Criminology

Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology (AAQ)

Examination Board: WJEC

Course Leader: Mr D Yates

Course Contact: dyates@tgschool.net

Are you interested in?

• The nature of crime in our society? 

• Criminal behaviour and deviance?

• Why and how we punish people?

• How criminal theory influences social policy?

What Will I Study?

Criminology is the study of crime and criminals. This applied qualification provides the opportunity to study different types of crime, understand why people commit crime and how the criminal justice sector works. Students will also develop an understanding of how political and policing policies, along with environmental design can be implemented to try and reduce crime

The course is made up of 4 mandatory units. There is a mixture of exam and non-exam assessments:

Unit 1: Changing Awareness of Crime (Controlled assessment) 

The first mandatory unit will enable the learner to demonstrate understanding of different types of crime, influences on perceptions of crime and why some crimes are unreported.

Unit 2: Criminological Theories (Exam)

The second mandatory unit will allow learners to gain an understanding of why people commit crime, drawing on what they have learned in Unit 1.

Unit 3: Crime Scene to Courtroom (Controlled assessment)

The third mandatory unit will provide an understanding of the criminal justice system from the moment a crime has been identified to the verdict. Learners will develop the understanding and skills needed to examine information in order to review the justice of verdicts in criminal cases.

Unit 4: Crime and Punishment (Exam)

In the final mandatory unit, learners will apply their understanding of the awareness of criminality, criminological theories and the process of bringing an accused to court in order to evaluate the effectiveness of social control to deliver criminal justice policy.

Additonal Entry Requirements

Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or a Humanities Subject at GCSE.

Assessment:

Year 12

Unit 1: Internal controlled assessment (8 hours)

Unit 2: External examination (one and a half hours)

Year 13

Unit 3: Internal controlled assessment (8 hours)

Unit 4: External examination (one and a half hours)

NB: There is an opportunity to retake units 1, 2 and 3. 

Leading to futures in:

Studying Criminology can lead to careers in the Police Service, Prison Service, Social work and social research. The qualification allows learners to gain the required understanding and skills to be able to consider employment within the criminal justice system, e.g. the National Probation Service, the Courts and Tribunals Service or the National Offender Management Service.