HND in Public Services

About this course

Is this course right for me?

Would you like to make a real difference to the society you live in? Are you thinking about a career in public sector management? If you have what it takes to succeed in this rewarding, demanding and vitally important sector, then this is the course for you! Our HND in Public Services will prepare you for a management position in a range of uniformed and non-uniformed sectors such as Custom and Excise, the Fire Service, Rescue Services, Police Force and Armed Services. We can help you develop your understanding of relevant ethical, legal and professional issues in public services and teach you the key concepts and practical skills you need to begin work or progress to further study.

What makes WCT the best?

Our HND in Public Services gives you the best of both worlds. We offer a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge you need to get a great job in uniformed or non-uniformed services. Alternatively, we also give you the option to top-up your HND to full degree level at a number of universities, including the University of Worcester. Or why not benefit from our brand-new direct entry route into the third year of a Public Services Management degree at Plymouth University?

Our lecturers have years of experience working in the sector and are committed to helping you become an effective and confident employee, able to self-direct your own learning and positively achieve your career goals. A high percentage of our students progress onto a third year programme or enter the public service industry after completing the course.

How will I learn?

Our course is designed to reflect the combination of theoretical and practical knowledge that you need to work in the public service sector. You will learn through a mix of class-based academic study and hands-on practical work. This will include lectures, seminars, group activities and individual study.

What will I be doing?

You will develop your understanding of the current role and impact of public services in modern society. This will include an overview of public sector funding and the ways in which public services allocate, account for and report their financial performance. You will gain an in-depth understanding of how governments and their decision-making powers affect UK public services.

You will also learn about the sociological aspects of public services, and elements of emergency and contingency planning. How do public services help reduce anti-social behaviour and lead to the development of safer communities? How can the media, environment and economical issues impact on public services? You will find the answers to these, and many more fascinating questions, throughout the course.

Our HND will help you prepare for a senior position and teaches you a range of managerial skills, such as how to manage behaviour in the workplace, ensure fair treatment of your colleagues, direct your own personal and professional development, and deliver safe outdoor skills training for groups in land and water-based environments. You will also learn how workplace stress can reduce productivity and effect performance, and how a manager can deal with these issues. You will even have the opportunity to work on a sustained research project and hone your own employability skills ready for employment.

For more information please contact Carly Prosser on 01905 725614

Entry requirements

Assessment

You will be assessed through coursework assignments that could include essays, reports, presentations and practical activities.

What next?

Public Services is an exciting sector and can provide secure, relatively well-paid jobs and excellent careers for the right people. By the end of the course, you will have learned how to become a skilled, efficient and imaginative manager, with the ability to respond to the rapidly changing policy environments of this dynamic sector.

You can choose to specialise in a variety of areas including the Police Force, Fire Service, Customs and Excise, Prison Service, Rescue Services, Armed Services, Local Government and Voluntary Sector. You can choose to top-up your qualification to degree status in subjects such as Public Service Management or Business Management. After graduating, you could find your first job in an administration, customer service or managerial role for local government or not-for-profit organisations such as charities, housing associations or campaign groups.

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For help applying call 01905 743456