Uniformed Public Services Level 1


  • Start Date: 01/09/2025
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
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We are excited to announce a new Level 1 course that prepares you to work in uniform public services such as the Army, Navy, and RAF.

You will learn to work as part of a team, and develop and practise leadership skills whilst planning and navigating an expedition.

We have valuable links with the Army, Navy and RAF to enable valuable experience across a wide range of areas to be fully immersed in public uniform life.

We have several work experience opportunities which include a week at the Army base in Catterick or Volunteering with Veterans as Ease in the community.

The units have been specially chosen to develop teamwork, communication, and leadership skills needed to work in the forces:

  • Developing skills leadership
  • Working towards goals
  • Working as a volunteer
  • Practising Leadership Skills with others
  • Navigating using a map and compass
  • Preparing for Expeditions

Required Entry Qualifications

You do not need any specific entry qualifications and will be allowed to take Maths and English courses suitable for your level, be it Functional Skills or GCSEs.

All work is assessed through coursework or practical assessments.

There are no examinations.

One of the biggest strengths of the UPS course is the wide range of specialist staff covering each of the units.

We also invite guest speakers in where appropriate to cover specific areas and ensure our teaching is relevant.

You’ll study at our Academy for Sport, where our facilities are among the best in the country and include:

  • Classrooms equipped with integrated IT
  • Sports science and sports therapy facilities
  • Performance lab
  • 3G and 4G pitches
  • Indoor athletics track
  • Sports hall
  • Strength and conditioning gym
  • Massage suite
  • Aerobics suite
  • Gym
  • Boxing Studio

This course is designed to lead you either on a level 2 public service course or into employment.

The armed forces accept applicants from age 16, the fire service age 18 and the police require a degree.

This course also allows you to develop employability skills across a wide range of professions outside of the armed forces.

After completion of the course, we will support you to apply for the Army, RAF or Navy.

You may get the opportunity to progress onto Level 2 Preparation for Public Service.

School Leaver Course Guide 2025/2026

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School Leavers guide for 2025 - 2026