HNC POLICE WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES

Intro to the course:

This course has been designed to give you an understanding of the issues that are relevant to a policing environment, as well as developing your understanding of the skills and capabilities required to operate in policing. The general aims of the group award are:

• to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills required to enter into a career as a Police Officer and a wide variety of service related industries
• to prepare individuals for taking standard entrance tests for entry into the Scottish Police Services
• to equip individuals with appropriate communication skills to interact with all members of the community
• to achieve a fitness standard for a career as a Police Officer and to promote lifelong fitness, health and well being
• to provide an understanding of the criminal justice system in Scotland 

The course covers academic and practical subjects.

The HNC in Police Studies will help to prepare people for a number of different careers, employment and educational opportunities. The knowledge and skills gained in the HNC can be applied in environments including:

• the Armed Forces
• Fire Service
• Prison Service
• private custodial services
• private security firms
• social services
• leisure
• youth or community work
• voluntary work

The award is made up of 12 SQA Credits, 96 SCQF credit points. There are ten core units:

• Scottish legal system
• sociology for social care practice
• personal development planning
• exercise principles and programming
• Police Studies: Graded Unit 1
• an introduction to IT in business: word processing, spreadsheets and database
• social science: research and methodology
• communication: practical skills
• creating a culture of customer care 

Optional Units may include:

• psychology for social care practice
• Scottish Criminal Law
• interviewing

Who is the course for?

The award is particularly suited to the following groups:

• school leavers who plan to join the Police Service
• mature applicants with work and life experience who plan to join the Police Service

Other applicants who wish to enter a career in other emergency or security service occupations such as:

• Armed Forces
• Fire Service
• Prison Service
• private custodial services
• private security firms
• leisure
• youth or community work
• voluntary work

The course is also suitable for students wishing to pursue a career in criminal justice.

What will I study?

The HNC in Police Studies has been designed to give you an understanding of the issues that are relevant to a policing environment, as well as developing your understanding of the skills and capabilities required to operate in policing and other uniformed services roles.

You will learn through lectures, group work, individual work, educational visits, and guest speakers.

Next step course options

There is currently no single award at HND level for those who are successful in the achievement of the HNC Police Studies however, progression opportunities available are:

• one award which offers partial progression opportunity is the HNC/HND Legal Services
• progression to higher education with universities recognising the HNC award as entry to first or second year degrees

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessment using SQA approved assessments.  These take many forms such as:

• open-book
• closed-book
• reports and projects
• group work
• fitness testing

Why should I choose this course?

The course enables candidates to have a successful career in the Police Service however, other options are to pursue a career in:

• The Prison Service
• Ambulance Service
• Fire & Rescue
• Coastguard
• Transport Police
• Security & Prison Service
• Criminal Justice

Students can progress onto our HND Legal Studies or apply directly to university courses in policing, criminology and criminal justice.

Where can this course lead?

The knowledge and skills gained in the HNC can be applied in environments including:

• Armed Forces
• Fire Service
• Prison Service
• private custodial services
• private security firms
• leisure
• youth or community work
• voluntary work

What are the entry requirements?

Entry is at the discretion of the college. Examples of formal entry qualifications include:

• One Higher in a relevant subject or
• Four  National Units at SCQF level 5/6  or
• Four Standard Grades at Credit Level or
• any SVQ at level 2 or 3 in a relevant area or
• relevant work experience
• a vocational Qualifications and equivalent qualifications from other awarding bodies may also be acceptable.

Subject areas which would be considered relevant for entry to the HNC Police Studies include:

• Scottish Legal System or general legal studies
• first aid or fitness
• psychology or sociology
• modern studies or contemporary social studies
• communication
• information handling/information management
• ICT

What are the interview arrangements?

Candidates will be invited to an informal information session.

Fees, finance and funding

Fees for full time is £1285

This course is eligible for SAAS.

Please note, fees are subject to change, please double-check this when enrolling in your course

If you are unsuccessful in your SAAS, you may be liable for the full cost of course

For more information please visit the finance pages - Fees, finance and funding options.

Other information:

With the HNC Police Studies, a probationer in the Police Service can be confident that they have already demonstrated that they can operate at the required level for probationer training (SCQF Level 7). The range of skills developed throughout the HNC Police Studies including research skills, will ensure that candidates can progress into higher levels of education with underpinning learning capabilities in place.

Full time course: This course will run for 36 weeks