Course specification
This course offers exciting and interesting experiences through the acquisition of knowledge and understanding in purposeful contexts linked to the criminal justice system.
An understanding of criminology is relevant to many job roles within the criminal justice sector, including police officers, probation and prison officers, and social workers. With their critical thinking, analytical and communication skills, criminology graduates are also attractive to employers outside the criminal justice sector in areas such as social research and politics.
Exam Board – WJEC
Qualification – Level 3 Diploma
Entry requirements – GCSE grade 4 in English language and maths
| Unit | Assessment |
| Unit 1 – Changing Awareness of Crime • Types of crime • Perceptions of crime • Reasons crimes go unreported | Internal assessment 90 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) |
| Unit 2 – Criminological Theories • Why people commit crime • Builds on Unit 1 knowledge | External assessment 90 GLH |
| Unit 3 – Crime Scene to Courtroom • Criminal justice process • Review and evaluation of verdicts | Internal assessment 90 GLH |
| Unit 4 – Crime and Punishment • Application of prior learning • Evaluation of social control and justice policy | External assessment 90 GLH |
| Students will sit two 90 minute examinations at the end of year 12 and in year 13. |
What doors will this open up for me?
The level 3 diploma in criminology has elements of psychology, law and sociology that complement studies in humanities. The main purpose is for the subject to support applications to universities in criminology or similar subjects such as law, psychology or sociology. It is well recognised by universities as giving a good base knowledge of criminology to support a number of subjects, with universities praising students who study criminology for their good communication skills, ability to think critically with a good knowledge of people skills.
