Public Protective Services - Level 2

On this course you will study these units:

• Unit 1: Public Service Skills and Support for the Community
• Unit 2: Employment in Uniformed Public Services
• Unit 3: Health and Fitness for Entry into the Uniformed Public Services
• Unit 4: Activities and Teamwork for the Public Services
• Unit 5: Sport and Recreation in Public Services
• Unit 6: Expedition and Land Navigation Skills
• Unit 7: Aspects of Law and the Public Services
• Unit 8: Crime and its Effects on Society

Physical Training

Physical Training is a mandatory part of the course and it is designed to help you increase your levels of fitness to ensure you have the ability to successfully pass a uniformed services fitness selection test. This will include:

• Running
• Circuit training
• Military style fitness training
• Team sports

There will also be many opportunities to you to participate in team activities.

Other opportunities and activities

• Visiting service speakers
• Visits to service establishments
• Inter-group competitions
• Duke of Edinburgh award at either Bronze, Silver or Gold (Bronze level needs to be completed)
• Thetford Forest camp and activities experience in the 2nd week of September

Visits to service establishments have previously included:

• Local Fire Stations
• Local Police Stations
• Local Ambulance Stations
• RAF Marham
• HM Prisons - Wayland and Whitemore
• Commando Training Centre - Royal Marines
• British Army training centres
• RAF Regiment Honington
• Thetford Forest and local areas

Additional costs

There are some optional costs for this course for trips and awards. All costs are approximate and will be confirmed closer to the time of the event. If you are eligible for financial support, we may be able to contribute towards these costs. Please click here for more information about financial support.

You will need:

• 4 or more GCSEs at grade 3 or higher and 1 GCSE at grade 4 in either English or maths

Or:

• A relevant full level 1 qualification studied at CWA or another further education provider. This does not include level 1 courses studied at school alongside GCSEs.

You will be invited to an information session to help us ensure the course is right for you.

How long is this course?

1 year

When does this course start?

02/09/2026

How many hours / days per week is this course?

Full-time courses at CWA are generally 3 - 4 days per week (though you may be in for an extra day if you are resitting English and / or Maths). The college day is typically longer than a day at school and students will need to plan their individual study in their free time (including individual study hours which are recorded at college in the Learning Resource Centre or other study areas). Work experience will be a key component of your course and most students will complete a minimum of 60 hours per academic year (on top of their college hours), depending on the course they are studying. CWA has a dedicated team of work placement co-ordinators to support you with this.

Age	Cost
16-18	Free*
19+	£900

* Some of our courses may have additional costs to cover trips, unform and equipment. These costs will be confirmed to you at enrolment.

Fee information

Though this course is free for those aged 16-18, there may be additional costs related to the programme, such as additional equipment and uniform, educational trips and work placement costs. Full details will be sent to applicants before enrolment.

Find all the information you need about course fees and financial help below.

Information on Fees and Financial Help

Adult (19+) learners

Depending on your age, course, educational history and personal circumstances, there may be options available for you to receive a course fully-funded by the government. Our fee calculator will help give you an idea on whether you'll be able to have your course fee waived or covered by an Advanced Learner Loan.

Complete our fee calculator

Learners with an active Education, Health & Care Plan

If you are aged 19 - 24 at the start of your course and have an active Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), any course up to and including level 3 will be fully-funded by the government. This means you will not have a course fee to pay and any equipment considered essential to complete your course will be provided by the college.

What qualification will I achieve?

BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Preparation for Public Services

How is my course assessed?

Assessment is mainly through coursework assignments. Some assessment will involve practical and theoretical group work and presentations in front of a teacher and class members, practical demonstration of competency via video/photographic evidence will also be used.