Criminology

OVERVIEW

Not all types of crime are alike. Are you interested in the different types of crime that take place in society? Are criminals born or made? How do we decide what behaviour is criminal? What are the different roles involved when a crime is detected?

Then perhaps you are interested to know more about the new exciting course in Criminology. Criminology is the study of the reasons why individuals commit crime. By understanding why a person commits a crime, we can develop ways to control crime or rehabilitate the criminal. This course will enable you to use theories of criminality to analyse criminal situations and suggest ways of reducing crime. You will also develop the knowledge and skills to research policy in practice, assess campaigns for changes in awareness and examine information to review verdicts in criminal cases.

STUDY

Unit 1 – Changing Awareness of Crime

Exploring how crime reporting affects the public perception of crime and criminals. You will then go on to study how campaigns are used to bring about change and plan a campaign of your own.

Unit 2 – Criminological Theories

You will discover and assess all the theories that have been put forward to explain why crime occurs.

Unit 3 – Crime Scene to Courtroom

You will gain an understanding of the process of criminal investigations. You will then go on to learn about the prosecution of suspects and be able to review criminal cases.

Unit 4 – Crime and Punishment

You will study every aspect of the criminal justice system and the types and purposes of punishment in England and Wales.

ASSESSMENT

Units 1 and 3 are internally assessed by your teachers in examination conditions on computers. Units 2 and 4 are both examined through a 90 minute external written paper. Units 1 and 2 lead to an Applied Level 3 Certificate in Criminology, worth 50% of the final Applied Level 3 Diploma. Successful completion of the 4 units over the 2 years leads to the Applied Level 3 Diploma, which is equivalent to an A Level, graded A* to U like an A Level and carries the same UCAS points.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

This course is ideal for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in Criminology. This course can provide a route into Higher Education to study at degree level in a variety of areas such as Criminology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Psychology and Forensic Science. The course would also provide an excellent basis to anyone wishing to pursue a career within Social Work, Mental Health, the Police Force, Customs and Immigration, Prison Services, Court Services, Security Services, the NHS, Education and Youth and Community Services.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

5 grade 9-4’s GCSE or equivalent plus English grade 4.