Criminology BTEC

Department

Social Sciences

Type of Qualifcation:

WJEC Level 3 Applied Certificate (equivalent to 1 full A Level)

Exam Board:

WJEC

Requirements:

Grade 5 in a Science, a Humanity and Mathematics

Course Content

The Level 3 Diploma in Criminology provides you with a broad insight into the Criminal Justice System, exploring the nature of crime and the thought processes around it.

Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminals, including the motivations and consequences of crime and its perpetrators, as well as preventative measures. Studying criminology can be seen as multi-disciplinary, as it contains elements of psychology, biology, statistics, law, and sociology.For example:

• Students will study different types of crime, influences on perceptions of crime, and why some crimes are unreported.

• Students will learn about why people commit crime, drawing on what they have learned in Unit 1.

• Students will develop an understanding and skills needed to examine information in order to review the justice of verdicts in criminal cases.

• Students will 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.

Style Of Assessment

Students are assessed through a portfolio of coursework (50%) and external examination (50%)

Unit 1: Changing Awareness of Crime

Unit 2: Criminological Theories

Unit 3: Crime Scene to Court

Unit 4: Crime and Punishment

Whose kind of course?

This course is designed for students who wish to continue post-16 education through applied learning with an interest in the lawsector, with the aim of progressing to higher education.

Students will learn how to apply their knowledge to authentic case studies; they will also develop various skills such as:

• skills required for independent learning and development

• a range of generic and transferable skills

• the ability to solve problems

• the skills of project-based research, development and presentation

• the fundamental ability to work alongside other professionals, in a professional environment

• the ability to apply learning in vocational contexts

Career Prospects

Criminology opens the doors to a huge range of degree courses and career paths within the criminal justice system, including:

• BSc Criminology with Law

• The National Probation Service

• The Courts and Tribunals Service

• The National Offender Management Service