Criminology 

Criminology is the study of the reasons why individuals commit crime. By understanding why a person commits a crime, we can develop ways to control crime and rehabilitate the criminal.

This course aims to enable you to:

• Use theories of criminality to analyse criminal situations and suggest ways of reducing crime.
• Develop the knowledge and skills to research policy in practice
• Assess campaigns for changes in awareness
• Examine information to review verdicts in criminal cases

 Key Stage 5

This WJEC / Eduqas Diploma is comprised of four mandatory units, taught chronologically, which cover the following key subject areas:

Year 12

Unit 1: Changing Awareness of Crime. Internally assessed through Controlled Assessment (25% weighting).

• Understanding different types of crime;
• Understanding how crime reporting affects people’s perception of criminality;
• Understanding of how campaigns are used to elicit change;
• Planning a campaign for change.

Unit 2: Criminological Theories. Externally assessed through public examination (25% weighting).

• Understanding the difference between crime and deviance;
• Understanding the theories of criminality (biological, sociological and psychological);
• Understanding the causes of criminality of different types of crime;
• Understanding causes of policy change.

Year 13

Unit 3: From Crime Scene to Courtroom. Internally assessed through Controlled Assessment (25% weighting).

• Understand the process of criminal investigations;
• Understand the process for prosecution of suspects;
• Be able to review criminal cases.

Unit 4: Crime and Punishment. Externally assessed through public examination (25% weighting). 

• Understand the criminal justice system in England and Wales;
• Understand the role of punishment in a criminal justice system;
• Understand measures used in social control.

Year 12/13 Criminology Curriculum Rationale and Overview

 Where will Criminology take me?

A WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology is mainly used to support access to higher education degree courses and professions such as:

• BSc / BA Criminology
• BA Criminology & Criminal Justice
• BSc Criminology & Psychology
• LLB Law with Criminology
• BA Criminology & Sociology
• BA Psychology & Sociology
• National Probation Service
• Courts and Tribunals Service
• National Offender Management Service
• The Police Force
• Forensic Psychology
• Social and Probation Work
• Prisons Services

Road Map