Criminology (WJEC Level 3 Diploma)

Entry Requirements:

This is a level 3 course, equivalent to one A level, and has entry requirements in line with other A level equivalent (BTEC) courses.

Minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 including English or Maths or Level 2 Vocational Programme at Merit or above, plus 3 GCSEs at grades 9-4 including either English or Maths.

There are no additional entry requirements, but you must be confident with English Language.

Please Note: Criminology is a combination of Law, Psychology and Sociology.

Course details

Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminials.

WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology is aimed at developing your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of crimes and work done in the criminal justice system. The course covers a wide variety of crime related topics including biological and sociological theories of criminality, media representations of crime and many more. You will have the opportunity to acquire both practical and academic skills, and the flexibility of the course enables you to study crimes you find personally interesting.

Internal Assessment:

Component 1: Changing Awareness of Crime (Year 1)

Different types of crime and why some crimes go unreported, and how the media affects people’s perceptions of crime.

Assessed by an 8-hour controlled assessment

Component 3: Crime scene to Courtroom (Year 2)

Understand what happens to a suspect once charged, the techniques used in criminal investigations and the processes involved in the trial.

Assessed by an 8-hour controlled assessment

External Assessment:

Component 2: Criminological Theories (Year 1)

Explanations for why people commit crimes, and what makes someone a serial killer.

Component 4: Crime and Punishment (Year 2)

Why we punish people and the different ways in which society controls criminality.

Both external assessments will be 90-minute examinations, total of 75 marks, three questions on each paper. Criminology is assessed through short and extended answer questions, based on stimulus material and applied contexts. Each question will have an applied problem-solving scenario

Skills

Writing skills, description skills, application of knowledge skills, evaluation skills, independent study skills, organisation skills and time management.