
Public Services Level 3
Start Date: 1st September 2025

- Length 2 Years
- Study Full Time
- Location West Lancashire College
More about the course
The Level 3 course is a 2-year programme and if successful, it can lead to progression onto a relevant degree at a Higher Education institute, entrance into public services as potential Officers in public services organisations, enter university on a range of courses, apprenticeships or related programmes.
The course consists of a combination of tutored lessons, guest speakers by public service organisations and the development of a range of skills required for entrance into the public services. The course further develops your fitness training to help you in the entrance tests to gaining employment.
There are visits to public organisation centres such as Fire and Rescue Services; Outdoor Activity centres to take part in navigations and activity days at RAF Aintree to develop team building skills.
Entry requirements
- 4 GCSEs at Grade 4-9, including English and/or Maths
What will I achieve?
If you successfully complete this course, you will receive a Extended Diploma in Public Services Level 3.
What will I learn?
- Government, Policies and the Public Services
- Leadership and Teamwork in the Public Services
- Career Planning for the Public Services
- Land Navigation by Map and Compass
- Employment in the Uniformed Public Services
How am I assessed?
- Assignment work
- Projects
- Case studies
- Practical activities
What experience will I have?
- Industrial visits such as the Look at Life programme
- Police Cadetship available
- National Citizenship Service (NCS)
- 24 hour search and rescue event developing navigation and lifesaving skills
- RAF Teamwork activities at Aintree Barracks
- External speakers from the Emergency Services and a variety of universities
- Liverpool Crown Court visits
- Fire and Rescue Service - career advice, use of equipment, visits to Fire and Rescue centres and Road Traffic Collison demonstrations
- Work experience with BTCV and Lancashire Trust
- The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
- National and International trips
- Tawd Valley Rangers
- Explorers
- Police Cadets
Where can I progress?
Upon successful completion of the course, students may wish to progress to Entry in Employment, Higher Education including Degree Apprenticeship or an Apprenticeship.
Course costs
If you are 16-18 years old, you do not have to pay course tuition fees*.
If you need information on any financial support that may be available to you with fees or study costs on this course, please contact Learner Services who can offer advice and assistance on accessing any financial support that may be available.
*Exam and registration fees will be paid by the college subject to satisfactory attendance and course completion.
Contact our team
Meet our Public Services students and tutors

Wendy Bennett
Assistant PrincipalWendy is the Assistant Principal for the 16-18 provision at WLC, overseeing Health, Education and Digital, Creative and Service Industries, Construction and Advanced Engineering. She has extensive experience as a leader and a college manager, working in education for over 20 years. Wendy is the college strategic lead for T Levels and curriculum development, providing passion about the development of the new Study Programmes that enhances progression to higher education or employment for young people. As a leader and manager, Wendy supports colleagues, across all departments and learners, creating opportunities that support the development of the required knowledge, skills and behaviours to become successful members of our community and our wider society by being prepared to make positive personal and professional contributions.

Jonathon Marlow
Public Services LecturerI have worked at West Lancashire College for over 10 years, teaching on a variety of programmes and now, I teach Level 2 and Level 3 Public Services. I have a passion to help young people reach their potential and aim to develop their skills and qualities to move onto further education or employment. I like to encourage learners to develop their teamwork, communication and leadership skills, as well as offer further support to learners through enrichment activities, gym sessions and work experience.

Mike Cooney
Public Services LecturerI have a wealth of educational experience at West Lancashire College. I have helped hundreds of students gain experience on the course, in order to achieve their goals in the Fire, Police or Armed Forces. I have extensive Mountain Rescue and Outdoor Activity knowledge, as well as being Expedition Leader qualified. I teach across all Public Services courses, specialising in Outdoor Activities, navigation, search and rescue skills; along with law and legal system, leadership and teamwork activities and how Public Services deal with major incidents, such as terrorism, health diseases and flooding.

Ryan Smith
Public Services LecturerI’ve had the pleasure of working at West Lancashire College for over 10 years, after studying my degree in Sports Coaching and playing semi-professional sport. I thoroughly enjoy organising an array of trips and visits for the students to succeed and develop in both practical environments, as well as in the classroom. With my key links to employers in the Public Services industry, I can offer our students a variety of knowledge and introduce them to their potential future role.

Diana
Public Services Level 3 StudentWest Lancashire College has provided me with a stable foundation, as it does for all of its students, enabling them to venture into any career or field of study that they wish to pursue. I am now studying at Edge Hill University.

Rebeca
Public Services Level 3 StudentI decided to attend West Lancashire College as I had heard from a friend that it’s a good college. As I’ve always wanted to join the police force, I decided to choose Public Services, which has helped me to gain skills, knowledge and the correct behaviour into pursing my future career. The Army training and navigation walks that have been organised for the course have really helped me to understand that this is the right path for me. My next steps are attending John Moores University to study Professional Policing.
What can I do with a qualification in Public Services?
Careers for this subject will be updated soon.
Uniformed Public Services at West Lancashire College

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West Lancashire College
Thursday 1st May 2025
4:30pm - 7:00pm

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Tuesday 24th June 2025
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