Criminology BTEC

2021-2023 Specification: Head of Department: WJEC Level 3 Applied Certificate Mr Sam Shaw

Who should study this course?

Students who enjoy crime documentaries and have a keen interest in current events, the law and enjoy discussing contemporary issues involving various elements of criminality, will find this subject fascinating. Those looking towards careers in the Criminal Justice System or within Social Work, Health Care and even Education, will also find this a very useful qualification to have.

Entry requirements

Candidates should have achieved a grade 5 or higher at GCSE in English Language and a keen interest in crime-based documentary material.

What will I be studying?

The WJEC Level 3 Criminology Diploma engages student by hinging many topic areas on key criminal cases.

The first unit on the Changing Awareness of Crime requires students to analyse key criminals, such as the notorious Kray Twins.

In Unit Two, Criminological Theories, students are challenged to understand what has motivated some of the worst murder cases in UK and international history.

In Unit Three, students move on to analyse how crime investigation has evolved with the development of forensic techniques. Students will consider some high profile crimes, such as the White House Farm murders and look at how evidence eventually led to a conviction.

Finally, in Unit Four, Crime and Punishment, students analyse systems of punishment and how effective these are. This unit offers considerable opportunity for debate and exploration.

How will I be assessed?

In each year there is one internal controlled assessment and one external exam (two of each in total). Each of these assessments make up 25% of the total mark and all must be passed in order to gain a final grade.

What next?

This course will allow entry on to degree courses in the areas of Criminology, Psychology, Sociology and Law (as well as many others - results are equivalent to A Levels).

There are routes directly into the Probation Service, Courts and Tribunals Service, National Offender Management Service.

An understanding of criminology is relevant to many job roles within the criminal justice sector, social and probation work and sociology and psychology.