Criminology - Single

"Criminology doesn’t just focus on the crimes themselves but also explores the way in which people’s minds work and looks at why people commit crime in the first place."

Entry Requirements

Three GCSEs at grade 4 plus a grade 5 in English Language

Subject Intent

Studying Criminology provides students with an understanding of the social implications of crimes and criminality and the impact of this on government policies and initiatives. Students acquire academic skills such as research, report writing and communication skills along with practical skills including creativity, planning and organisation.

Criminology provides the opportunity to apply knowledge to the real world, creating an awareness of the “big picture” and challenges students to hold to account, and question, decisions made on their behalf, encouraging them to engage with the society around them. The course is good preparation for studying the social sciences at university, and also prepares students for work in crime-related contexts such as policing.

Course Introduction

In the first year, we focus on understanding different types of crime and the reasons why some offences are not reported to the police or the media. How do we explain people’s reluctance to come forward to report some crimes? Often, our fear and fascination with crime is gained through the media, but is this a reliable source of information? This course looks at different campaigns to try to change awareness, policy or the law, and then students have the opportunity to plan their own campaign relating to crime. They also study social and psychological explanations for why people commit crime and how these theories can help inform policy making.

During the second year of the course, we study the aftermath of a crime, taking a journey ‘from crime scene to courtroom’, and look at the effectiveness of punishment. Each year, there is one controlled internal assessment and one external exam. You will develop the skills of independent learning, problem solving, research and presentation.

This course complements studies in Law, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy Theology & Ethics, as well as the sciences and is widely recognised by universities and employers.

Course Modules

First Year

Unit 1 - Changing Awareness of Crime:

• Why some crimes are reported more than others
• The role of the media in the public perception of crime
• Campaigns for change in the law and raising public awareness

Unit 2 - Criminological Theories:

• Psychological
• Sociological
• Biological explanations for criminal behaviour
• The usefulness of these theories in explaining criminality

Second Year

Unit 3 - Crime Scene to Courtroom

• Types of evidence e.g. forensic, surveillance and profiling techniques
• How the criminal justice system works - the process for prosecution
• Examining the justice of verdicts in criminal cases

Unit 4 - Crime and Punishment

• The role of punishment and social control
• Application of awareness of criminality learnt in previous units
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of social control in delivering criminal justice

Assessment

Units 1 and 3 are assessed internally using a controlled assessment. This assessment lasts for eight hours over a number of lessons and requires completion of various tasks related to a brief.

Units 2 and 4 are assessed externally by exam.

Course Fact

During the course, you will have the opportunity to investigate how crime is represented in the media, including newspapers, television, film and on social media

Example Career Opportunities

Police Officer | Probation Officer | Court Clerk | Solicitor | Barrister | Social Worker | Youth and Community Worker Forensic Science | Technician | Border Control Officer | Immigration Officer