Criminology - Level 3 Applied Diploma

Applications Open: 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: 1st September 2026

Entry Requirements: Please see courses for more information

How to Apply: Via Kent Choices website

This qualification looks at the types of crime that take place within our society. How do we decide

which behaviour is criminal? How do we explain why some people commit crime and how can we use

different theories of criminality to explain this behaviour?

You will study real life cases in order to gain an understanding of the criminal justice system from the

crime scene all the way to the courtroom and look at how social control is achieved within our society.

Unit 1: Changing Awareness of Crime (Internal Assessment - Assignment)

In this unit you will investigate the different types of crime and public perceptions of crime. You will gain an

understanding of why some crimes go unreported to the police and media.

Unit 2: Criminological Theories (External Assessment - Exam)

This unit focuses on a series of criminological theories, allowing learners to gain an understanding of why people

commit crimes.

Unit 3: Crime Scene and Courtroom (Internal Assessment - Assignment)

This unit develops the skills needed to examine criminal cases and review verdicts. You will look at the roles of

personnel and processes involved from the moment a crime takes place, until the verdict itself is passed.

Unit 4: Crime and Punishment (External Assessment - Exam)

In this unit you will apply your knowledge of criminological theories to understand how and why we use

punishment within the criminal justice system in order to achieve social control. You will learn how to evaluate the

effectiveness of social control agencies, such as the police and prisons in achieving their aims.

Unit 1: Changing Awareness of Crime (Internal Assessment - Assignment)

Unit 2: Criminological Theories (External Assessment - Exam)

Unit 3: Crime Scene and Courtroom (Internal Assessment - Assignment)

Unit 4: Crime and Punishment (External Assessment - Exam)

5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including grade 4 in GCSE English

An understanding of criminology is relevant to many job roles within the criminal justice sector,

including Police Officers, Probation and Prison Officers, and Social Workers. With their critical

thinking, and analytical and communication skills, criminology graduates are also attractive to

employers outside the criminal justice sector in areas such as social research and politics.

The Eduqas Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology has been designed to provide learners with

underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills to progress to further study and training. The

Diploma is designed to complement study in related subjects such as A level Sociology, and

Psychology, and provide an insight into the subject area with a view to further study or training in

related subjects. It offers 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.