Level 3 Criminology

How to Apply for Maritime Academy Sixth Form

Applications open - 9.00am Monday 2 November 2026

Apply via KentChoices using this link - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login.

Entry Requirements - 4 GCSEs at Grade 5 or above (subject specific entry requirements apply)

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Whilst we do not have a deadline for receiving applications, to avoid disappointment applicants are invited to be submitted their applications as soon as possible as courses will be offered on a first come first served basis (subject to entry requirements).

Criminology combines elements of sociology, psychology, and law to explore the nature of crime and criminal justice. Over the four units, students investigate why crimes go unreported, examine biological and psychological theories of criminal behavior, follow the justice process from the crime scene to the courtroom, and evaluate the effectiveness of punishment agencies like police and prisons.

• Explore why crime happens – learn about the different explanations for criminal behaviour, including biological, psychological and sociological theories.
• Understand different types of crime – investigate crimes such as hate crime, cybercrime, white-collar crime and crimes that are often under-reported or under-represented in the media.
• Examine how crime is investigated – discover how evidence is collected and analysed, from the crime scene through to the investigation and preparation of a case for court.
• Explore the criminal justice system – learn how the police, courts, lawyers and other agencies work together to investigate crime and bring offenders to justice.
• Consider how society responds to crime – examine different forms of punishment and social control, and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing crime and reoffending.
• Challenge perceptions of crime and criminals – explore how the media, campaigns and public attitudes influence our understanding of crime, and develop the skills to analyse real-life criminal cases.

Five GCSEs grades 4-9 including grade 4 in Maths GCSE.

The qualification allows learners to gain the required understanding and skills to be able 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. This can also lead onto higher education degree courses such as BSc Criminology, BA Criminology, BA Criminology and Criminal Justice, BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology, LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology, BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology, BA (Hons) Criminology, BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology, BSc Criminology with Law.