Criminology

What is Criminology?

Criminology is an exciting and innovative new subject option here at Gateacre. Throughout the course you will explore different aspects of criminality and the criminal justice system, with a clear emphasis on the impact that crime has upon society. You will study issues such as victimisation, the legal process in the UK as well as gaining a theoretical understanding of crime and deviance, giving you an insight into the reasons why people turn to crime and how this has real-world impacts on individuals and communities.

What will I study?

In Unit 1: Changing awareness of crime you will explore the different types of crime that people commit and the reasons behind those crimes. This unit will seek to dispel some of the myths and stereotypes surrounding crime, giving you a more accurate picture of the complexities surrounding the nature and extent of crime in society today. When it comes to public and social policy, lawmakers and politicians often turn to the academic community to provide them with the evidence and theoretical justification for their solutions to problems in society. Unit 2: Criminological theories, will provide insight into the theory of criminality and give you the opportunity to critically examine these explanations by challenging existing beliefs. Unit 3: Crime scene to courtroom, will take you on a journey from when a crime is initially detected, through to the verdict in a courtroom. Finally, Unit 4: Crime scene and punishment, will explore the societal mechanisms, processes, institutions and agencies that are involved in either preventing crime in the first instance or how society deals with offenders one a crime has occurred.

Assessment

This qualification is a Level 3 Applied Diploma using the WJEC specification. It is the equivalent of an A-level, so for example achieving an A grade in Criminology will give you 48 UCAS tariff points, just like any other A-level. Over the two year course, you will be assessed using internal controlled assessments as well as external exams. Each of the units gives equal weight to your final overall result.

If you have any questions, please speak to Mr Smith or email p.smith@gateacre.org