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UNIFORMED PUBLIC SERVICES LEVEL 5

  • Start date:   August 2026
  • Level of Qualification:   SCQF Level 5
  • Course Type:   Full-time

UNIFORMED PUBLIC SERVICES LEVEL 5

Kickstart your journey into the uniformed services with this hands-on level 5 course.

Start date – Aug 2026 

End date –  Jun 2027 

SCQF Level - 5 

Mode –  Full time   

Days: 2 - 3 Days Monday to Friday 

Times: 9am to 12pm & 1pm to 4pm   

Duration: 1 Year

You'll learn the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to thrive in roles like the police, fire service, army, Royal Marines, and more. 

Get up close with professionals through guest talks, site visits, and engage in practical fitness activities in the college campus within our modern and well-equipped sport and fitness facilities.

Dive into teamwork, leadership, and wellbeing, while discovering what it takes to succeed in this dynamic field. 

Read about Lewis Cornwell's West Lothian College experience here or get an idea of what our Uniformed Public Services students experience on their course here.

  • What the course includes

    This course is all about getting you ready for the real world of uniformed and emergency services. You’ll build your employability skills through hands-on activities, team challenges, and investigations in real or simulated work environments.

    Stay sharp with a focus on health, safety, fitness, and wellbeing, including physical training sessions.

    Teamwork is at the heart of this field, so you’ll explore what makes a great team, and tackle how external factors can impact success.

    Units include: 

    • Nutrition, health and wellbeing 
    • Hillwalking 
    • Map reading and land navigation 
    • Orienteering 
    • Citizenship through sport and fitness

    There is an emphasis on improving your personal fitness. You will also have the chance to do the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.  

    Due to the nature of this course, it is advised candidates must have their own walking boots.

Why choose this course

Choose this course if you're ready for an exciting challenge that builds real-world skills for careers in the uniformed and emergency services.

You’ll tackle hands-on activities like map reading, land navigation, hillwalking, and orienteering while improving your personal fitness and exploring topics like nutrition and wellbeing.

Teamwork and leadership are key, and you’ll even get the chance to earn your Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award- plus, with units like citizenship through sport and fitness, this course is designed to push your limits and prepare you for success.

Ready to step up? This is your chance.

Entry requirements

  • Three National 4 qualifications or equivalent at grade C or above, one of which must be English  
  • We welcome applications from people with relevant life and work experience  
  • Applicants must be 16 or over at start date.  
  • Applicants must be able to commit to 1 week residential experience during the course  
  • Applicants should have a good level of fitness prior to commencing the course  

An Enhanced Disclosure Scotland application is required which you will do through the college if offered a place. 

If English is not your first language, ESOL Level 5 is an entry requirement for this course. 

  • Graduation 2024

    Where it leads

    Education:Level 6 fitness development or other level 6 courses at West Lothian College.  

    Successful progression through courses available at West Lothian college may open up opportunities to progress onto further study at Dundee University, Stirling University, Aberdeen University, University of the West of Scotland and Queen Margaret University.  

    Employment: Past students have moved into careers with the Police, Fire Service and Royal Navy, RAF and Army.

Interview arrangements

If you are invited for an interview/course information session, plan to be in college for around two hours. The interview includes:  

  • Discussion with the course leaders 
  • Fitness task  

Please bring your practical kit and be prepared to take part in the multi-stage fitness test. Also bring evidence of your qualifications and/or employment references.

Interview Questions 

  • Tell us a bit about yourself and why you have applied for this course, what service do you want to join? 
  • What employment/volunteering or relevant work experience have you had? 
  • Describe your personality and tell us about your skills and qualities. 
  • What challenges do you think you might have in completing the course? 
  • If you ticked yes to disability on your application, can you provide further information so we can tailor support 
  • What was your attendance/progress like at school? 
  • If you were offered a place on the course how would you show us your commitment? 
  • Who should we contact for a reference at school? 

Fees, Finance & Funding

There may be help available to assist with your study related costs. Impartial, confidential help and advice on financial matters is available from the Student Funding Team - including Bursaries, Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), Student Awards Agency for Scotland, Student Loans Company and student support funds. Click here to find out more

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Take that next step in your career and apply for this course today. If the course is not yet open for applications, feel free to ask any questions by clicking make an enquiry.

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