Course: Criminology
Allerton Grange School
Course Title: Criminology Level 3
Qualification: A Level
Assessment Method: Two pieces of controlled assessment and two
exams
Entry Requirements: 5 GCSE’s grade C or above including English
Description of Course:
This is an Applied General qualification that is designed primarily to support learners progressing to
university. It offers an exciting and interesting experience through an applied learning format, i.e. through
the acquisition of knowledge and understanding in purposeful contexts linked to the criminal justice
system. The qualification supports learners’ progression from any study at Level 2, particularly GCSEs in
Sociology, Citizenship, History and Humanities.
Course content:
Learners must complete ALL four units.
Unit 1: Changing awareness of Crime - what are the different types of crime, influences on perceptions of
crime and why some crimes are unreported. This is an internally assessed piece of coursework sat under
controlled assessment
Unit 2: Criminological theories – aspects of unit one as well as the social construction of crime and why
people commit crime. Externally assessed 90 minute exam.
Unit 3: Crime Scene to courtroom - understanding the criminal justice system from the moment a crime has
been identified to the verdict. This is an internally assessed piece of coursework sat under controlled
assessment
Unit 4: Crime and Punishment – application of 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. Externally assessed 90 minute exam.
Why study Criminology?
The main purpose of the WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology is mainly to use the qualification to support
access to higher education degree courses as a standalone criminology degree or as a combination
degree with subjects that complement criminology, these include Psychology, Sociology, Law and
Criminal Justice.
Alternatively, you can 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. It complements other Social Science subjects
such as Sociology, Psychology and Law as well as allowing you to develop sound analytical skills. Many
students also look to the future and chose criminology as a route into specific occupational areas such as
the Police, forensic psychology and the probation services.
For more information please contact:
Miss N Mughal
nabilamughal@allertongrange.com
SUMMER TASK: students to choose a campaign (honour crime/slavery/drugs/knife crime)
and research the background behind why the campaign began. Students to
collect/record examples of campaigning materials. Students to then evaluate the
campaign in its effectiveness and whether it met the aims and objectives of the
campaign. Effectiveness can be determined by looking at statistics before and after the
campaign.