Criminology

Header image for Criminology

Curriculum Intent

Studying psychology and criminology will enable students to reflect on their behaviours and that of others within society, by strengthening their understanding of how societal processes work, which in turn will help to build up a resilience from the pressures of others. As students progress through the course their knowledge and skills gained will be invaluable in later life. This includes a stronger development of empathy for others through learning about a range of difficult topics such as Brain and neuropsychology, psychological disorders (for example; depression, addiction, schizophrenia and OCD) to the genetically constructs of criminality and how this affects the public perception of crime. This emotional intelligence will be critical for students to foster a compassionate viewpoint to truly understand others. Likewise, students will gain mathematical and scientific skills through research methods, and stronger critical thinking skills through the application of theoretical constructs to realistic situations resulting in more divergent and inquisitive thinking.

Our Criminology Alevel equivalent curriculum aims to offer KS5 students access to a range of theory and practice relating to all things associated with crime. Students undertake written coursework and examinations to fuel their understanding of many aspects and careers in relation to crime and criminal justice. Heavily dependent on Law and legislation, students study units such as ‘Crime scene to court room’, which will really ignite any of those interested in applying their knowledge in the future in any capacity.

Course outline – Level 3 Diploma in Criminology WJEC

(Course code: 4543QD)

Why Study Criminology?

In brief, the study of Criminology deals primarily with crime and punishment and our understanding of crime in the social context. Criminology helps understand the mindset of criminals, why they commit crimes, and the factors that affect them. This helps in the proper allocation of resources to control crime.

Course Structure:

The Diploma in Criminology is equivalent to one A’ Level and the content has been designed to allow learners to gain an understanding of criminology and its relevance to many job roles within the criminal justice sector, social and probation work and sociology and psychology.

Student will undertake 4 units 2 of which are assessed though linear exams and 2 of which are assess through controlled assessment.

In year 12 students will study unit 1 and 2 parallel to one another, supported by a different teacher for each unit. Unit 1 is a coursework based unit and is called ‘changing awareness of crime’. Within this unit students will learn what the major types of crimes are, how they are often underreported and how we can improve awareness of these types of crime. Students will complete the unit by planning and creating a campaign to make people more aware of a crime which is identified in the specially created assignment brief. Students also study alongside this, unit 2 called ‘Criminological theories’, which explains and defines criminal activity. This serves to underpin all the knowledge they learn in unit 2.

In year 13 students will study the remaining two units, unit 3, called ‘from crime scene to court room’, where learners will need to examine and review information involving the justice of verdicts in criminal cases. This again will be synoptically underpinned by knowledge gain in unit 4, called ‘crime and punishment’, the purpose of this unit is for learners to develop skills in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the process of social control in delivering policy in practice.

Units Details;

Careers and Destinations:

This is an Applied General qualification. This means it is designed primarily to support learners progressing to university. It has been designed to offer exciting and interesting experiences that focus learning for 16-19 year-old learners and adult learners through applied learning, i.e. through the acquisition of knowledge and understanding in purposeful contexts linked to the criminal justice system. The qualification would support learners’ progression from any study at Level 2, particularly GCSEs in Sociology, Law, Psychology, Citizenship, History and Humanities.

Possible career options:

Possible degree options:

A bachelor’s degree in criminology bachelor’s can lead to several careers:

Knowledge Organisers

UNIT 1Download
UNIT 2Download
UNIT 3Download
UNIT 4Download

Learning Journeys

YEAR 1 UNIT 1 AND UNIT 2Download
YEAR 2 UNIT 3 AND UNIT 4Download

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