CRIMINOLOGY APPLIED CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA Level 3

Applications Open: - 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: - We would, ideally, like applications to be submitted by Thursday 8th January 2026, when planning for the timetable will begin, but applications will be accepted after this date

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Minimum Entry Requirements

The admissions criteria for the Sixth Form are as follows:

- A minimum of 6 separately identifiable GCSE subjects (or equivalent) at an average grade of 5.5 or above

- These 6 subjects must include at least a grade 4 in English Language or English Literature and at least a grade 4 in Mathematics

- You will require a grade 6 or above in most subjects you wish to study at A Level

- To study Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages or a Science subject you will require a grade 7

- To study Economics a grade 7 or above in Mathematics is required and a 6+ or above in Business or a related subject

- Students may be able to study a Science subject with a 6 grade but their 4th option choice must be STEM Access forming part of your Personal Enrichment Pathway

- For Further Mathematics you will need an 8 or 9

- Short Courses count as half a GCSE

- A positive attitude in your chosen subjects and a respect for school aims, objectives and ethos

- Commitment to the expectations of the Sixth Form and the school community

- Students will not be admitted if they have not completed the appropriate paperwork

Applied Certificate in Criminology

Criminology is one of the fastest growing subject areas within social science. Students of criminology gain the chance to understand why a person becomes a criminal and the legal aspects of the criminal justice system. During the course you will gain an insight into deviancy and crime which you will apply to a wide range of contexts and example. As an area of social science it encourages students to develop the important skills of advocacy and critical thinking.

Those studying just the certificate (1 year course) will study 2 units:

Unit One:

Changing awareness of crime Internally assessed

(50% of your final grade) In this units students will look at crime and deviance. They will be expected to write a report about the different types of crimes, the complexity of crime and then design a campaign for change.

Unit Two: Criminological Theories Externally assessed

(50% of your final grade) In this unit students will be looking at the wide range of theories which can be used to explain crime and deviance. They will be looking at biological, environmental, sociological and psychological explanations for crime.

Those studying the diploma (2 year course) will study the following 4 units:

Unit One:

Changing awareness of crime Internally assessed

(25% of your final grade) In this units students will look at crime and deviance. They will be expected to write a report about the different types of crimes, the complexity of crime and then design a campaign for change.

Unit Two: Criminological Theories Externally assessed

(25% of your final grade) In this unit students will be looking at the wide range of theories which can be used to explain crime and deviance. They will be looking at biological, environmental, sociological and psychological explanations for crime.

Unit Three: Crime scene to Courtroom Internally assessed

(25% of your final grade) The criminal trial process involves many different people and agencies. Learning about the roles of these will give you a clearer insight into what happens once a crime is detected and the process that leads to either a guilty or non-guilty verdict. There are strict rules as to how evidence is collected from a crime scene and also strict rules governing the giving of evidence in court; learning about these rules will allow you to review the trial process and assess whether the aims of the criminal justice system have been met. You may be familiar with the role of the jury in the Crown Court, but you may not be aware of the many different factors that influence jury decision-making. By undertaking this unit, you will be able to assess the use of lay people in determining the fate of a suspect and evaluate the criminal trial process from crime scene to courtroom.

Unit Four: Crime and Punishment Externally assessed

(25% of your final grade) Most people in our society are law-abiding and unwilling to break laws. Law-breaking is frequently of the petty variety, so serious crime and repeat offending is often restricted to a few people who cannot or will not abide by the rules that most of us consider to be so important. Society has had to develop a complex system of mechanisms, processes and organisations to ensure that people do not break the law. If they do commit crime, society needs to be protected from their behaviour. These social institutions each have different mechanisms, ideologies and policies. You will learn something of their variety, how they work and their effectiveness in preventing and protecting us from criminality.

Teaching and learning in criminology is a combination of written assessments and application activities. Within each of the lessons students need to have the drive and determination to research specific cases of crime relevant to the course. In lesson, we will assess this learning through discussion, group work activities and essay work. The final unit will have a combination of knowledge tests and online resources to be completed to help further develop student knowledge.

You must be able to demonstrate that you have:

• The minimum requirement is three 6 grades and three others at a 5 grade

• At least a grade 4 or above in English and Mathematics

• You will require a grade 6 or above in most subjects you wish to study at A Level

• To study Criminology you will need to achieve a grade 6 in English

• To study Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages or a Science subject you will require a grade 7

• To study Economics a grade 7 or above in Mathematics is required and a 6+ or above in Business or a related subject

• Students may be able to study a Science subject with a 6 grade but their 4th option choice must be STEM Access forming part of your Personal Enrichment Pathway

• For Further Mathematics you will need an 8 or 9 and this will be your 4th A Level subject

• Photography will also be offered as a 4th A level option

• Short Courses count as half a GCSE

• You will need a positive attitude in your chosen subjects and a respect for school aims, objectives and ethos

• Commitment to the expectations of the Sixth Form and your school community

Criminology is intellectually demanding and will teach you to question the world around you. Criminology is excellent intellectual training that sharpens interpretive and analytical skills, you will also learn essay technique and how to respond to information. It is a discipline that is valued and recognised preparation for a wide range of university degree subjects. Criminology students go on to a hugely diverse range of careers from jobs in the health service, to police work, social work, to teaching and jobs in the media.