Curriculum Statement
The Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology is an exciting and engaging course for anyone interested in the Criminal Justice System and criminal mind. The course is made up of 4 mandatory units and students must pass all units to gain the diploma qualification. In Year 12, one controlled assessment and one exam unit is sat. This structure is then repeated in Year 13 with Units 3 and 4. The course offers an introduction to the study of criminology and allows for further progression in this field at university or within associated careers. By the end of the course, students will have a sophisticated and current understanding of crime and the Criminal Justice System in this country & the various problems it is currently facing.
Year 12
In Year 12, students will study both Units 1 and 2.
Unit 1 is a controlled assessment unit titled the ‘Changing Awareness of Crime’. Throughout this unit, students will learn about the different types of crime, how the media portrays criminality and evaluate methods used to collect crime statistics. Students will be exposed to a number of campaigns for change including Sarah’s Law and Clare’s Law. Learners will be required to independently research a number of real-life campaigns and analyse how successful they have been, against a number of different criteria. Finally, students will apply this knowledge to creating their own campaign for change, relevant to the scenario given to them. This unit culminates in an 8-hour controlled assessment.
In addition, students will study Unit 2 ‘Criminological Theories’. This is the examination unit for Year 12 and will culminate in a 90-minute examination in Term 5. Within this unit, students will explore key terminology such as crime and deviance, how crime is socially constructed & a large array of different criminal theories, in an attempt to try & explain offending behaviour. Students will have the chance to apply their learning to real life individuals, in an attempt to give some explanation for their behaviour. The unit comes to an end by exploring how policy development and punishments can be influenced by an explanations viewpoint.
Year 13
In Year 13, students will study Units 3 and 4.
Unit 3 is another controlled assessment unit titled ‘Crime Scene to Courtroom’. In this unit, learners explore the investigative process from a crime happening to a suspect appearing before court, standing trial and being found guilty or not guilty. Students learn about the various key personnel throughout the process, the investigative techniques used to try and build evidence for a case and the differences within the court structure in England and Wales. Students are required to apply their knowledge to a brief and assess how successful an investigation is.
The course finishes with the completion of Unit 4. This is the examination unit for Year 13 and is titled ‘Crime and Punishment’. This unit explores the legal sphere; looking at how laws are made by government and the judiciary. The varying models of justice and viewpoints on punishments are discussed. The main aims of punishment are explored and punishments are assessed by looking at how successful they are at meeting those aims. Debates surrounding restorative justice, retribution and rehabilitation are analysed. Finally, relationships and roles within the Criminal Justice System are examined. This unit culminates in a 90-minute exam in Term 5/6 of Year 13.
For further information, please utilise:
WJEC Criminology website – https://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/criminology-level-3/#tab_keydocuments
Tutor2U Criminology – https://www.tutor2u.net/criminology
Contact Head of Faculty: Mrs Cleaves – jcleaves@sflt.org.uk