Overview
Level 3 Criminology
Not all types of crime are alike. What different types of crime take place in our society? How do we decide what behaviour is criminal? What is the difference between criminal behaviour and deviance? How do we explain why people commit crime? What happens to those who commit a crime? Why and how do we punish people? What organisations do we have in our society to control criminality?
An understanding of criminology is relevant to many job roles within the criminal justice sector, including police officers, probation and prison officers, and social workers. With their critical thinking, analytical and communication skills, criminology graduates are also attractive to employers outside the criminal justice sector in areas such as social research and politics.
The Level 3 Diploma in Criminology has been designed to provide you with underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills to progress to further study and training.
Course Content
Level 3 Criminology is made up of four mandatory units:
- Changing Awareness of Crime
- Criminological Theories
- Crime Scene to Courtroom
- Crime and Punishment
In Changing Awareness of Crime, you will develop an understanding of different types of crime, influences on perceptions of crime and why some crimes are unreported. Knowing about the wide range of different crimes and the reasons people have for not reporting such crimes provides an understanding of the complexity of behaviours and the social implications of such crimes and criminality.
Criminological Theories enables you to gain an understanding of why people commit crime, drawing on what they have learned in Unit 1. You will explore the difference between criminal behaviour and deviance and the theories behind why people commit crime.
Crime Scene to Courtroom provides you with an understanding of the criminal justice system from the moment a crime has been identified to the verdict. You will develop the understanding and skills needed to examine information in order to review the justice of verdicts in criminal cases.
In Crime and Punishment, you apply your 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.
Requirements
In order to study this course, you must have a minimum of 4 GCSEs grade 4 and above, including Maths and English.
Students studying Level 2 Forensic Science will be able to progress onto this course.
Careers
The Level 3 Diploma in Criminology has elements of psychology, law and sociology that complement studies in humanities. The main purpose of the qualification is to support access to higher education degree courses, such as:
- Criminology
- Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Criminology and Psychology
- Law with Criminology
- Criminology and Sociology
- Psychology and Sociology