Criminology

Year 12

Unit 1 – Changing Awareness of Crime
You will explore 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.

Year 13
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.

The course is divided into 4 units and therefore it is a modular structure. You will be assessed at the end of every unit. There are opportunities for assessment in December and May of each academic year.
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.
Examining Board – WJEC (EDUQAS).

The College’s standard A level entry requirements apply.

None. The popularity of this course is growing rapidly nationally and students are combining it with a wide range of A-level subjects. For example, it could be taken in combination with other Social Science subjects such as Sociology, Psychology, Politics, Economics, Business and/or Law, or it might be an attractive option for learners focusing on 2 or 3 Science subjects such as Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

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.

You will be provided with all teaching resources on this course, but you may incur a small cost for local transport to attend organised visits from time to time and if you attend a conference with key-note speakers.

You have the opportunity to complete an Extended Project Qualification, which will allow you to research a topic of genuine interest to you in depth. Alternatively, you may wish to join the CSI Solihull enrichment to explore the world of Criminology further.