Public Services & Criminology

It starts with you!

Get career ready with us and unlock your potential today, view our range of Public Services and Criminology courses and apply to study at the No.1 Further Education College in Greater Manchester for achievement*.

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Our courses are designed to prepare you for your future career and give you a greater insight into the careers open to you, equipping you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to enter the workplace.

To do this you’ll take part in boot camps with the army and cadets, simulations and careers talks with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, talks and activities with the police, border force and other employers in the industry and hear first-hand accounts of what it’s like working on the front line.

Plus, you’ll spend at least 35 hours gaining vital work experience in the industry or in a role that will help you develop key skills required in the public services and criminology sectors.

Our range of courses cover everything you need to start a successful career in the police, fire service, armed services and other public sectors. Whether you’re getting ready to pass the recruitment and selection process, or you’re just starting on your journey, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

We have courses from Entry Level through to Level 3 designed to provide anyone will the skills and abilities to succeed in the public services and criminology sector – whether you want to work in the police force, fire department or armed services.

You’ll get to explore the skills needed for water and land-based adventure activities, take part in re-creations of major incidents, and learn how to operate a command and control centre!

Not only are they experts in their field, our tutors are also skilled at sharing their expertise and knowledge with their students. They have years of experience in teaching, researching and working in public services or criminology. Why would you settle for anything less?

Get to know some of our tutors:

Hayley Francis - Director of Curriculum

Hayley is the Director of Curriculum for Sport, Public Services and Care Professions. Hayley has been working at The Manchester College for 10 years.

She has helped to grow the department over the years and driven the quality of provision through ensuring our course offer meets the needs of the industries, by leading her experienced team to excellence in teaching, supporting learners to achieve their ambitions and working closely with industry employers.

Stuart Nickson - Head of Department

Stuart began his professional coaching career with Bury Football Academy and later moved to Rochdale AFC working with their under 15/16s teams. More recently, Stuart has worked with Premier League clubs such as Everton, Manchester City and Manchester United. He’s been at The Manchester College for over ten years and is Head of Department for Sport and Public Services.

Justine Stevenson - Course Leader

Justine has over 15 years of experience in sports development, managing facilities, and working with schools and organizations across Greater Manchester. With club-level coaching in netball and launching a National League basketball club, she leverages her background to enhance the curriculum, providing students with real industry insights.

Ambokile Bell - Course Leader

Ambokile has over 20 years of experience in the sports industry, working across Europe and the Middle East as a teacher trainer for Nike and Youth Sport Trust International. With experience as a Cancer Rehabilitator for MacMillan Cancer Support and Trekstock, he brings real-world knowledge into the classroom, offering students insights into sport, leisure, and career opportunities.

Holly Hawkes - Tutor for Criminology and Policing

Holly enjoys combining her academic experience in criminology with her experience in the creative arts industry, to create a diverse and creative environment in her classes.

A member of the British Society of Criminology and a UK Parliament Ambassador, Holly has a particular interest in the sociological aspects of criminology, which is a major focus of her teaching.

She also specialised in both substance abuse and gender studies at postgraduate level, so enjoys sharing her knowledge in these areas.

Currently working on a doctorate combining her interest in both education and criminology by researching the experiences of neurodivergent young women transitioning into mainstream Further Education who have experienced exclusion.
 

You’ll be advancing towards your new career in our Openshaw campus, which has benefitted from a £25m investment to upgrade its facilities.

You have to be fit to succeed in most public services and criminology roles, so you’ll have access to extensive sports and leisure facilities including state-of-the-art, fully equipped gyms, where you can push yourself on resistance and cardiovascular machines. Plus, you’ll be able to see how much you’re improving using our wide range of high-tech testing equipment.

In many public services and criminology roles, you’ll spend a lot of time outside, so we’ve designed outdoor practical areas to help you master military style fitness tests, drills and routines.

You can also study Public Services at Level 1 and 2 at our Harpurhey Campus from September 2025. 

Explore our amazing new facilities

The Manchester College is committed to ensuring all our students receive the support they may need to achieve and enjoy college. We do this in a number of different ways including:

• Student Experience Support Team
• Careers Employability & Welfare
• Pastoral Support Officers
• Supported Learning

We also offer a bespoke transition service to new applicants with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), accessibility or medical need.

Find out more about our student support offer:

Find out even more about our Public Services and Criminology department in our subject area guide or on our YouTube playlist:

Download our subject area guide

Watch our YouTube playlist