Criminology Subsidiary Diploma Level 3

This course is for anyone interested in understanding crime, its causes, and the impact it has on society, along with prevention and the ways in which justice is administered. You will learn the reasoning behind why people break the law, why some groups are more likely to commit crime or be seen as breaking the law, as well as looking at who makes and enforces the law. The course will provide you with a range of transferable skills and compliments Sociology, Law, Psychology, Science, and Uniformed Services.

There is an optional trip to London which is offered to all Criminology students as an opportunity to see the real-life application of the theory, that they are learning. There may be trips that will enrich the curriculum that may incur additional costs.

Unit 1: Changing Awareness of Crime

• Different types of crime

• Influences on perceptions of crime

• Why are crimes unreported

Unit 2: Criminological Theories

• Why people commit crimes

• Causes of criminality

• Social changes

Unit 3: Crime Scene to Courtroom

• Legal personnel involved in criminal investigations

• The process of a trial

• Lay people

Unit 4: Crime and Punishment

• Processes of bringing the accused to court

• Aims of punishment

• Forms of punishment

• Agencies in achieving social control

You will be assessed via a controlled assessment and a summer exam.

At least 4-5 GCSEs graded 9-4 including a grade 4 or above in English.

Criminology is often used to progress onto a single discipline at university or as part of a joint honours degree. However, it is also an important component in many other degrees such as Law and Psychology, as it involves many transferable skills for other disciplines. Studying Criminology often leads to careers such as the police, forensics, or the legal profession.