Criminology (WJEC) Level 3 Diploma

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Criminology is the study of psychological explanations of criminal behaviour, how laws are developed and integrated into the Criminal Justice System and the sociological impact of crime on our society.

You will study a wide range of criminality, the roles of personnel involved in criminal investigations, discuss the effectiveness of prison system as well as a deep dive into the world of real life crime.

Are you interested in a career in the police force, legal profession or forensic sciences? Perhaps you are interested to know more about the exciting subject of Criminology? Either way this is the perfect course for you.

This course provides an opportunity to broaden your field of study in the social sciences, with a particular focus on crime. You will explore the causes of criminal behaviour, attitudes to crime, criminal investigations and the wider social and psychological aspects of crime. The course combines the subjects of Psychology, Law, Sociology and Forensic Science to form a new discipline of its own.

YEAR 1 : UNITS OF ASSESSMENT

UNIT 1

CHANGING AWARENESS OF CRIME

This unit focuses on crimes that go underreported and the impact this has on society. At the end of this unit, you will have gained skills to differentiate between myth and reality when it comes to crime and to recognise that common representations may be misleading and inaccurate. You will gain the skills to understand the importance of the changing public perceptions of crime. You will be able to apply and assess a variety of methods used by agencies to raise awareness of crime so that it can be tackled effectively. You will gain the skills to plan a campaign for change in relation to crime; for example to raise awareness, change attitudes or change reporting behaviour.

UNIT 2

CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES

What makes a criminal tick? This is the study of why people become criminal through investigating a wide range of criminological theories. At the end of this unit you will gain the skills to evaluate some criminological theories and know there are debates within the different theories. You will understand how changes in criminological theory have influenced policy. You will also gain the skills to apply the theories to a specific crime or criminal in order to understand both the behaviour and the theory.

YEAR 2 : UNITS OF ASSESSMENT

UNIT 3

CRIME SCENE TO COURTROOM

From investigating a crime scene, to police powers and legal processes you will understand each step of the criminal process. At the end of this unit you will gain the skills to review the effectiveness of personnel and investigation techniques used in criminal cases. This unit focuses on true crime and miscarriages of justice by evaluating the evidence in the cases to determine whether the verdict is safe and just.

UNIT 4

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Through this unit, you will learn about the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales and how it operates to achieve social control. You will gain an understanding of the organisations which are part of our system of social control and their effectiveness in achieving their objectives. We question whether the formal punishment system (prisons) works and alternative forms of punishment.

Units 1 and 3 are assessed through an internally moderated 8 hour assessment in February.

Units 2 and 4 are assessed through one external examinations in May.

Each unit is worth 25% of the overall grade.

Information on course specific and pathway specific entry criteria can be found on our website.

This course is ideal for anyone that 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, Criminal Justice, Psychology and Forensic Science. The course would provide an excellent basis to anyone wishing to pursue careers within the police, as a social worker, youth workers and community development workers. The qualification allows students to gain the required understanding and skills to be able to consider employment within some aspects of the Criminal Justice System, Law or Police Force e.g. the National Probation Service, the Courts and Tribunals Service or the National Offender Management Service to include police/prison officers, probation officers, social workers, youth workers and community development workers