and up-to-date proof of benefits, if applicable, at the time of enrolment.
Please click here for our current term dates.

If you are 16-18 years old on the 31st August in the current academic year, this course is usually Free.
Students who are EU/EEA or Swiss Citizens who have lived in the UK before 1 January 2021 who do not have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK or haven’t applied for the EU Settlement Scheme and been granted pre-settled or settled status – please contact the College Registrar on 01934 411 531 for advice on appropriate UKVI student visa fees before you enrol.

Refunds

Full refunds will be payable if we need to cancel a course.
Tuition fee refunds are payable if you change your mind within 14 days of enrolling on your course and before the start of the course (10% of tuition fee or £25 administration fee whichever is larger will be charged).

If you change your mind about a course before it starts or during the first three weeks, we will happily transfer you to an alternative course - you may need to pay any difference in fees or have a credit note issued to you if the course is cheaper.
If you wish to withdraw from a course you can request a credit note for the remaining proportion of the tuition fees to a maximum of 50% of tuition fees paid (a £25 administration fee will be charged). Credit notes are valid for one calendar year.
There are different terms and conditions for Higher Education courses - please call 01934 411 409 for further details.

Discretionary Learner Support Fund

This is a College-administered fund which can support some costs associated with attending qualification courses. It is mean-tested against gross household income and limited in its amount per learner. For further information please contact Student Services on 01934 411 571.

Occupations related to Protective Services, Extended Diploma

Officer in Armed Forces

Officers in armed forces serve as commissioned officers in Her Majesty’s armed forces, foreign and Commonwealth armed forces; plan, direct, organise and administer military operations; and perform duties for which there is no civilian equivalent.

Average annual earnings: £0
Employment in region: 0 positions

Senior Police Officer

Senior police officers plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the resources and activities of a specific geographical or functional area of generalised or specialised police work. Senior officers of the British Transport Police direct the specialised police service for the railway network across Britain.

Average annual earnings: £52,696
Employment in region: 269 positions

Senior Officer in Fire, Ambulance, Prison or Related Services

Fire officers plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources of a specific physical or functional area of a statutory or private fire brigade/service and the resources necessary for the protection of property at fires within a salvage corps area. Ambulance officers plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the resources necessary for the provision of ambulance services. Prison officers (principal officer and above) plan, organise, direct, and co-ordinate the activities and resources necessary for the running of a prison, remand or detention centre. Customs officers plan and direct the work of customs, excise and immigration staff in the monitoring and inspection of goods and persons crossing national borders.

Average annual earnings: £38,926
Employment in region: 234 positions

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What our Students say

Kacper

Uniformed Protective Services, Level 3 Extended Diploma

Work experience with the Army was beneficial as it allowed me to enhance my knowledge and improve skills that would be required for my chosen career path, whilst also gaining an understanding of potential options I could have in life

Read my story

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