School leaver

Start Date: Duration: Level: Study mode: Course Location: Course Type:
September 1 Year Level 3 Full-Time Bede Campus Full-time Vocational Apply Enquire

What’s it all about?

Prepare yourself for a challenging and rewarding journey into the uniformed services. This qualification offers an excellent foundation for those passionate about pursuing careers in the armed forces, emergency services, or related professions. You’ll develop key skills like leadership, teamwork, and communication through practical activities and classroom learning, equipping you for the physical and mental demands of these roles.
With a focus on discipline, fitness, and service knowledge, this qualification helps you stand out in selection processes, boosting your confidence and readiness. Whether you're driven to protect, serve, or lead, this course is the perfect step to begin achieving your goals in this vital and respected sector.

You will need 4 GCSE's at grade 4-9 including Maths and English. Or a relevant Level 2 qualification.

You will also need to be medically fit without any condition that would prevent you from joining the uniformed services.

Study level Cost Additional fees
16-18 Free You will need to provide your own stationery and you will be given the opportunity to take part in trips and visits. Students are also required to wear a uniform whilst in attendance.

This qualification has been designed to provide highly specialist work-related knowledge and skills (common values and core competencies) sought by employers in a range of uniformed services, such as: communications, teamwork, leadership and problem solving.

GCSE Maths and English are vital stepping stones for your academic and professional journey. Achieving a good grade in these subjects not only fulfils most college entry requirements but also equips you with essential skills critical in almost every field. Whether you're calculating percentages in business, crafting compelling arguments, or simply managing daily tasks, these core subjects enhance your problem-solving and communication abilities, setting a solid foundation for your future studies and career success. Start your college course with confidence by securing these key qualifications.

Placement opportunities are an integral part of our curriculum, designed to bridge the gap between academic studies and the professional world. These experiences enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to real workplace challenges, enhancing their academic learning with practical skills. Tailored to complement your studies, placements are offered in a range of industries, from innovative local startups to leading global corporations.
By actively participating in these structured and supportive environments, students not only observe but also contribute meaningfully to the workings of their chosen field. This hands-on approach boosts confidence and provides a competitive advantage in the job market. The insights and experience gained are often transformative, arming students with the necessary tools for a successful and dynamic career. These opportunities are crafted to ensure you emerge as a well-rounded professional, ready to make significant contributions in your future endeavours.

At Sunderland College our commitment to your future goes beyond the classroom. We are dedicated to providing you with real-world experiences and industry insights that will prepare you not just to enter, but to excel in your chosen field. Here’s how we connect you with the industry:

• Placement Opportunities: Dive into your future career with our hands-on placement opportunities. These are not just work experiences, but gateways to potential employment and invaluable learning. They’re a core part of our courses, offering you a chance to apply academic theories in real-world scenarios.
• Networking Events: Build your professional network early. Our placement and careers fairs are your chance to meet and impress potential employers. These events are designed to help you forge significant industry connections that can enhance your career prospects. Attend talks, engage in discussions, and explore apprenticeship opportunities with employers who are eager to meet fresh talent.
• Expert Insights: Stay ahead of the curve with talks from specialist speakers. These industry leaders share the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field, giving you the inside track on what to expect and how to thrive.
• Skills Competitions: Showcase your abilities in our exciting skills competitions. Held throughout the academic year, these competitions are not just about winning – they are about learning, growing, and pushing your limits. They offer a fun, competitive environment to enhance what you learn in class and develop essential industry skills.

You will study a number of modules over the duration of the 2 year course, such as:

- Preparing for a career in the Uniformed Services
- Developing aspects of physical fitness
- Developing leadership skills
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Uniformed Services hierarchy and routine
- Values and standards
- Map reading and navigation
- Telecommunications in the Uniformed Services
- Conflict management and personal protection
- Influence of the UK government, international organisations and the media
- Emergency planning
- Impact of war and conflict
- Outdoor and adventurous expeditions
- Crime scene investigation

What’s next?

Upon completion, students can pursue higher education in areas such as criminology, public services, or emergency and armed services training. Alternatively, this qualification opens doors to employment in the police, fire services, armed forces, and other uniformed roles. With the skills gained, you’ll be well-prepared for apprenticeships, advanced training, or immediate entry into demanding careers within the uniformed services. This qualification equips you with the discipline, fitness, and knowledge required to thrive in a sector where leadership, teamwork, and service are essential.

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93% of our students have progressed to employment, university or further study

(*Destination data, all students, 2023-24)

Why choose Sunderland College?

94% Overall pass rate for T Levels

2022-23

Top performing college group in the North East for student achievement

NARTS, 16-18 Students, 2024

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