Criminology - Level 3

Applications Open - 1st November 2026

Applications Close - 12th February 2027

Entry Requirements - Please refer to the Sixth Form Course Directory via the website www.knoleacademy.org

Option blocks and detailed subject information can be found in our course directory on our website www.knoleacademy.org

How to Apply - Via Kent Choices https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login

Level 3 Courses - select a minimum of 3 courses to study

Level 2 Courses - select 1 course only as each course is studied on a full time basis.

Criminology is a course that combines the subjects of psychology, law, politics and forensic science to form a discipline of its own.

Students will be exploring the causes of criminal behaviour, attitudes to crime, criminal investigations and the wider social and psychological aspects of crime. By studying the underlying causes of crime, we potentially develop solutions. Part of this is exploring ways to rehabilitate the criminal.

You will explore theories of criminality and use them to analyse criminal scenarios and put forward possible ways of improving society’s response to crime, hence reducing it.

Learners will discover how and why different people in a variety of circumstances commit crime and how the criminal justice system deals with these people. Have you ever wondered why people from different groups in society get different sentences for the same crimes? Have you ever thought about why two people from utterly different backgrounds are tempted to commit similar crimes? Is crime dictated by genetics or upbringing? These topics and more are covered in this Diploma in Criminology. If you have any interest in the inner workings of the darker side of our society and would like to complete any further education or employment in the criminal justice sector then this course is invaluable for you.

Students will study four units across the two years

Unit 1- Changing awareness of crime; learners develop an understanding of different types of crime, influences on perceptions of crime and why some crimes are unreported. Knowing about the wide range of different crimes and the reasons people have for not reporting such crimes provides an understanding of the complexity of behaviours and the social implications of such crimes.

Unit 2- Criminology theories enables learners to gain an understanding of why people commit crime, drawing on previous understanding. Learners explore the difference between criminal behavior and deviance and the theories behind why people commit crime.

Unit 3- Crime scene courtroom provides learners with an understanding of the criminal justice system from the moment a crime has been identified to the verdict.

Unit 4- Crime and punishment, learners 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.

Internal Assessment (Units 1 & 3): Assessed via 8-hour timed controlled assessments conducted under formal supervision.

External Assessment (Units 2 & 4): Assessed via 90-minute written examinations set and marked by WJEC.

Grading: Awarded grades from A to E* (equivalent to A*-E at A-Level, carrying 56 to 16 UCAS points)

Minimum of five 9-4 grades in GCSE examinations, including English and Mathematics.

Future course and possible careers:

• Social Work
• Mental Health
• Police Force
• Customs and Immigration
• Prison Services
• Court Services
• Security Services
• NHS
• Education
• Youth and Community Services