Why Choose the Level 3 Diploma in Criminology?

WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology is a qualification with elements of psychology, law and sociology. The course complements studies in humanities. Criminology is an increasingly popular subject for students who have a keen interest in understanding crime. The course supports access to 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

Alternatively, 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.

What Will You Study? By studying this subject, you will get the chance to explore the different types of crime in society, looking at how people’s perceptions of crime are shaped by the societies they live in and how we decide what behaviour is criminal. You will get the chance to explore the reasons why people commit crime and what makes someone a serial killer, or abusive to their own families.

What Will You Study?

By studying this subject, you will get the chance to explore the different types of crime in society, looking at how people’s perceptions of crime are shaped by the societies they live in and how we decide what behaviour is criminal. You will get the chance to explore the reasons why people commit crime and what makes someone a serial killer, or abusive to their own families. Criminologists have produced theoretical explanations of why people commit crime, but which are the most convincing? Are these theories relevant to all types of crime? You will look at how society tackles crime through the law, policing and punishment, exploring what a ‘miscarriage of justice’ is and why such a thing occurs? You will consider what organisations we have in society to control criminality or those who will not abide by the social rules that most of us follow.

What units are studies and how is the course assessed?

• Unit 1: Changing awareness of crime (controlled assessment Year 12)
• Unit 2: Criminological theories (Exam Year 12)
• Unit 3: Crime scene to courtroom (controlled assessment Year 13)
• Unit 4: Crime and Punishment (Exam Year 13)

Unit 1 is studied in year 12 and unit 3 is studied in year 13, both are assessed in the form of a controlled assessment (coursework) which will be completed at the end of the teaching of that unit.

Unit 2 is studied in year 12 and unit 4 is studied in Year 13 and both are assessed in a 90-minute exam paper. There will be three questions on the paper, which will involve short and extended questions based on an applied problem-solving scenario.

Qualification graded A*-E at the end of the two year programme.