Criminology

Applications Open: Thursday, 27th November 2025 from 5pm.

Applications Close: Friday, 13th February 2026.

Entry requirements: • All students must gain 5 passes at Grade 4 or above at GCSE (or the equivalent for vocational qualifications) including a pass in English and / or Maths.

How to apply:

Internal Students - please use the schools internal system: https://www.studentoptions.co/sixthform/

External Students - please use KentChoices. Log in to get started here.

This course is equivalent to one A Level and is for students who are interested in learning about the Criminal Justice System. You will need to be prepared to research and work independently.

This is an Applied General qualification exploring Criminology and includes vocational aspects relating to real life situations. You will study 4 Units.

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

• 2 Criminological Theories 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.

• 3 Crime Scene to Courtroom 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.

• 4 Crime and Punishment 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.

1 Changing Awareness of Crime (Internally assessed 90 GLH) – Controlled Assessment.

2 Criminological Theories (Externally Assessed 90 GLH) - Exam

3 Crime Scene to Courtroom (Internally assessed 90 GLH) – Controlled Assessment.

4 Crime and Punishment (Externally Assessed 90 GLH) – Exam.

(All units of work need to be completed and passed to gain a qualification.)

Grade 4 in English.

Level 3 Criminology is relevant to many job roles within the criminal justice sector, social and probation work and sociology and psychology. It particularly supports a career in policing.

The course is specifically designed to support the transition to studying Criminology at University.