A-Level Equivalent Criminology

Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminals.  You will study the psychological and sociological theories of crime as well as how crime is perceived in society and the impact of the media and crime statistics. 

The way society defines crime and deviance is explored in conjunction with ways of finding out about crimes, including crimes that tend to be under-reported.  In addition, you will also examine the reporting of crime in the media to see the impact this has on public perceptions of crime.

You will also investigate the different techniques used in a criminal investigation such as forensics, policing and the judiciary process and consider the effectiveness of different strategies used to reduce criminality from custodial sentences and the impact of community orders.

You will study in depth the reasons why individuals commit crimes.  By understanding why a person commits a crime  ways of controlling crime or rehabilitating the criminal can be developed.  You will debate the reasons and the theories that try to explain why the reasons for criminality.

The course is focussed on assessing biological, individualistic and sociological theories of crime.

You will study four units during this 2 year course:

1.Changing Awareness of Crime.  You will understand how crime reporting affects the public perception of criminality, including reasons why some crimes go unreported.  You will then go on to realise how campaigns are used to elicit change and then plan a campaign for change relating to crime.

2. Criminological Theories.  You will understand social constructions, theories and causes of criminality. This will then lead to a knowledge of the causes of policy change.

3. Crime Scene to Courtroom.  Understanding the full process from the moment the crime has been identified to a verdict. You will gain an understanding of the process of criminal investigations. You will then go onto the prosecution of suspects and be able to review criminal cases.

4. Crime and Punishment.  You will learn about the different processes of the criminal justice system and the role of punishment and social control measures in England & Wales.

You will need 4 GCSEs at Grade 5 or above including Grade 4 in GCSE Maths and English Language.

You will be assessed through the taking of two exams and two internals assessed pieces of 2 controlled assessments:

Unit 1 Changing Awareness of Crime, Internal Controlled Assessment
(8 hr open book)

Unit 2 Criminological Theories, External Exam
(1 hr 30 mins)

Unit 3 Crime Scene to Courtroom, Internal Controlled Assessment
(8 hr open book)

Unit 4 Crime and Punishment, External Exam
(1 hr 30 mins)

The qualification will offer you a variety of opportunities as well as gaining an insight into the criminal mind, the UK justice systems policy and practice and societal reactions to crime.

You will be able to go on to univeristy to study Criminology at degree level.

Future career opportunities may include working in law, civil service, teaching, the probation services,  police and prisons, social work and the youth offending team.