Criminology Level 3

Unit 1: Changing Awareness of Crime Find out what types of crime takes place in our society and why we know so little about certain crime. Students will gain the skills necessary to understand the changing public perceptions of crime and will gain the skills needed to plan a campaign for change in relation to crime.

Unit 2: Criminological Theories Students learn how we decide which behaviours are criminal and what the difference is between crime and deviance. This topic outlines what makes a criminal and gives insight into a variety of criminological theories.

Unit 3: Crime Scene to Courtroom This is an opportunity to learn about the various personnel who are involved when a crime has been detected. Students will learn about the role of forensics, the Crown Prosecution Service and the jury in bringing about a verdict.

Unit 4: Crime and Punishment This topic outlines the role of punishment in our society and the theories behind its use. Students will learn about how the criminal justice system in England and Wales operated to achieve social control and will assess its level of success in doing so.

This course is assessed through a mixture of external examinations and internal controlled assessments. In each year of the course students will complete one examination and one controlled assessment.

At least grade 5 in English Language

The criminology course has been designed specifically to support access to higher education degree courses such as: criminology, psychology, law, sociology, social work and criminal justice. Alternatively, this qualification gives students the skills necessary for employment roles within the National Probation Service, the Courts and Tribunals Service, National Offender Management Service or Police.