Foundation Degree in Public Services | Degree Centre Weymouth

Course Introduction
See the facilities
Meet the students
Meet the staff
Examples of work

Course Introduction

If you want a job with great prospects and the potential to offer stability and security yet excitement and challenge – providing real job satisfaction and a sense of pride in your work, then why not consider a career in public services and apply for this course?

This well-established Foundation degree run in partnership with Bournemouth University is designed to open your eyes to the diverse range of careers available. These include uniformed services such as emergency, defence, security, justice and probation through to non unformed roles with local and central government as well as related voluntary and private sector agencies.

Aims:

To equip students with knowledge, understanding and skills to progress and develop their careers in public services and related voluntary and private sector organisations.

Benefits:

Flexible delivery enabling students to work and learn at the same time (with full and part time options)

Exciting & varied programme of theoretical & practical subjects

A wide knowledge and skills base is covered transferable to a range of job roles and public service related organisations

High quality provision alongside access to all BU resources (campus based and online)

Regular industry liaison and visiting speakers

Exciting programme of off-site trips and practical activities

Professional and inspirational staff from a wide range of employment backgrounds

Progression/Career Opportunities:

The course is designed for students who wish to establish or progress a career in a public service or related voluntary/private sector organisation. This could include:

Police Officer, Police Community Support Officers, civilian roles within the police

Prison Officer, Probation Officers, related (non uniformed) crime and safety roles

Firefighter, Ambulance Service roles, NHS & related health care roles

Armed Forces: Royal Navy, RAF, British Army, Royal Marines

Local government: education (teaching), social services, environmental health, youth and community, courts and justice organisations

Central government: policy officers, political roles

Progression to a Full Degree:

Students who achieve the necessary standard can apply to the final year of the BSc (Hons) Public Services run at the University of Plymouth or the BA (Hons) Business & Management (Top-up) at Bournemouth University or explore opportunities for progressing onto alternative ‘top-up’ courses across the country.

See the facilities

Dedicated HE study centre	Field trip
Field trip	Team work - rafting
Field trip - climbing	Field trip - archery
Sailing at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy	Field trip - camping
Field trip - assault course	Fundraising

Meet the students

Dave Allan

Here's a quick run down of why and how I came to be on the course:

I am a 38 year old father of three grown-up children. Whilst owning a pub, 2002-2006, I joined Dorset Fire & Rescue Service as a retained firefighter. I was soon promoted to crew manager (leading firefighter) after only two years service. I then left the pub and went from job interview to another whilst still performing my retained duties all the while.

I had always felt I was reasonably intelligent but had nothing to show. I saw an advert in the paper for FdA Public Services - especially the fire service. So this was a good opportunity to gain a qualification whilst still looking for gainful employment. I was looking at ways to improve my management skills. During the course I learnt the theories behind what motivates people and why do they do the things they do. If you can understand that then managing them would be easier.

The course also gave me an opportunity to do a five-week work placement in the emergency planning department at Dorset County Council. I found this to be insightful as it was interesting. The staff in the department could not have been more helpful toward me and now I'm even a member of the Emergency Planning Society.

The staff at Degree Centre Weymouth are fantastic. They go out of their way to ensure the students achieve the best results they can. The support you get from each lecturer is second-to-none and their passion for the subject shines through in their delivery.

Doing what I do and having a personal life that allows me to devote time to assignments has certainly helped me with the marks I achieve. I consistently achieve 60-70% in most assignments.

I have now been offered a job of Community Safety Education Officer; to run the community suite of the new fire station in Weymouth which is fantastic!

Olivia Parker, Graduate 2010

Olivia Parker was chosen by Bournemouth University as the best final year student on a Partner College programme in 2010. Olivia completed the Foundation Degree (FdA) in Public Services gaining a Distinction and was extremely surprised to have been given the award: “It has given me a real sense of achievement. The ceremony was formal and full of tradition but was very pleasant.”

Olivia studied the BTEC National Diploma in Public Services at Weymouth College and wasn’t sure if she wanted to carry on to university-level education until her tutor told her she would be able to do that by enrolling on a Bournemouth University degree course but completing all of her study at Degree Centre Weymouth.

Olivia explains: “A couple of my friends from the BTEC decided to enrol on the Foundation degree and they were very supportive so I decided to do the same. I’d like to say a big thanks to the lifelong friends I made on the course and the amazing staff - you know who you are!”

“The programme leader Lynsey Melhuish was a great mentor and suggested I may enjoy teaching. So, I got some teaching experience and enroled on a part-time teaching course and I’m now lecturing at Further Education level.”

“I hadn’t been sure about carrying on to Higher Education but it was the best decision I have ever made and I look forward to what is ahead of me.”

Meet the staff

Louise Bown

Lecturer in Ethics on the FdA Public Services and teaches English & Maths on the Access to Higher Education course

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Natasha Bailey

FdSc Forensic Science, FdA Public Services & Access to Higher Education Coordinator

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Lynsey Melhuish

Programme Leader FdA Public Services & Lecturer FdSc Sport (Health & Fitness). Lecturer in Social Policy, Human Resource Management, Leadership & Outdoor Activities, Media & Communications

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Kerry Holloway

Lecturer FdA Public Services (Public Sector Resource Management) & HNC Business & Management

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Laura Summers

Lecturer on FdSc Sport (Health and Fitness) and FdA Public Services

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Katy Parker

FdA Public Services Lecturer in Law & the Legal System, Human Rights & Responsibilities, and Applied Forensic Psychology

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Roz Osborne

Senior Administrator for Higher Education & Access to Higher Education

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Dr Ross Kay

Vice Principal: Director of Learning

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