HND in Public and Emergency Services

L5 Level 5
Full Time
8 September 2025 — 14 May 2027
Barry Campus

About this course

The HND Public and Emergency Services course will give you a strong practical and academic grounding in how public, emergency and armed services operate, are organised and managed. You’ll have the chance to complete work placements, or work on projects with public organisations. This will not only enhance your studies but also give you valuable real-life experience in the workplace and help you to prepare for your career.

The course is delivered across two sites, Barry campus and Cardiff International Sports Campus.

What you will study

To ensure you have a good understanding of how Public and Emergency Services operate, you will study core modules in 'planning and operations' in the first year and then ‘Emergencies, Disasters and Transport’ in the second year. The other modules you will study are:

Year One Core Modules:

  • Planning and Operations
  • Organisation and Behaviour in the Public Sector
  • Exploring Public Services
  • Public Affairs

Year Two Core Modules:

  • Work Experience & Social Policy
  • Emergencies, Disasters and Transport
  • Equality and Diversity
  • Public Services Project
  • Public Service Law

Assessment methods vary. They include coursework, real-life projects, essays, group work, and presentations. All lecturers are, or have been members of the Public Services.

During the course you will have the opportunity to attain a range of additional qualifications including First Aid and Defibrillation qualifications. Students will also be encouraged to volunteer with the Army Cadets. Those that take up this option could gain the Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector qualification as well as the Institute of Leadership and Management’s (Level 3) qualification.

Course fee per year

Tuition Fees: £7,500.00

Important points

  • The College welcomes contact with parents/guardians of students who are under 18.
  • Additional support is available for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
  • Cardiff and Vale College is committed to inclusion and values diversity. We are determined to promote equality of opportunity and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
  • Cardiff and Vale College reserves the right to make changes to this course without prior notice.
  • Course fees are subject to change. Your fee will be confirmed prior to enrolment.
  • All courses are accurate at the time of upload or print.
  • Courses can only run if there are sufficient numbers.
  • Please note, if you choose three or more course choices, then you may be referred for a careers appointment first. This does not apply to A Level or GCSE choices.

Entry requirements

48 UCAS tariff points from 2 relevant A Levels or the BTEC Extended Diploma. For applicants undertaking the National Diploma, other qualifications, experiences and achievements will be considered. For non-standard entry, a successful interview demonstrating commitment to study, academic potential and evidence of recent study or employment. Applications to the course will be considered on an individual basis. A successful interview may also be a requirement for entry onto the course.

Key information

Start date

8 September 2025

End date

14 May 2027

Time of day

Day Time

Full Time

14 hours per week

Location

Barry Campus
Maps & directions

Course code

PSHE5F01
L5

Qualification

HND in Public and Emergency Services

More...

What our students say

This course has provided me with some great opportunities and has really helped me develop my skills.

Public Services
Bethan Thomas
Former HND in Public and Emergency Services student

Career prospects & further study

£32,500

In the Cardiff Capital Region, there are 13,000 people working in Public and Uniformed Services occupations with average earnings of £32,500 per annum. (Lightcast 2022).

After completing this course many students progress onto courses at university, others go directly into employment.

Locations

Barry Campus
Barry Campus

Cardiff and Vale College,

Barry Campus,

Vale of Glamorgan,

CF62 8YJ