Welcome

“Thank you for your interest in the Public Services department! Whatever the status of your application, I hope the following information will help prepare you for future studies in Public Services, and maybe even help you decide that Bury College University Centre is the place for you. We are very excited to get started, and have already lined up some great activities for our new students.”

Chris Reid – Assistant Curriculum Manager for Public Services

Chris began his teaching duties at Bury College in 2018, having previously taught Public Services at FE institutions since 2006.

Chris has extensive Military experience, with a career in the British Armed Forces spanning over 24 years, achieving the rank of Senior Warrant Officer Class 2. During his Military career he served on a number of Operational Tours in the Gulf, Bosnia, Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland and Kosovo, receiving numerous commendations including the prestigious Long Service Good Conduct for service in the Armed Forces.  After leaving active service, Chris worked at the Manchester Armed Forces Careers Office as Office Manager, interviewing, selecting and recruiting potential soldiers. Upon retirement from the Services, he worked in schools across West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, mentoring and guiding young people with behavioural issues.   

 

The course

Teaching at Bury College University Centre is local, affordable, high-quality and flexible.

Class sizes are smaller than they would be at most other universities, typically ranging from five to fifteen people per class compared to the couple of hundred you might find in a lecture theatre in a bigger institution. This ensures that you will have access to plenty of one-to-one support from tutors in both academic and pastoral matters.

The course offers you the opportunity to study a broad range of modules within the Public Services curriculum area. Some modules are entirely theory based and will involve classroom work, research papers, class discussion, presentations, and role play and simulations. Some are practical and hands-on, such as the Outdoor Skills Development and Fitness Preparation and Training modules. You will also have the opportunity to participate in multi-day expeditions, where you can demonstrate your camp craft and navigation skills.

Modules may include:

  • Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Public Services in Contemporary Society
  • Fitness Prep and Testing
  • Integrated Emergency Management
  • Outdoor Skills Development
  • Organisational Structures and Culture
  • Equality, Diversity, and Fair Treatment
  • Terrorism and Counterterrorism

 

How you will be assessed

Assessment methods are varied and include a mix of practical and more traditionally academic skills. They may include:

  • Seminars – an ongoing dialogue between the teacher and students
  • Essays
  • Presentations – groupwork or independent
  • Role plays

 

Key features of the course

The course has been developed to give students the grounding necessary for a successful career in the Public and Uniformed Services. The key features of the course include:

  • Specially designed to meet the needs of the Public Service Sector
  • Range of teaching and learning methods
  • Guest speakers from industry, residential trips, workshops

 

Public Services HNC and HND

Discover a wide range of careers including:

  • Fire Service
  • Prison Service
  • Police Service
  • Armed Forces

 

Get in contact

Our friendly staff are happy to answer any questions you may have about your course or the University Centre. We can also put you in contact with your course tutor for a chat. Please email victoria.rowcroft@burycollege.ac.uk with any queries.