Studying for this Top Up degree you will explore the ways in which public services affect all our lives and prepare yourself for a thriving career in this field. The degree supports you in meeting the demand for public service employees to be critical, imaginative, resourceful and to have the ability to work collaboratively with other professionals.
This top-up degree gives you the chance to improve on your foundation or HND qualification in just one year and develop academic and practical skills which will equip you for a successful career in public services.
You will look at current issues in the world of public services, exploring the challenges faced by the local and central government.
You will get in-depth insights into the kinds of issues you are likely to encounter when working in the public sector, including but not limited to; cybercrime, gender violence, hate crime, human trafficking and terrorism. You will develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of these issues and the ability to analyse and evaluate relevant policy, legislation and criminological and sociological perspectives.
Why study with us
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Public Services (Top Up) is ranked 5th in the UK with 89% of students satisfied with the teaching quality (Times Good University Guide 2021)
- There are opportunities to get involved in designing, planning and delivering local conferences and symposiums held by the Public Services team.
- Lectures from invited guest speakers who have invaluable insights and experiences to share. Past guest speakers have included Stephen Brookes MBE, Disability Champion for Rail Sector for Disabled People and the Minister for Disabled People and Steph Holmes Founder and CEO at Chrysalis Transsexual Support Groups.
What you'll do
- Hear from guest speakers and have the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice by undertaking relevant work experience.
- Learn about the crucial role of public services in the criminal justice system, education, politics and welfare and discover how you could make a positive difference in your future career.
- Develop the academic knowledge and practical skills to work in different areas of the public services. Past students have gone on to work in the criminal justice sector (prison service and police), in fire and rescue.
Module overview
Year 1Compulsory modules
• PL3001: Policy Interpretations In The UK: Dilemmas and Controversies
• PL3992: Dissertation in Public Services
Optional modules
• CJ3203: Crimes of the Powerful
• CJ3204: Human Trafficking
• CJ3208: Prison and Society
• PL3003: Public Services Work Placement
• PO3004: Terrorism and Security
Course delivery
This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
Future careers
This course will equip you to enjoy a successful career in international organisations, non-governmental organisations, Criminal Justice, educational environments, Police Service, Armed Services, Youth Justice, the National Health Service and more.
Our graduates are currently working in a wide range of settings including as teachers, the police service, the prison service, environmental health, the NHS and charitable organisations.

My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.