Although not an A Level, this course is taken alongside two other A Levels and leads to progression to university.
Criminology will encourage you to develop critical thinking and see things from the perspective of an offender's, victim's, or an official?s eyes. It's for students interested in acquiring an in-depth understanding of the complexities of criminal, delinquent and deviant behaviour, as well being able to explain society?s reaction.
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What will I study?
Unit 1: Changing Awareness of Crime Students will plan campaigns for change relating to crime. Not all types of crime are alike. What different types take place in our society? What kinds of crime exist about which we know very little, or which are simply not reported to the police and the media?
Unit 2: Criminological Theories Students will apply their understanding of the public perceptions of crime and campaigns for change studied in Unit 1, with criminological theories, and to examine how both are used to set policy.
Unit 3: Crime Scene to Courtroom Students will develop the understanding and skills needed to examine information to review the justice of verdicts in criminal cases. What are the roles of personnel involved when a crime is detected? What investigative techniques are available to investigators to help to identify the culprit? What happens to a suspect once charged by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)? What safeguards are in place to ensure a suspect has a fair trial?
Unit 4: Crime and Punishment In this unit students will develop skills to evaluate the effectiveness of the process of social control in delivering policy in practice. What social institutions have we developed to ensure that people do obey laws? Why do most of us tend to obey the law even when to do so is against our own interests? What happens to those who violate our legal system? Why do we punish people?
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Who is this course for?
This course has been designed to offer exciting and interesting experiences that focus learning through the acquisition of knowledge and understanding in purposeful contexts linked to the criminal justice system. It is for students who are interested in crime detection, prevention and causes of crime.
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How is the course assessed?
There are two controlled assessments and two examinations.
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General info
You will be advised on recommendations of specific textbooks and materials that are recommended for the study of this course.
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Progression and Career Opportunities
The main purpose of the WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology is to use the qualification to support access to higher education degree courses, such as: BSc Criminology, BA Criminology. BA Criminology and Criminal Justice, BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology, LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology, BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology, BA (Hons) Criminology, BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology, BSc Criminology with Law.
Alternatively, the qualification allows learners to gain the required understanding and skills to be able to consider employment within some aspects of the criminal justice system, e.g. the National Probation Service, the Courts and Tribunals Service or the National Offender Management Service.
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Entry Requirements for new students
The required point score to join our A Level programme is 4.25 across all your GCSEs. This must include a minimum of 5 grade 5s or above including a grade 5 or above in English Language and maths, with a grade 6 in another written subject desirable. An average point score will be calculated across your GCSE grades.
A BTEC qualification at Merit grade, or above, in a related subject may also be considered in exceptional circumstances.
