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Vocational Level 3
Criminology
Are you interested in the reasons behind criminal behaviour? Do you want to gain insights into the processes of the criminal justice system? Do you want to understand behaviour of those who break the law more? Or perhaps you are simply aiming for a career working in criminal justice or tackling crime.
If this sounds like you, then you could discover academic success, along with great enjoyment, by studying the complex and often absorbing world of Criminology.
Examination Board WJEC
Specification Number: 4543QD
Entry requirements: Grade 4 in English and Maths
Course Overview
Are you interested in the reasons behind criminal behaviour? Do you want to gain insights into the processes of the criminal justice system? Do you want to understand behaviour of those who break the law more? Or perhaps you are simply aiming for a career working in criminal justice or tackling crime.
If this sounds like you, then you could discover academic success, along with great enjoyment, by studying the complex and often absorbing world of Criminology.
It is an interdisciplinary subject, which means it crosses traditional subject boundaries, you are expected to draw on a number of skills that you will have developed at GCSE.
Indeed, it has strong relationships with Sociology, Psychology, Law, Business, Politics, Media Studies and Science
The WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology is a qualification with elements of psychology, law and sociology that complements many other studies. This is an Applied General qualification, designed primarily to support learners progressing to university or into higher level apprenticeships.
Entry Requirements
Entry Criteria:
All students studying a Vocational Level 3 course should have at least five GCSEs at grade 9 - 4 (A* - C) in academic subjects, including Maths at grade 4 (grade C).
Special Entry Requirements:
GCSE English Language OR English Literature at a grade 5 or above.
Students must be prepared to work long hours outside lesson time to regularly review the topics covered.
Topics
The WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology is equivalent to one A-level and consists of four mandatory units.
Course Content During the two year course students will study four compulsory units :
- Changing Awareness of Crime (Internally assessed)
- Criminological Theories (externally assessed)
- Crime Scene to Courtroom (internally assessed)
- Crime and Punishment (externally assessed)
Assessment: The WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology is assessed through a combination of two written examinations, set and marked by WJEC, and two centre-marked assignments
Assessment Information
| Area of Study | Topic |
| Changing Awareness of Crime | In Changing Awareness of Crime, learners develop an understanding of different types of crime, influences on perceptions of crime and why some crimes are unreported. Knowing about the wide range of different crimes and the reasons people have for not reporting such crimes provides an understanding of the complexity of behaviours and the social implications of such crimes and criminality. |
| Criminological Theories | Criminological Theories enables learners to Gain an understanding of why people commit crime, drawing on what they have learned in Unit 1. Learners explore the difference between criminal behaviour and deviance and the theories behind why people commit crime. |
| Crime Scene to Courtroom | Crime Scene to Courtroom provides learners with an understanding of the criminal justice system from the moment a crime has been identified to the verdict. They develop the understanding and skills needed to examine information in order to review the justice of verdicts in criminal cases. |
| Crime and Punishment | In Crime and Punishment, learners apply their understanding of the awareness of criminality, criminological theories and the process of bringing an accused to court in order to evaluate the effectiveness of social control to deliver criminal justice policy. |
In addition to studying these topics students get to experience various trips to develop their real life understanding of the legal system. A visit to Shrewsbury Prison Museum to develop their understanding of punishment and reoffending and visits to the Crown and Magistrates’ courts in Birmingham to experience first-hand the justice system in action.
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