Public Services FdA

Program Overview

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Public Services FdA

Overview

This programme, studied at a local FE college, provides you with a recognised qualification which enhances your opportunities for potential employment within the police and fire services, the armed forces, local government, civil service, education, prison service and ambulance services. The course develops your knowledge and understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in the public services sector, and introduces a variety of analytical approaches and current issues.

Top reasons to study this course

• Access to university facilities: study at your local FE college while enjoying access to Teesside University’s facilities and services on the Middlesbrough campus.
• Build problem-solving skills: develop your analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities by tackling real issues and exploring practical solutions.
• Consider different perspectives: gain a better understanding of different views and beliefs, helping you think critically and communicate effectively.

Course details

Course structure

Year 1 modules

• Contemporary Society and the Public Services
  • Develop an appreciation of the issues involved society and their effects on public services.
  • Explore culture, family, groups and how they contribute to the structure of society, the development of individuals and groups and the structural influences on society.
  • Consider a wide range of contemporary issues in society and how they can impact on availability and provision of public services.
• Human and Criminal Behaviour
  • Examine key psychological approaches and theories, relating them to criminal behaviour and causes of crime.
  • Explore behaviour including how people relate to each other and organisations, and how they learn and communicate.
• Leadership in the Public Services
  • Apply current theories to gain the skills and understanding needed to be a manager or leader in an organisational context.
  • Examine the relationship between management and leadership, and different perspectives in relation to their behaviour in public services.
  • Explore the personal and professional skills needed for effective management and leadership, and the skills and attributes of successful leaders.
  • Investigate situations where different leadership styles are appropriate within public service environments.
• Self-analysis and Research
  • Develop the skills required for information gathering and research in the field of public services within an ethical context.
  • Use a range of research methods, with a practical focus to develop the skills needed to undertake small scale projects.
  • Use both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including statistical analysis.
  • Review and analyse secondary data, in the area they wish to complete their research project in their second year, looking for gaps in the study and a pathway for their project.
  • Propose a research topic in an area from their chosen public service in agreement with their tutor.
• Technology and the Public Services
  • Identify the range of technology used by public service organisations, how that technology supports those organisations, their suppliers and customers, enhances the delivery of public services in the UK and the potential for future developments.
• The UK Justice System
  • Be introduced to UK legal systems and their impact on the public services.
  • Examine the differences between criminal and civil law and their effect on non-military services, and the role of the court martial in UK military services.
  • Experience trial processes through a mock trial assessment and explore the public services’ contribution to a trial.

Year 2 modules

• Criminal Law and the Public Services
  • Gain an understanding of the significance of actus reus and men’s rea in criminal liability, applying the legal rules for criminal offences including homicide, theft, robbery and criminal damage.
  • Explore criminal law defences, appreciating how criminal responsibility can be limited or avoided.
• Forensics in the Public Services
  • Study the techniques for locating, recording, recovering and evaluating crime scene evidence and intelligence.
  • Explore investigative practice and forensic strategies to ensure the integrity of evidence.
  • Develop an understanding of the standards for forensics investigators in public services using real-world examples.
• Global Issues in the Public Services
  • Explore major current economic and environmental issues and their impact on the global economy.
  • Investigate current conflicts from around the globe and the causes, impact and involvement of national and international organisations.
  • Examine key international organisations and how they work with differing political systems, developing your understanding of how regime change can occur and how they manage these changes.
  • Explore the impact of communications media on the portrayal of national and global events and the work of public services.
• Research Project in the Public Services
  • Explore the different elements of formal research and the theory underpinning it, including the proposal, research methodologies, action planning, undertaking the research itself and presenting the findings.
  • Develop your area of interest in readiness for future career aspirations.
• Theories relating to Crime and Violence
  • Gain an understanding of criminological theory relating to violent crime, with a particular emphasis on youth, drugs, hate, terrorist, intimate partner violence and sexual assault, as well as that serial murder to develop an insight of what potentially makes people behave in a particular criminal and violent manner.
  • Examine the impact of such crimes on victims, society and the public services.
• Wellbeing in the Public Services
  • Explore the factors behind mental health and understand its impact on society and the public services.
  • Examine the impact of mental health on offending, self-harm and suicide, and the mental health of victims of crime.

How you learn

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work and individual study.

How you are assessed

Assessment is entirely through the production of coursework for each module.

Entry requirements

A typical offer is 40-48 tariff points. The entry criteria are based on your ability to succeed and can be demonstrated in a variety of ways including:

• A range of Level 3 qualifications (NVQ 3, BTEC Award, A level, T level)
• You can apply for an Accreditation of Prior Learning
• Previous industrial experience will also be taken into account.

Employability

This programme will appeal to anyone who is either considering a career in the uniformed public services or who aspires to being involved in a management role in a public-services-related career.

Full-time

• Entry to academic year: September
• Fee for UK applicants: £6,340 a year
• Length: 2 years
• UCAS code: L430 FdA/PS

Part-time

Not available part-time

Choose Teesside

• iPad: Are you eligible for an iPad, keyboard and up to £300 credit for learning resources?
• Accommodation: Live in affordable accommodation right on-campus - from only £100 a week
• Campus: Study in our town-centre campus with £280m of recent investment.
• Adobe: Study at Europe's first Adobe Creative Campus and develop your creative and digital skills.

Teesside University Law School

At Teesside University Law School we have over 30 years' experience of delivering high-quality education in the field of law and criminal justice.

Program Outline

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Public Services FdA program at Teesside University:

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Degree Overview:

This program, delivered in partnership with Hartlepool College of Further Education, prepares students for diverse career opportunities in the public services sector. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, the program equips students with the skills and understanding necessary to thrive in various public service roles, including the uniformed and non-uniformed areas.

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Key objectives:

• Equip students with the knowledge and skills required for a successful career in public services.
• Enhance students' problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Develop students' appreciation for diverse perspectives and beliefs.
• Provide students with real-world understanding of investigation techniques.

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Outline:

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Year 1 Modules:

• Contemporary Society and the Public Services: Explores the influence of societal issues on public services, examining culture, family, groups, and the impact of contemporary issues on service provision.
• Human and Criminal Behaviour: Investigates psychological approaches and theories related to criminal behaviour, exploring individual and group behavior, learning, and communication.
• Leadership in the Public Services: Develops leadership and management skills necessary for public service roles, examining different leadership styles and their application.
• Self-analysis and Research: Equips students with research skills, utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods, and focusing on research in the public services field.
• Technology and the Public Services: Covers the role of technology in public service delivery, exploring existing and emerging technologies and their impact on service delivery.
• The UK Justice System: Introduces the UK legal systems and their impact on public services, including criminal and civil law, and the role of public services in the trial process.

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Year 2 Modules:

• Criminal Law and the Public Services: Delves into criminal law principles, focusing on actus reus, mens rea, and criminal offenses, including homicide, theft, robbery, and criminal damage.
• Forensics in the Public Services: Equips students with investigation skills and techniques for collecting, recording, analyzing, and evaluating crime scene evidence, focusing on forensic standards and best practices.
• Global Issues in the Public Services: Examines major economic and environmental issues, global conflicts, and the role of international organizations, exploring the impact of communication media on public services.
• Research Project in the Public Services: Provides students with advanced research skills, covering proposal writing, research methodologies, data analysis, and presentation of findings.
• Theories relating to Crime and Violence: Explores criminological theories associated with violent crime, including youth, drugs, hate, terrorism, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and serial murder, analyzing the impact on victims and society.
• Wellbeing in the Public Services: Investigates mental health, its impact on society and public services, and its role in offending, self-harm, and suicide, also examining the mental health of crime victims.

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Assessment:

Assessment is entirely based on coursework for each module, requiring students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through written assignments, presentations, and projects.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information: £6,150 a year For UK applicants