Criminology Level 3 Diploma

A minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English Language.

This qualification examines the types of crime in our society and how we decide what behaviour is criminal. We investigate why some people commit crime and how we use different theories of criminality to explain this behaviour.

Students will study real-life cases to understand the criminal justice system, from the crime scene to the courtroom, and examine how social control is achieved in our society.

Year 1:

• Changing awareness of crime
• Criminological theories

Year 2:

• Crime scene to courtroom
• Crime and punishment

50% internal exams and 50% external examinations.

Visits to local courts and a crime conference provide insight into contemporary criminology research by asking offenders why they committed crimes and how likely they are to reoffend. We have guest speakers, including criminology professors and representatives from law enforcement agencies such as the police.

Students also visit the Crown Court and prisons. Students have the opportunity to develop research skills and evaluate techniques that are applicable to real life.

This subject supports access to degree courses, such as criminology or a joint degree in which students study a second subject alongside criminology, such as law, sociology, or psychology. Understanding criminology is relevant to many roles in the criminal justice sector, including police officers, probation officers, 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.