Criminology (WJEC) - Level 3 Vocational (Block C)

Applications Open: 21st November 2025 (9.00am)

Applications Close: 13th February 2026 (4.00pm)

How to apply:

- All INTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Applicaa using this link (coming soon!)

- All EXTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Kent Choices using this link https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login

- All correspondence between learners and the school after an application is made will be via Applicaa.

- All applicants (internal and external) will be invited in for a 1-1 guidance meeting.

- Those who have a successful guidance meeting will be offered a place to study at St John's Sixth Form from September 2026.

Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminals: it is a combination of Law, Psychology and Sociology. This level 3 Diploma is offered to students who have a keen interest in crime.

Course Details

Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminals: it is a combination of Law, Psychology and Sociology. This level 3 Diploma is offered to students who have a keen interest in crime.

To study this course, you need to be non-judgmental and very interested in people, society, and crime. You also need to be able to work under pressure, be innovative and really motivated. It is an intense two-year course and there will be regular homework and assignments. There are high expectations on students to achieve exceptional standards in their work. Students may find some of the content disturbing given the nature of crime, although all topics are handled sensitively.

Modules Studied

There are four areas to study: Unit 1 Changing awareness of crime: you will develop skills to differentiate between myth and reality when it comes to crime and to recognise that common representations of crime may be misleading and inaccurate. Unit 2 Criminological theories: will develop the skills to evaluate some criminological theories and know there are debates within the different theories. Unit 3 Crime Scene to Court Room: you will develop the skills to analyse evidence, review criminal cases and evaluate the evidence in the cases to determine whether the verdict is safe and just. Unit 4 Crime and Punishment: you will consider such questions such as "Why do most of us tend to obey the law?", "Why do we punish people?", "How do we punish people?" Plus, many more similar questions…

What can I do after I have completed this course?

The Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology qualification will support access to higher education degree courses, and would be especially useful if applying for a BSc or BA in any of the following areas or combination of these areas… Criminology, Psychology, Law with Criminology and Sociology, Alternatively, the qualification allows learners to gain the required understanding and skills to consider employment within some aspects of the criminal justice system, e.g. the National Probation Service, the Courts and Tribunals Service or the National Offender Management Service. Additionally, this course would be very useful for those thinking of careers such as police officer, prison officer, security services, social worker, or youth worker.

Modules Studied

There are four areas to study: Unit 1 Changing awareness of crime: you will develop skills to differentiate between myth and reality when it comes to crime and to recognise that common representations of crime may be misleading and inaccurate. Unit 2 Criminological theories: will develop the skills to evaluate some criminological theories and know there are debates within the different theories. Unit 3 Crime Scene to Court Room: you will develop the skills to analyse evidence, review criminal cases and evaluate the evidence in the cases to determine whether the verdict is safe and just. Unit 4 Crime and Punishment: you will consider such questions such as "Why do most of us tend to obey the law?", "Why do we punish people?", "How do we punish people?" Plus, many more similar questions…

How You Will Be Assessed?

During Year 1 you will study for the Certificate, in Year 2 you will progress to the Diploma.

Throughout this qualification you will study 4 units:

1. Changing awareness of crime. Assessment: mandatory internal controlled assessment.

2. Criminological theories. Assessment: mandatory external exam.

3. Crime scene to court room. Assessment: mandatory internal controlled assessment.

4. Crime and punishment. Assessment: mandatory external exam.

A minimum of 5 subjects at GCSE Grade 4/BTEC Level 2 Pass or higher:

Including

• Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature.